The Wallaroos suffered a disastrous 32-25 defeat to the United States in their Pacific Four clash, which will probably make them miss out on qualifying for the WXV Elite Rugby competition 1.
In their second test under new coach Jo Yapp, the Australians took control on Friday night at AAMI Park in Melbourne, leading 20-8 at half-time.
But the Americans ran in four tries in the second half to secure their first victory in the four-man competition.
Layne Morgan was kept over the line in the 76th Minute as the Wallaroos desperately looked to level the scores.
The Wallaroos now need a win in their FINAL MATCH in Auckland against New Zealand, whom they have never smacken before, and also earn a bonus point to avoid finishing last among the Pacific Four.
Otherwise, the Australians are relegated to the WXV 2 League in South Africa from September to October, while the United States, Canada and New Zealand join the top three teams of the women’s Six Nations in WXV 1 in Ottawa, Canada.
Yapp was delighted with her team’s performance in the first half, but said the United States was allowed to control the second term.
“It was a two-half game-in the first half we showed a big improvement over last week and we played the way we wanted to play,” said the former England half-back.
“In the second half we just didn’t get a foothold early enough and we didn’t come out clean, and unfortunately we followed the game.
“It was a match that we wanted to win, but now we are watching WXV 2 and it is a different challenge for us that we will take up.
“These are difficult lessons to learn.”
The Wallaroos subdued Canada in their opening match in Sydney in the last round, but believed in their chances against the United States, which was ranked five places lower at world number 10.
They made a flying start with winger Desiree Miller in the fourth Minute before Flanker Ash Marsters increased the lead to 12-3 with a quick run over the line.
After their first try was disallowed, there was no stopping Maya Stewart a few minutes after, when the home team took a 14-point lead.
The United States, coached by former Wallaroos assistant Sione Fukofuka, scored their first try thanks to Hooker Kathryn Treder, but the Wallaroos looked comfortable during the Break.
AMERICAN prop Hope Rogers crashed over in the first eight minutes of the second half for two tries so that his team could equalize.
The Wallaroos went ahead after Georgina crossed for Friedrichs after a strong carry from Piper Duck, but the visitors kept coming.
A converted try from winger Lotte Clapp in the 62nd Minute gave them a 27-25 lead, which they extended seven minutes after by centre Mata Hingano.