Wallaroos qualify for the World Cup

August 2009.

Australias Wallaroos secured the Oceania position in the Word Cup draw by beating Samoa 87-0 in a must win qualifier

I am very pleased with the girls. They played to the plan and they played well. They have worked very hard and were going to London for the World Cup in 2010, head coach John Manent said.

Kristy Giteau, the big sister of Wallabies super star Matt Giteau, made her debut for Australia in the first half and proved her ability by scoring her first try at the nine minute mark.

I had to double check that I had actually placed it down properly, Giteau said. I took a double look and realised that I had scored a try, and then the grin on my face just grew.

Australian captain Cheryl Soon was extremely happy with her teams 87-0 result.

I didnt expect that. I am very honoured and very proud of the girls and their performance they put on, Soon said.

I asked several things of them and they went out there and did itwe executed our game plan which resulted in a huge win for us.

Five debutants earned their first cap for Australia; they were Cobie Morgan, Kristy Giteau, Emerna Marsh, Rebecca Clough and Ashleigh Hewson.

Australia scored a hat trick of eight tries and three conversions in the first half to give them a handsome 46-0 lead over Samoa at the break.

The depth of the Wallaroos talent was evident with seven player putting points on the board in the first 40 minutes of play.

Ruan Sims scored two tries at the two minute and 24 and a half minute marks. Nicole Beck also put two tries on the board at the 17 and a half and 38 minute marks.

Kristy Giteau, Rebecca Trethowan, Tricia Brown and debutant Cobie Morgan scored the other four tries in the first half, and Tui Ormsby put a further six points on the board by converting three tries for Sims, Beck and Morgan.

The Wallaroos continued to power towards World Cup qualification after the break when they dominated play and kept Samoa scores.

Lock Kate Porter, a Services representative and member of the Australian Army, scored the first try for the Wallaroos at the 43 and a half minutes, which extended their lead to 51-0.

Rebecca Trethowan then scored two quick tries at the 56 and 57 and a half minute marks respectfully, but unfortunately none of these tries were converted.

Chris Ross scored next and put an extra five points on the board. Debutant Ashley Hewson made a conversion to take the Wallaroos lead to 68-0.

Then Sharni William, Seei Sau and Kylie Pennell all scored a try each, and Hewson made a further two conversions for Sau and Pennell to seal the Wallaroos 87-0 victory over Samoa to gain a berth into the 2010 World Cup in England.

I think now after having such a solid performance, I think it is realistic that were not just going to the World Cup, were going and we are going to be really competitive if not in the top two, Giteau said. I think it is going to be a really awesome experience and something that were all looking forward to.

Image: IRB