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37th minute: <\/strong>Samoa finally get a chance inside the Wallaroos quarter, forcing a lineout. They win it and go right through Ana Mamea <\/strong>who is back on the field after her yellow card. Australia\u2019s Karpani infringes at the ruck and Samoa play on quickly. The crowd are on their feet now. They want the Samoans to get a sniff of hope before halftime. Here they come, phase after phase\u2026 one metre out now\u2026.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 45-0 Samoa (Desiree Miller 32′)<\/p>\n Miller gets her hat-trick! She and her fellow winger Maya Stewart<\/strong> looped around to the right and outflanked the Samoans. Miller made the initial bust before finding her No 14 in support but the powerful winger stayed on her hip all the way and when the final tackle came on Stewart, she was there to take the inside ball. Wood continues her sweet night off the tee and slots the conversion.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.41 EDT<\/p>\n 30th minute: <\/strong>Samoa are playing catchup footy, going wide in side their own quarter. This time the long pass from Fa\u2019asua Makisi<\/strong> to her winger Falanik i<\/strong>s telegraphed by the Australians as Maya Stewart<\/strong> does what the Nelson Bay Gropers taught her in the early days and gobbles her up in a flash.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 26th minute:<\/strong> A rare mistake by Australia as a kick for touch goes long. But again Samoa err in return with a fumble from the base of the maul. They need to lift their discipline in a hurry or Australia could hit the half-century by halftime.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 38-0 Samoa (Desiree Miller 24′)<\/p>\n Desi doubles up! That came from a brilliant turnover on halfway which Cecilia Smith turned in to a break Halse seized on, spinning it left to Georgina Friedrichs who shovelled it straight to Miller who put her head down, set the pig tails flying and sprinted for the corner and Australia\u2019s sixth try.<\/p>\n Desiree Miller skips past the challenge of Samoa’s Lutia Col Aumua before going on to score her second, and Australia\u2019s sixth, try. Photograph: Craig Brough\/Action Images\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.34 EDT<\/p>\n TRY! Australia 33-0 Samoa (Eva Karpani 20′)<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s maul is rocking and rolling and again it closes ranks and rattles downfield at speed. Eva<\/strong> Karpani<\/strong> can\u2019t be stopped \u2013 she crosses for yet another try. That was the 13th try in gold for the Southern Suburbs legend who is in her 38th Test. Wood kicks a nice conversion from outside the right post to make it a 33-point margin.<\/p>\n To make matters worse, Samoa\u2019s Ana Mamea<\/strong> has been yellow-carded for being offside in that rearguard action. Samoa down to 14 for the next 10 minutes!<\/p>\n Australia’s Eva Karpani scores their side’s fifth try of the game. Photograph: Mike Egerton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.29 EDT<\/p>\n 18th minute:<\/strong> Finally, some signs of life from the Samoans! This time it\u2019s frontrowers Ana Mamea and Avau Filimaua<\/strong> splitting the gold line and ripping upfield in tandem. Lovely short ball work between the two but eventually Australia stop bouncing off the runners and bring them to ground. Direct, physical, enterprising \u2013 that\u2019s what Samoa can do!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.22 EDT<\/p>\n TRY! Australia 26-0 Samoa (Emily Chancellor 15′)<\/p>\n Emily Chancellor<\/strong> scores for Australia! Wonderful moment for the skipper from the Sydney University Club in her 31st Test. Australia are controlling territory, playing patiently and ruthlessly. Samoa, in their first World Cup, are in total shock.<\/p>\n Emily Chancellor goes over for Australia\u2019s fourth try of the game. Photograph: Mike Egerton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.28 EDT<\/p>\n 13th minute:<\/strong> The mouthguard of Samoa\u2019s Sinead Ryder<\/strong> is flashing red and that means the technology has detected heavy G-forces to the head. Fascinating device that could revolutionise the game. Right now the revolutions are all with the women in gold as Eva Karpani<\/strong> rumbles it upfield and Piper Duck<\/strong> scoots around the ruck. Michaela Leonard<\/strong> charges for the line but is held up a metre short. Can the captain do better?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 19-0 Samoa (Caitlyn Halse 11′)<\/p>\n Halse is over! A flat ball from Moleka and she speareed through the defensive line, fended one and dived through the tackle of another to score Australia\u2019s third try. Great effort from the young Camden Rams prodigy in her 12th Test. Samantha Wood adds the extras from just outside the right post. Wallaroos on fire early!<\/p>\n Caitlyn Halse of Australia breaks past Lutia Col Aumua of Samoa as she dives in to score her team\u2019s third try. Photograph: David Rogers\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.21 EDT<\/p>\n 8th minute:<\/strong> Powerful carries from the kickoff get Australia over the advantage line, but it ends in a Wallaroos lineout 22 metres out which is stolen by Samoa. That will lift them. But the Wallaroos have a rush defence which isn\u2019t giving an inch. Samoa captain Sui Pauaraisa picks and drives but is rocked by heavy defence and Australia have the steal\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 12-0 Samoa (Desiree Miller 6′)<\/p>\n Desi does it again! The pig tailed winger crosses in the corner after fast hands to the left. Halse probably could have crossed herself but offloaded for Miller in space. Australia are off to a fast start here and Samoa have to settle things down or risk a cricket score.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s Desiree Miller scores their second try. Photograph: Craig Brough\/Action Images\/ReutersMiller celebrates with Georgina Friedrichs. Photograph: Craig Brough\/Action Images\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.18 EDT<\/p>\n 4th minute:<\/strong> More great play by Australia as Caitlyn Halse<\/strong> rips a fast ball out to pocket rocket winger Desiree Miller<\/strong>. She shimmies and shakes but can\u2019t get far. Australia have to settle for a lineout 20m out from the Samoa line<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Australia 7-0 Samoa (Katalina Amosa 2′)<\/p>\n Lovely lineout win by the Wallaroos and they shift in to a rolling maul that thunders upfield for Katalina Amosa to crash over for the try of Australia\u2019s campaign! Great try from the Southern Districts hooker in her seventh Test\u2026 and they add the extras.<\/p>\n Australia’s Emily Chancellor (right) and teammates celebrate after Katalina Amosa scores their first try. Photograph: Craig Brough\/Action Images\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.08 EDT<\/p>\n 1st minute:<\/strong> High emotion for both sides during the anthems with the tears falling freely. Australia\u2019s Faitala Moleka kicks us underway and straight away Samoa have erred, fumbling the kick and giving Australia an early glimpse of the line.<\/p>\n The emotion isn\u2019t restricted to the players. Photograph: Adrian Dennis\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.12 EDT<\/p>\n Here we go, folks. Players from both sides are on the field and anthems are underway. First, a rousing version of Advance Australia Fair and now\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s a cloudy day in Salford but skies are clear and the forecasters don\u2019t predict rain. That should make for a fast and entertaining game, with both these sides loving to throw caution to the wind with their attack.<\/p>\n The crowd is starting to trickle in for this game and the Scotland-Wales clash to follow. There\u2019s a festive atmosphere in Salford town I\u2019m told, with Manchester also humming with the energy of the Manchester City-Tottenham Hotspur game and the Pride Parade.<\/p>\n Rob Kitson<\/strong> is home from covering the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia and, clearly still energised from the pint of Guinness I slid in to his mitt a fortnight back, found the time to run the rule over what can be a historic tournament for global rugby.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Australia and Samoa find themselves in the \u201cpool of death\u201d headed by England \u2013 the world\u2019s No 1 side and the favourites for this tournament \u2013 and the dangerous USA.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re following the form, here\u2019s the Guardian\u2019s definitive guide to how the 2025 pools are arranged\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Women\u2019s rugby is on the rise and with Australia primed to host the 2029 Women\u2019s RWC, Jack Snape<\/strong> believes the sport is on the cusp of something special\u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n This World Cup kicked off a few hours ago with England\u2019s Red Roses ensuring the host nation extended a warm welcome to the USA. Both Australia and Samoa will have been watching this game closely as they share a pool with both sides.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n SAMOA TEAM TO PLAY AUSTRALIA (1-15):<\/strong><\/p>\n Ana Mamea, Avau Filimaua, Glory Aiono, Ana-Lise Sio, Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Sinead Ryder, Sui Pauaraisa (c), Utumalama Atonio, Ana Afuie, Harmony Vatau, Drenna Falaniko, Fa\u2019asua Makisi, Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, Lutia Col Aumua, Karla Wright-Akeli<\/p>\n Replacements: <\/strong>Lulu Leuta, Denise Aiolupotea, Tori Iosefo, Jayjay Taylor, Madisen-Jade Jamie Iva, Christabelle Onosemo-Tuilaepa, Melina Grace Salale, Faalua Tugaga<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY SAMOA<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Faliki Pohiva (#219 – Blacktown Scorpions) \u2013 4 caps Reserves<\/p>\n 16. Adiana Talakai (#182 – Sydney University) \u2013 18 caps The Wallaroos are boosted by the return of prop Brianna Hoy<\/strong> who will come off the bench in her first game since rupturing her ACL during a training session in Ireland last September. Experienced pair Asoiva Karpani<\/strong> and Cecilia Smith<\/strong> return to the starting line-up with the latter notching her 25th Test cap since debuting in 2022.<\/p>\n Veteran outside back Lori Cramer also comes into the matchday 23 as a utility on the bench. Kaitlan Leaney<\/strong> will become the 20th captain of the Wallaroos, joining back-rower Emily Chancellor<\/strong> in sharing the captaincy duties tonight.<\/p>\n
2. Katalina Amosa (#218 – Southern Districts) \u2013 6 caps
3. Asoiva Karpani (#171 – Southern Suburbs) \u2013 37 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (c) (#179 – SCU Marlins) \u2013 31 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 – Tuggeranong Vikings) \u2013 38 caps
6. Piper Duck (#185 – Tumut Bullettes) \u2013 18 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (c) (#158 – Sydney University) \u2013 30 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 – Orange Emus) \u2013 18 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 – Kalamunda Rugby) \u2013 7 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) \u2013 22 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 – Eastern Suburbs) \u2013 19 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (#190 – Leeton Dianas) \u2013 24 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) \u2013 34 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 – Nelson Bay Gropers) \u2013 18 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Camden Rams) \u2013 11 caps<\/p>\n
17. Brianna Hoy (#203 – Coffs Harbour Snappers) \u2013 8 caps
18. Bridie O\u2019Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) \u2013 33 caps
19. Ashley Fernandez (#221 – Uni-North Owls) \u2013 4 caps
20. Ashley Marsters (#117 – Boroondara) \u2013 41 caps
21. Layne Morgan (#188 – Merewether Carlton) \u2013 36 caps
22. Tia Hinds (#222 – Randwick) \u2013 6 caps
23. Lori Cramer (#172 – University of Queensland) \u2013 30 caps<\/p>\n