The Wallaroos may have opened their 2025 campaign with a record-busting win, but the experience of playing at Salford Community Stadium saw the side overcome several unique challenges.
Taking a 45-0 lead at halftime, the crowd quickly got behind the underdog Samoan outfit as they spent sustained time in Wallaroo territory. It was an experience that proved particularly strange for Faitala Moleka.
Watch the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
“I don't think it's actually sunk in yet,” Moleka said to reporters post-match.
“I'm still kind of getting my head around that I'm at a World Cup.
“It's such a humbling experience to have my first World Cup game against my home country. With the heart and passion that they showed on the field, that's why I love my country so much.
“It's such a surreal moment. I take that personally. Although they're cheering for Samoa, I'm also cheering inside as well, coming from Samoa, obviously.
“Just how our culture is and the way that we bring the vibes to the field. It's such a heartwarming thing to see when the whole crowd is backing us.”
The sound was also a challenge for Brianna Hoy and Caitlyn Halse, who both enjoyed strong performances against the Samoans.
“It's a credit to Samoa and their culture,” Hoy added.
“They have that presence that invites anyone and everyone in and makes them feel like family.
“But off the back of it, sitting on the bench and hearing that really excites me. It's something I love actually: potentially not having the crowd with you and I think just as a team it forces us to tie together even more and really go back to our processes.”
“It's loud,” Halse added, fresh off her two-try performance and becoming the youngest ever World Cup Wallaroo.
“They had a couple of plays where they were at our line and ‘Samoa’ was the only word I could hear on that field, I couldn't hear anyone next to me. The crowd definitely got around them.”
Despite the external pressure and strong Samoan physicality, the Wallaroos weathered the storm well, with Moleka happy with how the side started - especially in combination with Halse.
“One of our points today was coming out fast,” Moleka explained.
“Throughout the week, we didn't really come out fast during our training sessions. But we definitely came out fast this game. I was gassed by the 15th minute, I thought it was halftime.
“That just shows how much grit and intensity us as a whole team executed in terms of our game… I'm so proud of the girls for really ripping it in the last quarter.
“I think a lot of our [hers and Halse’s] connection and synergy just came from competing against each other and playing with each other throughout our younger years. Kind of a little league Benji Marshall short ball… just trusting that she'll be there.”
“Me and Tala have played a lot of youth footy together, whether that’s Sevens on XVs,” Halse echoed.
“We have a good connection and definitely during training, [she’s] always looking for me as an option.
“During that warm up, you've just got to have a mental switch on and then get on to it and do what you do.”
The win was a particularly important one for Hoy, with the prop making her first appearance in gold in 10 months after overcoming an ACL injury.
“Anyone that's been through a longer term injury, you have those ups and downs, physically, emotionally, mentally,” Hoy said.
“You do doubt yourself, whether you are going to get to your goal, whether that be short term or long term. The feeling of running on with my mates at that time, obviously I was ecstatic to be there.”
The record-breaking result has proven a huge confidence boost for the side, with the result seeing the Wallaroos sit atop Pool A after the first round of games.
However, the women in gold know that their next against the USA looms as arguably the most important of the tournament, the winner likely in line for the second quarter final spot available in the pool.
“What… that’s our biggest win?! Holy, that’s crazy!” Moleka laughed.
“That's a good note to start off with. Hopefully we can take the confidence of how we played in this game. There's definitely so much things to improve on as we move on to USA next week. Just be confident in our own abilities and give the same performance next week.”
“That should really boost our confidence,” Halse added.
“I think our defence, it showed today that we've been really working on it.
“To not let someone in and they score zero points, I think that's a real testament to our defensive effort… [but] it keeps ramping up and up.”
“I think it's one thing to put a few points on the board, but it's another thing to keep a team scoreless for 80 minutes,” said Hoy.
“Whilst there's plenty to work on around the park and in all areas, it does set us on a really good foot leading into this next very crucial game for us, and the following one after that.”
