AS IT HAPPENED: Miller hat-trick as Wallaroos blow away Samoa in World Cup opener

Sat, Aug 23, 2025, 12:25 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

The Wallaroos have got their tournament off to a flyer with a 73-0 win over Samoa in Salford.

The Australians were never in trouble as they blew Samoa off the park early and often.

Watch the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

It's their largest ever win at the World Cup, eclipsing the 62-0 win over South Africa in 2010.

Winger Desiree Miller crossed for a hat-trick, the third Wallaroo in the history of the World Cup to achieve this honour.

It gives them a surge of momentum as they prepare for next Saturday's must win match against the USA in York.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE

77': Halse over again, Salale red carded

Wallaroos 73-0: Caitlyn Halse takes advantage of her unexpected return to cross for her second.

It's all Piper Duck as the back-rower barges through at least three before drawing and passing for the teenager.

The tackle from Melina Grace Salale has been upgraded to a red.

75': Talakai gets her second

Wallaroos 66-0: Adiana Talakai barges over for her second from close as the Wallaroos capitalise on the space.

The hooker is unstoppable from close as she crashes over the line

73': Miller rocked by high shot

Wallaroos 59-0: Late concern for the Aussies as Desiree Miller reels away from a tackle after being collected high.

Miller is collected with a head-on-head shot by Melina Grace Salale as she steps back inside, leaving the Samoan spending the final seven minutes in the bin.

Caitlyn Halse comes on for Miller, who comes off for a HIA.

71': Wallaroos' perfect record intact

Wallaroos 59-0: The Wallaroos are intent on keeping their 0 on the scoreboard as their defence holds up.

They force another turnover, this time Tia Hinds with the tackle turnover.

66': Talakai time to shine

Wallaroos 59-0: Adiana Talakai gets in on the action as the Aussies cross for another rolling maul try.

It's an unstoppable force for the Wallaroos as the hooker touches down.

64': Miller almost gets a fourth

Wallaroos 52-0: Cecilia Smith continues her great game as she breaks the line and finds the winger.

Miller just can't find space, with the ball back inside to Piper Duck hitting the deck.

61': Story of the second half

Wallaroos 52-0: Samoa have been in control but the second half has turned into a display of Australian dominance.

Emily Chancellor is amongst others that swim through the maul and shut it down.

57': Samoa back on the attack

Wallaroos 52-0: Samoa are rolling again as they continue to hunt for their first points.

They win a penalty right on the 22 and kick for the line, but again the Aussies force the error.

51': Smith brings up 50

Wallaroos 52-0: Up comes the half century and it's Samoan heritage Cecilia Smith with the try.

Smith set up the try with a great carry earlier in the build-up, slamming it down under the posts.

Faitala Moleka, Sam Wood and Caitlyn Halse come off for Tia Hinds, Layne Morgan and Lori Cramer

49': Hoy held up

Wallaroos 45-0: Brianna Hoy almost touches down on her return from injury but Samoa rally to hold her up.

It leads to a goal line dropout that Tabua Tuinakauvadra thumps over the 22.

44': Excellent try saver stops Samoa

Wallaroos 45-0: Caitlyn Halse has come up with an unreal try saver on the line as Samoa build pressure.

The fullback stops a certain try in the corner, but the pressure stays on after another penalty.

Eva Karpani produces the rip and steal as Australia hang on for now, making a full front-row substitution.

42': Samoa coming out hot

Wallaroos 45-0: Samoa is riding the energy from the crowd in the quest for their first points.

Ana Afuie again finds space but is brought down, with the play coming back for an advantage

HALF TIME: WALLAROOS 45 - 0 SAMOA
39': Samoa held out

Wallaroos 45-0: The crowd really lifting behind the Samoans as they hunt for their first points after a nice line break from Ana Afuie.

The bench is rallying the crowd as they get the penalty five metres out, but it's overturned for a dangerous cleanout, who are not happy.

32': Miller completes the hat-trick

Wallaroos 45-0: The wingers combine as Desiree Miller crosses for her third try of the half.

Maya Stewart makes the break and offloads to her fellow winger, who races clear for the five pointer

30': Samoa working into game

Wallaroos 38-0: Samoa are trying to find some momentum as they return to their full allotment.

The crowd is doing their best to lift them but there's no stopping the Aussies so far.

25': Miller in for her second

Wallaroos 38-0: One way traffic for the Aussies as Cecilia Smith breaks the line.

This creates a massive overlap and Desiree Miller burns her defender for the try.

20': Onslaught continues for Aussies

Wallaroos 33-0: Eva Karpani adds to Australia's lead as things go from bad to worse for Samoa.

It's their fifth try of the game as the prop powers over from close.

Samoa's Ana Mamea goes to the bin for several penalties on Australia's line

18': Crowd right behind Samoa

Wallaroos 26-0: The crowd has turned right behind Samoa here with a bunch of neutrals in attendance.

They're cheering every half break and big hit as they try and will them back in the game against an onslaught of Australian attack.

14': Chance with the birthday present

Wallaroos 26-0: Co-captain Emily Chancellor gets in on the fun, with the Aussies relentless.

Maya Stewart makes the initial break and with several penalty advantages, Chancellor is the one to find the chalk for their fourth try.

10': Halse in for the third

Wallaroos 19-0: What a World Cup debut for the 18-year-old as Caitlyn Halse goes over for a lovely try.

It's a great head fake and flat ball from Faitala Moleka to put her through the gap, carrying two defenders for the try.

6': Miller Time

Wallaroos 12-0: The Wallaroos fast start continues as Desiree Miller eases over the line.

Another penalty advantage provides the chance for Australia to spin the ball out wide, with fullback Caitlyn Halse, who could've scored herself, throwing the final pass to Miller.

4': Samoa bringing the power

Wallaroos 7-0: The Samoans are trying to work their way back into the game with their power but the Aussies are on early.

Two powerful carries get them over the advantage line, but it ends in a Wallaroos lineout 22 metres out.

2': Amosa with the opener

Wallaroos 7-0: The Wallaroos are off to a flyer with Katalina Amosa via the rolling maul.

The Wallaroos' maul is dominant early on, first drawing the penalty before the hooker powers over.

KICK OFF

Faitala Moleka gets the game underway as the Australians kick the ball deep to Samoa.

They make an early mistake as the ball goes out on the full after being brought back inside the 22.

Wallaroos 73

Tries: Amosa, Miller 3, Halse 2, Chancellor, Karpani, Smith, Talakai 2

Cons: Wood 6/8, Cramer 3/3

Samoa 0

PRE GAME
KO T-MIN 5: Anthems done

The anthems are done as both teams prepare for the kickoff.

The Australians full of energy as they belt out Advance Australia Fair while the Samoans respond in kind.

Faitala Moleka to kick off for the Aussies.

KO T-MIN 20: Into the sheds

The Wallaroos go into the sheds right in front of their friends, family and fans as a big cheer goes up for the Aussies.

The Samoans follow them down the tunnel shortly afterwards arm in arm as they join together in chant.

The standing section at both ends of the ground is starting to fill up as fans trickle in.

KO T-MIN 30: Record watch

An interesting tidbit to follow along for this match, with Maya Stewart on the verge of history.

Stewart sits on 80 points, one behind Lori Cramer for the all-time point-scoring record for Australia.

The winger has 20 tries to her name, going on a magical run in 2024 to break the record set by Tricia Brown.

KO T-MIN 45: Warm ups underway

Both teams have enter the playing arena as they go through their warm-ups.

The Australians are towards the left of the ground, going through their paces with coach Jo Yapp a keen observer in the middle.

KO T-MIN 60: Unchanged teams

Both teams will line up with the same 23 they named during the week.

The Wallaroos coaches are on the field setting up as the crowd starts to filter into the ground.

KO T-MIN 70: Welcome

Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Wallaroos' opening Rugby World Cup match against Samoa in Salford.

The crowd is starting to build with a tinge of gold amongst the Scottish and Welsh fans in for the double-header.

Conditions are overcast but little chance of rain, setting up for expansive Rugby.

There's plenty of energy in nearby Manchester with the Man City-Tottenham game also on at the same time as the Pride Parade.

WALLAROOS v SAMOA TEAMS

AUSTRALIA (1-15): Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Eva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney (co-c), Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Samantha Wood, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Cecilia Smith, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse

Replacements: Adiana Talakai, Bri Hoy, Bridie O'Gorman, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Lori Cramer

SAMOA (1-15): 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'asua Makisi, Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, Lutia Col Aumua, Karla Wright-Akeli

Replacements: Lulu Leuta, Denise Aiolupotea, Tori Iosefo, Jayjay Taylor, Madisen-Jade Jamie Iva, Christabelle Onosemo-Tuilaepa, Melina Grace Salale, Faalua Tugaga

Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)

Assistant Referees: Precious Pazani (ZIM) & Amelia Luciano (USAR)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)

HOW TO WATCH WALLAROOS v SAMOA

The Wallaroos' clash with Samoa will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network.

Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 8:30 pm (AEST) with kickoff expected at 9:00 pm.

The game will also be shown on free-to-air television on 9Gem, with coverage beginning at 8:30 pm

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