Wallaroos primed for Canada rematch as maiden American voyage looms

Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 12:30 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Highlights of the Wallaroos v Fijiana Test match at GIO Stadium, Canberra.

The Wallaroos are confident that last week's win over Fijiana will have them in good standing as they press for a maiden win over World Cup finalists Canada.

The Australians are preparing for their first trip ever to the United States as part of the Pacific Four Series in April.

Watch every second of the 2026 Wallaroos season live and on demand via Stan Sport.

They will depart in the coming days, set to play the world number two side in Sacramento on April 12 (AEST) before facing the hosts in Kansas City six days later.

Sam Needs began his tenure as interim head coach with a 33-15 win over the Fijians in Canberra, blooding six new faces.

Having witnessed Canada's class last year as an assistant coach, the Wallaroos boss believes the hit-out will help their confidence as they try to avenge last year's quarter-final defeat.

“It's a really good test going into the Pac Four series," Needs said post-match. "At the moment, we've only had pressure from ourselves when we know what we're running, so it's a different type of pressure, so definitely some lessons learned there from Fiji, which is going to set us up well for Pac Four

“...I think we probably got a little bit excited with some of our set pieces at times. There were definitely a few areas to tidy up there. Overall, I think we probably were a bit slow to react to some of the transition stuff. I think the pressure they put on us on debut around the offloads and a couple of little snipes they had, I think that's a really good awareness piece to where we're at.

“We know Canada's going to play a real similar game so I think it's a really good starting point for us to take in there but across the board, a few areas to tighten up.”

Captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona is one of several who featured in last year's dual defeats to the Canadians, who would go on to make the World Cup final for the first time in 11 years.

With one eye towards the future and the 2029 World Cup, the back-rower believes they can take real confidence from the tough victory in the nation's capital.

“It's just that long-term goal. We've got six debutants and it means that we're trying to get some international test matches under their belt early," Palu Sekona believes.

"They are our future so if this is what they can produce in their first game, imagine what they can do by the time the World Cup comes.

“...We've got to give credit to Fiji. Every year they continue to grow, which means our first matches before going to [face] more top tier teams is going to be a real testament to us in terms of our prep and keeping us honest.

"We know those sides and Fiji play a very different game so it's up to use to see how we adapt and progress through that Pac Four series."

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