Australia start Women's Rugby World Cup with record rout of Samoa

Australia launched their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign with a record-breaking 73-0 thrashing of Samoa in Salford on Saturday.

The Wallaroos ran in 11 tries, with wing Desire Miller scoring a first-half hat-trick.

Desiree Miller is a hat trick hero! 🦸‍♀️#RWC2025 | #AUSvSAM pic.twitter.com/S7W8R7IlA8

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) August 23, 2025

Australia surpassed both their previous highest points tally for a World Cup match – 62-12 against South Africa in 2006 – and largest winning margin at the global showpiece of 62-0, also against South Africa, in 2010.

It was the second utterly lopsided Pool A game in as many days after tournament hosts and favourites England launched the competition with a 69-7 hammering of the United States in Sunderland on Friday.

But so dominant were the Wallaroos, coached by former England captain Joanne Yapp, they lead the group on points difference from the Red Roses.

Fullback Caitlyn Halse, the youngest player to represent Australia at a Women's World Cup at the age of 18, scored arguably the best of the first half-tries when hitting a brilliant line to sprint clear.

"It was a bit nerve-wracking going out there, seeing so many fans but once I got my hands on the ball I was good to go," said Halse.

"I had a couple of the older girls get around me, and calm me down and then I was straight into the game and got my hands on the ball."

Samoa, ranked 15th in the world, are competing at their first Women's World Cup since 2014 and, with half of the team having to self-fund their involvement, there has long been concerns about just how competitive they would be at this edition.

With the World Cup expanded to 16 teams from 12, blow-out scorelines in the pool phase were always a possibility.

"We knew Australia were going to be tough," said Samoa coach Ramsey Tomokino, adding: "Our players now understand what it's like to be at a Rugby World Cup. It's not the result we wanted, but credit to Australia."

Saturday's success sets up Australia for a highly charged clash with the United States next week to determine who will likely qualify alongside England for the quarterfinals.

Samoa face another likely gruelling clash against England, with their task made harder after Melina Grace Salale was sent-off late in Saturday's match.

England coach John Mitchell, speaking after his side's rout of the Eagles, said he intended to rotate his squad against Samoa.

But given England won a fourth successive Grand Slam while effectively playing two different sides during this year's Women's Six Nations, there is every chance they will condemn Samoa to another heavy defeat.