Bizarre scenes as Test played in front of no fans as Australia no match for Canada's forward might
Updated . First published at
A game Australia was ultimately no match for Canada's forward might as their Pacific Four Series opener was played in front of no fans.
Lightning strikes in the area meant kickoff in Sacramento was delayed until 8.14pm local time after being scheduled for 7pm.
But while officials decided it was safe for players to take the field, no spectators were allowed into Heart Health Park.
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Due to the hazardous weather, it was determined that the game would be played without spectators. Getty
World No.2 Canada won the match 24-0 but were made to work hard in the wet by a scrappy Wallaroos side.
The scoreline was an improvement from the 46-5 thrashing that Canada handed Australia in last year's Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
Julia Omokhuale, Pamphinette Buisa, Asia Hogan-Rochester and Kiki Idowu scored Canada's tries behind a dominant scrum.
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Nicole Ledington of the Wallaroos is tackled by Taylor Perry of Canada. Getty
The Wallaroos finished the match with just 13 players as hooker Brittany Merlo and centre Cecilia Smith copped yellow cards.
The tournament is a trial for interim Wallaroos coach Sam Needs, with Rugby Australia to make a decision on a long-term appointment after the series wraps up later this month.
"That game was almost unplayable," Australia captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona said.
Siokapesi Palu Sekona. Stan
"The constant delay, then that rain, the cold, the grounds - like there are a lot of things that weren't in in our control. But in saying that, there's positives to take away.
"Although we didn't get on the scoreboard, we applied a lot of pressure, and that's just something that we can control...
"It's us being better than the last version of ourselves. You can see with the scoreboard, there's a huge shift from that last quarter-final game back at the World Cup."
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp and assistant Sam Needs at Sydney Grammar School. Getty
Needs saw some positives despite the loss.
"The weather for both sides made for uncharacteristic mistakes," he said.
"It was hard to get the ball wide and it was hard to control the ball. The result doesn't reflect the effort we put in and how we won some really big moments.
"We didn't execute some opportunities in the first half and in the second half we might've only got one or two chances. There were moments where our defence really stepped up. It's hard to judge the attack for both sides, it was very scrappy.
"There were positive moments of our set piece but then other moments that need to be tidied up ahead of the USA."
Australia's next match is against the United States in Kansas City on Saturday (AEST).
Mererangi Paul of the New Zealand Black Ferns gets past Bella Vogel of the USA Eagles for a try. Getty
Australia is ranked seventh in the world and the United States are eighth.
In the earlier game on Sunday (AEST), New Zealand outclassed the United States 48-15.
Winger Mererangi Paul scored a hat-trick and fullback Renee Holmes grabbed a double for New Zealand, who lost prop Tanya Kalounivale to a second half red card.
