Bruce Perkins

On the Wallaroos side we have Jo Yapp, a (relatively) new coach picking her first team and causing one or two upsets in the process. For the Maple Leafs Kévin Rouet is building a squad that looks increasingly potent.

We can sense the strengths and weaknesses of the current women’s game in England by comparing two consecutive days of cricket.

Inside ten minutes the Black Ferns had scored four tries. The Eagles held the first scrum well, but when the ball spun out to Katelyn Vahaakolo, she waltzed past Emily Henrich as if she was a ghost.

Canada looked like a well-oiled machine as they forced the Wallaroos into submission.

The performance of England’s top order leaves us wondering just how successful the team can be at World Cup level. The recovery started by Heather Knight and Amy Jones and ensured by the spinners restores our confidence.

Round 15, the first since the Six Nations, ended like this:

There are two matches this weekend, one on Friday, the other, Black Ferns v Maple Leafs, two days later. Both home unions are setting great emphasis on attracting crowds; NZR to match the gates now seen regularly in Europe. For the Wallaroos it will be a first visit to Melbourne, and Melbourne is the heart and soul of Rugby League, so the turn-out will be interesting.

In a big upset the USA Eagles turned the Melbourne game around to inflict a stunning defeat on the Wallaroos.

England romped to an easy win, thus taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Canada beat the Black Ferns for the first time in eighteen attempts, and away from home.