Among Siokapesi Palu Sekona’s many impressive qualities as Wallaroos captain is her uncompromising approach.
As such, it does not come as a shock to learn she feels the Wallaroos still have much room for improvement following their dominant 56-12 win over Scotland in this afternoon’s Global XV Series Test.
The eight-tries-to-two victory did not represent a complete performance in Palu Sekona’s eyes, which should serve as music to the ears of Wallaroos supporters.
Why?
It shows the Wallaroos are setting the highest possible standards for themselves.
“We still know there is room for improvement and we definitely know what to do to clean that up,” Palu Sekona said.
Wallaroos skipper Siokapesi Palu Sekona put in a solid shift on both sides of the ball. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)
The Wallaroos defeated Scotland 30-10 three weeks ago in Edinburgh during their three-Test swing through Great Britain and France as part of the Global XV Series.
The victory snapped a six-match losing streak but left Wallaroos players and coaches dissatisfied.
It was a sign of the Wallaroos’ quickly developing harder edge, which Palu Sekona wants carried through to the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We knew we could put together a better performance,”
she said.
“Ultimately results and scores are what people look at. But if we want to break down our rugby, there are so many things to clean up.
“From discipline, to our ruck, to the accuracy of our set-piece. There are things we can continue to work on.”
Wallaroos set bar high
The Wallaroos, ranked seventh in the world, are starting from behind scratch when compared to teams such as England and New Zealand.
Both enjoy the benefit of being full-time programs, with their respective governing bodies making a wise move to invest in the women’s game.
The Wallaroos are still semi-professional, but a shift to full-time status — as part of an integrated program alongside the women’s sevens squad — is in progress.
There is no doubt the Wallaroos’ rate of improvement will be accelerated once they go full-time in the lead-up to the World Cup, which Australia will host.
“We don’t want to only be the better versions of ourselves,” Palu Sekona said.
“We want to be the best in the world.“
Winger Amelia Whitaker scored a double in the Wallaroos’ victory. (Getty Images/Corbis: Steve Christo)
The Wallaroos’ makeshift coaching team, under the leadership of Rugby Australia’s director of women’s high performance Tim Walsh, has had a positive influence on the playing group.
Sione Fukofuka will take over as head coach next year and work alongside Walsh, who enjoyed tremendous success in charge of the Australian women’s sevens squad.
Like Palu Sekona, Walsh was not completely satisfied with the Wallaroos’ display against Scotland.
But he saw enough to know they are heading in the right direction.
“I think it was another step forward, for sure,” Walsh said.
The Wallaroos will complete their 2026 Test season when they meet Scotland in Canberra on Friday night.
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