Never can a 47-7 defeat have felt so satisfying for Australia’s rugby women as their hammering by hosts England still couldn’t stop them marching into the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

The Wallaroos had to avoid a 76-point defeat by the rampant tournament favourites to book their place in the last-eight and their excellent, ferocious first-half display in Brighton on Saturday (Sunday AEST) effectively ensured that grim prospect was never really on the cards.

Instead, in front of a 30,000 crowd including the Princess of Wales, Australia were left celebrating the chance to cause an upset in next Saturday’s (Sunday AEST) quarter-final against Canada, the world’s no.2 side who had earlier beaten Scotland 40-19 in Exeter to maintain their unbeaten record.

Skipper Siokapesi Palu, who led he

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