Pressure from Australia ‘exactly what England wanted’, says Natasha Hunt

The pressure England faced in their final World Cup pool match against Australia was “exactly what the team wanted and something they didn’t know they needed”, according to the Red Roses scrum-half Natasha Hunt.

England were tested by Australia in Brighton on Saturday, with Jo Yapp’s side scoring the first try of the contest and preventing their opponents from scoring until the 33rd ­minute. ­England ultimately solved the ­problems they encountered to pull away in the second half to win 47-7 and set up a quarter-final against Scotland on Sunday.

“It’s exactly what we wanted,” Hunt said. “Coming into it, we didn’t know we needed that but I think, on reflection, it was fantastic for us. ­Australia really brought it, especially in that first half. We felt pressure we hadn’t felt in the start of the tournament so far and it was really good for us to get that under our belt. Also to work out that rugby contest and come out with a scoreline like that is a ­testament to the girls.”

The host side were happy with their defensive performance, something the centre Meg Jones expressed by paraphrasing an Alex Ferguson adage. “We know defence is going to win championships and it’s going to win games for us,” the 28-year-old said. “We have got full strength and belief in the fact that our defence is solid. We trust it massively. Kicking the ball away, we are happy to do that. We are happy to show we have a defensive set and be comfortable without the ball.

“Sunts [Sarah Hunter, the ­England defence coach] is passionate about it, she is passionate about the game and she has been a leader for so many years. She has built that into the ­leadership group but particularly myself; I have worked closely with her and we want to take a bit of pride in that. When Sunts speaks, we ­listen. She is really clear with the ­com­munication she has and we trust her massively.”

Alex Matthews captained the ­England side against Australia and was also pleased with the nature of the victory. “I think it was how the girls came together,” the No 8 said.

“How we had problems to solve, how we were still calm, composed at half-time. We stuck to the game plan and had confidence in each other. We stuck by each other which is what you need in these big tournaments.”

While England are expected to ­welcome back the captain Zoe ^­Aldcroft from injury for the match against Scotland, they will be ­without Ellie Kildunne. The star full-back was taken from the pitch against the Wallaroos because of concussion and is now in a mandatory 12-day ­stand-down period. The Red Roses have options in regards to stand‑ins at No 15 with Helena ­Rowland and Emma Sing among those in contention.

Hunt, who plays with Sing at Gloucester-Hartpury, said: “We have an incredible squad, Emma Sing can step in and is the person who has beaten the most defenders in the PWR [Premiership Women’s Rugby]. We are really blessed with the squad that we have got. We want Els to be OK. I am sure she will be and we will look after her.”

Hunt is also excited about facing Scotland, a side England have not lost against since 1999. “We know so many of the girls, playing with them or against them in the PWR for so many years,” the scrum-half said. “Some are good friends. It’ll be a good battle.”

The other three quarter-finals have also been confirmed, with Australia facing the world No 2 side Canada, who topped their pool with three bonus‑point wins. Another rugby rivalry will be ­reignited with the six‑time World Cup winners New ­Zealand taking on South Africa on Saturday in Exeter. The ­Springboks are in the last eight of the tournament for the first time and, while the odds will be stacked against them, they will be searching for more history.

After losing against the Black Ferns, Ireland finished Pool C ­runners-up which means they will face France in a quarter-final in ­Exeter on Sunday. The last time the two nations played each other was in the Six Nations this year, with France winning 27-15.