Brave Reds fall to Fijian flourish in Super Rugby Women’s

At today’s Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s debut at Ballymore Stadium, the valiant Queensland Reds fought hard before losing 32–21 to the two-time champions from Fiji.

Just after the hour, the Reds’ courageous team was applauded by a boisterous crowd as two consecutive fightback tries in the next five minutes cut the deficit to 22-21.

Even though the Fijian Drua were larger across the field, last-line defender Lori Cramer and winger Caitlin Urwin occasionally took down attackers who weighed 15 kg more.

 

Ultimately, the Fijians were more proficient at capitalizing on their opportunities, whether they came from long range or a darting dash over a compliant Reds defender.

With the time nearly gone, Winger Merewairita Neivosa’s second attempt resolved the matter.

For the six Reds players making their debuts, the day was particularly memorable, especially for 16-year-old Shalom Sauaso, who is still enrolled in Year 12 at Ipswich State High School.

Her decision to play paid off when Mel Wilks, an excellent center, was sidelined due to an ankle ailment.

In the attacking 22, Sauaso emerged from a tussle and took over at first receiver. At the sixty-two-minute mark, she surged onto the ball, cut inside, stepped, and dove over with three defenders after her.

Her teammates surrounded her, seeing something exceptional in her later-than-anticipated Super W debut.

Following the game, she was showered in lolly leis by school friends and family in the grandstand, a custom symbolic of celebration in Pasifika culture.

With her hair and strapping tape all over her body, a reddening tag mark on her thigh, and a worn-out appearance from workrate, flanker Carola Kreis gave off the impression of a dedicated, hard-working player.

“We delved far. There were many little bodies making crucial tackles on bigger ones out there, and we always knew what the Fijian girls would bring,” Reds skipper Cecilia Smith said.

“Lori had a great conversation with the fullback, and you can always count on her to make a cover tackle. Not only did Caitlin defend admirably, but so did many others.

Overall, all we needed to do in the attacking 22 was be more clinical. We needed to gain more points from the opportunities we had. We can improve on a lot of things from that performance in our upcoming match.

“I instructed Shalom to sprint in there as the first receiver. We are aware of the potential she possesses, and she delivered.”

FNker On her debut, Jemma Bemrose played for 80 minutes. Charli Jacoby, the American prop, No. 8 Sauaso, Doreen Narokete, reserve utility back Ava Wereta, and reserve flanker Lucy Thorpe all made their debuts.

During her brief appearance, Wilks put up a few powerful runs; lock Deni Ross worked hard and bravely at set piece time; and hooker Tiarna Molloy not only supported the ball well in general play but also scored a try.

With her astute kicking technique, Cramer scored a touchdown early on (50–22), and halfback Sarah Dougherty maintained her pass accuracy for eighty minutes.

The Reds managed to stay in the game despite the scrum being behind for extended periods of time. One of the team’s greatest assets was their maul, and a Fijian’s tackle on an expected charge to the tryline in the second half earned them a penalty try.

There was plenty to enjoy. Coach Grant Anderson stated, “We certainly put heart into our defense, and we controlled the play for long stretches of time.”

“It’s wonderful to start the season, return to Ballymore, and watch a rookie like Shalom be a bright light changing the attack.”

On Saturday, the Reds will meet the Western Force in Round Two in Perth.

 

Fijian Drua 32 – Tries: Merewairita Neivosa 2, Ana Korovata, Vani Va’aga Arei, Sulita Waisega, Teresia Tinanivalu, Conversion: Luisa Tisolo

Defeated

Queensland Reds 21 – Tries: Tiarna Molloy, Shalom Sauaso, penalty try, Conversion: Lori Cramer 2

At Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane

Half-time: 10-7 Fijian Drua

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