High-quality rugby, established stars and future talent were on display in the ACT Brumbies’ second trial match against the Western Force, with the visitors claiming a 40–15 win at Brumbies HQ.
The Force were quick off the mark, striking first with back-to-back tries down the right side of the pitch. Flanker Nami Dickson crossed the whitewash first, followed shortly thereafter by fullback Aiysha Wigley, whose elusive footwork allowed her to find space within the home side’s defence.
A reply was due from the Brumbies. Deep in the Force’s 22, flyhalf Faitala Moleka chipped to the left side of the pitch, where the ball ricocheted off the hands of the Force winger straight into the hands of the home team’s captain, Siokapesi Palu Sekona, who dotted down for their first points of the day.
New signing and Japanese international, Wako Kitano packed her first scrum for the Brumbies and brought immediate impact with her explosive, punchy carries.
An arm wrestle ensued as both teams searched for attacking opportunities within each other’s defensive lines; however, it was the visiting outfit that eventually broke through with winger Halley Derera, touching down in the corner to take the visitors up 21-5.
Determined, the Brumbies kept the pressure on, bombarding the Force’s ruck after ruck. Meters from the Force’s try line, bruising flanker Lily Bone capitalised on her opportunity when a dummy pass opened a gap, giving her a pick‑and‑go try to take close the gap to 21-10 going into half-time.
The second half began with a tough defensive stand on the Brumbies’ try line, forcing a knock‑on from the Force in their desperation to score.
A Force line out five metres out turned into a rolling maul, with Sera Naiqama reaping the rewards and crashing over. Soon after the visting outfit went again through hooker Siena Saito, who finished a scrambling effort for another five‑pointer.
Lily Bone showcased her work rate and stamina, producing two try‑saving tackles in an 80-minute performance, but it wasn’t enough as Naiqama secured her second of the match soon after, using her height to reach over the line.
The Brumbies found renewed fight in front of their home fans, launching a counterattack after pilfering the ball at the ruck. A break from Tessa Good set up strong field position down the blindside, and a maul close to the line tapped into the Brumbies’ DNA. Off the back of the rolling maul, hooker Millie Parker powered over to the delight of the crowd.
The match settled at 40–15, with the Western Force taking the win.
The ACT Brumbies will now turn their attention to their final trial match against the Waratahs before the start of the Super Rugby Women’s season in June.
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