The Queensland Reds women’s team produced a significant 22-19 upset in Lautoka today after surviving a dramatic finish from the Fijian Drua.
The Reds earned their first success over the 2022-23 champions in two years in humid conditions to launch their SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s season in style.
It was worthy reward for the team’s ambition. The Reds could have withdrawn from the match, stayed at home and shared the points because of Cyclone Alfred disrupting flights out of Brisbane.
Instead, the Reds elected to fly out early last Wednesday, rather than on Friday. Players left family and jobs early to make sure they were there for the kick-off.
“I’m really proud of the girls,” co-captain Ivania Wong told Stan Sport post-match.
“Coming out today we wanted to represent and make everyone back at home proud so we hope we did that, especially with what our state is going through right now.
“This is for everyone back home.”
The performance was full of urgent defence, superior technical work at the breakdown, smart tactical play and three well-taken tries to silence a big Fijian crowd.
The result was reward for all the women’s squad has put in over the past five months with off-season training and four trials to rebuild from a disappointing 2024 campaign.
The result sets up a blockbuster for Ballymore Stadium on Sunday week against the NSW Waratahs, who were taken down by the Drua a week ago.
The Reds led 22-0 after 67 minutes before the rumbling strength of the Drua forwards earned three late tries and put the match in the balance for the final 90 seconds when the Queenslanders were down to 14 players.
The Reds had made the perfect start with co-captain Jemma Bemrose scooting 35m for the opening try and 7-0 after just four minutes.
Connected teamwork ignited the play as it did repeatedly in the dripping heat of Lautoka.
On this occasion, prop Eva Karpani forced a spilt ball by the Drua with defensive pressure. A quick passing relay from Faythe Manera and Carola Kreis gave Bemrose space to stride out.
The Reds, wearing their striking 2025 Indigenous jersey for the first time, had to be spot on from the start in defence against the bigger, unpredictable Fijian attackers.
The Drua were down to 14 players because of a yellow card when teenage Reds centre Shalom Sauaso struck.
She straightened, burst through three tacklers over 20m and delivered a one-handed offload to ever-present flanker Kreis, who dashed the final 25m for the try.
The 14-0 lead had to be protected. Hooker Tiarna Molloy, Kreis (twice) and replacement centre Kahli Henwood all produced turnovers of possession at the ruck while jolting Sauaso and Bemrose tackles did the same job.
The defensive pressure added to the handling frustrations of the Fijians.
At the 56-minute mark, sharp replacement halfback Nat Wright made a smart dart to the shortside of a ruck and put winger Caitlin Urwin over for the decisive try and 22-0.
Australian sevens players Bella Nasser, with one strong run out wide, Henwood and winger Teagan Levi all made their Super Rugby Women’s debuts in the second half.
Reds head coach Andrew Fraser was reflective of the heat in Lautoka, wearing a smear of white sunscreen across his face when in the coaches' box. The organisation he has added to the Reds women's program alongside high-performance chief Nico Andrade has been invaluable.
Weekly opposed training sessions against the Brisbane Grammar First XV have also added a lift in intensity for the past month.
Wong was delighted to see the hard work from the squad pay off in such a big way.
“There’s nothing tougher than playing Fiji in Fiji,” Wong said.
“(Compared to 2024) it’s just the attitude that’s different. We knew it was going to be tough and the girls were fired up to come back after last season.
QUEENSLAND REDS 22
Tries: Jemma Bemrose, Carola Kreis, Caitlin Urwin
Conversions: Lori Cramer 2
Penalty Goal: Lori Cramer
Defeated
FIJIAN DRUA 19
Tries: Loraini Senivutu, Karalaini Naisewa; penalty try
Conversion: Vitalina Naikore
Half-time: Reds 17-Drua 0
Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka
