Debuts for eight new Queensland Reds women was the positive takeaway from a disappointing 15-12 loss to the ACT Brumbies today.
Reds skipper Jemma Bemrose rued the wasted opportunity yet saluted the first strides taken by the youngest of Reds rookies at Ballymore Stadium.
Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s cries out for upsets every season. The Reds just didn’t need it to be on the receiving end in the opening round.
The Reds now have a fortnight to sharpen their game for a clash against the Western Force in Perth on June 20.
For all their errors, the Reds could easily have stole it late with the scores at 12-all. Instead, they conceded a penalty and Wallaroo Faitala Moleka knocked over the matchwinning three points from in front on full-time.
“It is disappointing. We got away from playing our footy, didn’t find our shape often enough or get the ball to our strengths on the edges,” Bemrose said.
“They applied some pressure but this was our own doing. You have to be disciplined and I put my hand to take responsibility there.”
Bemrose was hit with a yellow card after 22 minutes for side entry into a Brumbies’ attacking maul. The Brumbies went bang-bang with two tries against 14 players to turn a 0-5 deficit into a 12-5 lead.
“We had the same chance when the Brumbies were yellow-carded in the first half but didn’t capitalise with any points,” Bemrose added.
“We can definitely start better and bounce back in our next game. Who I am really proud of are the girls who made their debuts. Some are super, super young and played with a lot of wisdom.”
Samoan international centre Harmony Vatau and Black Ferns powerhouse Tanya Kalounivale , with her scrummaging, rumbling runs and offloads, made debuts but already had international backgrounds. Both had superb games.
Hooker Mary Tuaana was a first-time Red from a Melbourne Rebels background.
Prop Jordan Neal was stepping up in the front-row from Queensland Country roots. Flyhalf Akira Kelly, 25, winger Aroha Spillane, 23, replacement halfback Evie Sampson, 19, and fullback Kaelyn Passi, 18, were at the rookie end of the debutants with her.
Sampson and Passi, a late inclusion for injured Wallaroo Lori Cramer, both made excellent tackles in the final 10 minutes to shut down Brumbies’ attacks.
Passi’s left boot found 40m up the sideline on one occasion. After one dropped pass in the first half, she showed huge promise.
Starting halfback Sarah Dougherty is all poise and calm. Sampson adds real spark every time she comes on.
She did it again today. Kalounivale made a charge, offloaded to Kelly and a backhanded flick pass was caught high by Sampson. That was the real Reds but it was seen all too briefly by the enthusiastic crowd.
Kelly did some neat things with sure passing and classy kicking.
The Reds led 5-0 when pressure on the fringe of a 5m lineout drive created a chance well-taken by Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani.
At that point, it looked like the Reds might have weathered the rushing defenders and physicality of the Brumbies in the early stages.
It was not to be. The Brumbies kept tackling, kept pressuring and the Reds allowed themselves to be bumped out of their own game.
On 30 minutes, a familiar face gave the Brumbies a 12-5 lead. The beaming smile belonged to former Red Ivania Wong after she finished a try on the grandstand touchline.
For all that, the Reds hauled back a 12-5 half-time deficit with some sustained pressure of their own to level at 12-all after 57 minutes.
Vatau got the ball at the back of a ruck, was surprised by the clear space ahead, veered off the left foot and scored untouched.
Vatau’s partnership with recent Wallaroos centre Ava Wereta is blossoming. Wereta was very good again. Diving on a loose ball that had been charged down was the sort of desperation needed.
Sampson was thrilled to play her first Reds game after her grooming with Bond University on the Gold Coast and in sevens.
“The Brumbies brought their physicality and really showed up in defence,” Sampson said.
“I really enjoyed my first game and building confidence. The experienced girls bring us up to the next level. We definitely didn’t show what we are capable of. We’ll work hard on that.”
ACT BRUMBIES 15
Tries: Tania Naden, Ivania Wong
Conversion: Faitala Moleka
Penalty Goal: Faitala Moleka
Def
QUEENSLAND REDS 12
Tries: Eva Karpani, Harmony Vatau
Conversion: Harmony Vatau
Half-time: Brumbies 12-Reds 5
Venue: Ballymore Stadium
