Rugby sevens star Charlotte Caslick made a 28-minute debut today when the Queensland Reds were forced to accept the pain of a 36-14 loss by the NSW Waratahs.
The Reds scored two excellent first half tries to be right in the contest at Ballymore Stadium when going to the break trailing 19-14.
Unfortunately, the Waratahs were more clinical in the second half when winning the territory battle decisively to shut out the Reds.
This year’s SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s competition is humming with far more even contests and this one was closer than the scores indicated.
The try scored by the Reds after seven minutes for 7-0 was a beauty with a powerful counter-ruck by impressive lock Veneta Teutau creating ball for the Reds.
In a twinkling, teenage centre Shalom Sauaso had surged 30m with three big right-foot sidesteps that left defenders groping.
From the ensuing ruck, the ball was relayed by Tiarna Molloy, Lori Cramer and, finally, Teagan Levi, who fed the final pass to Kahli Henwood for the try.
Winger Henwood was the pick of the four Australian sevens players in action. Not only was she strong with her carries, her ankle-high tackling was highly effective.
Down 19-7, the Reds needed a boost. Centre Levi made a sharp run into the Waratahs quarter. Sauaso and prop Eva Karpani made charges of their own until the ball was freed up.
Sauaso’s bounce-pass was swooped on by Levi who put winger Caitlin Urwin over. The crowd of more than 1000 roared their approval.
Three-time Olympian Caslick entered the game at fullback for Wallaroo Lori Cramer.
She had few chances with the play running the Waratahs way but two moments in the closing minutes showed her versatile polish.
She blew away a NSW player with a strong cleanout at a ruck. Shortly after she worked a blindside play with halfback Wright and speared through on a stepping 20m run.
They were moments to build on for next Saturday’s clash against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra because Caslick has committed full-time to the Reds for the rest of the season.
“It’s obviously a disappointing result to lose to NSW but it’s also exciting to get started playing 15s for sure,” Caslick said.
“I want to get the hang of it properly and keep progressing which is why I’ve committed to the whole season.”
Karpani was playing against her title-winning teammates of 2024 for the first time and felt the strong Queensland vs NSW rivalry.
“I felt the rivalry from the other side for the first time. It was very physical and there was chat and giggles out there as well,” Karpani said.
“That was the game we definitely needed to move forward to a higher level this season. It told us we have to play on our terms if we are going to play teams like NSW again in finals.”
Speedster Maya Stewart crossed for two tries for the Waratahs.
NSW WARATAHS 36
Tries: Maya Stewart 2, Adiana Talakai 2, Georgina Friedrichs, Seneti Kilisimasi
Conversions: Arabella McKenzie 3
Defeated
QUEENSLAND REDS 14
Tries: Caitlin Urwin, Kahli Henwood
Conversions: Lori Cramer 2
Half-time: Waratahs 19- Reds 14
Venue: Ballymore Stadium
