The Queensland Reds’ bold bid for their first Super Rugby Women’s trophy came up short today at North Sydney Oval with a 43-21 grand final loss to the NSW Waratahs.
The heartbache was more acute because handling errors stalled promising build-ups several times when more clinical execution would have built pressure and tightened the scoreline.
The Reds found themselves down 12-0 midway through the first half before the scores were tightened to 19-14 with a spirited opening to the second half.
When halfback Layne Morgan crossed from a quick tap penalty, after a strong Tiarna Molloy run, it had ignited the Reds’ hopes with 31 minutes to play.
There was always fight in the Reds. When Waratahs speedster Desiree Miller crossed from long-range on the hour mark to make it 29-14, the Reds needed a quick response
It came immediately with a sharp Lori Cramer kick-off finding touch off a NSW player that presented a lineout 10m out.
The lineout was well won and prop Eva Karpani surged around the short side at pace. The speed to the thrust was sustained and replacement prop Cristo Taufua crashed over.
The Reds were back in it at 29-21 with 18 minutes to play and still a few minutes playing against 14 women because a high tackle on centre Faythe Manera had put NSW prop Seneti Kilisimasi in the sin bin.
The Waratahs had the stronger finish with two converted tries to inflate the final ledger to 43-21 after an absorbing tussle.
“We fought to the end with our effort. I’m still very proud of the team making the grand final after the year we had last year,” co-captain Ivania Wong said on the sidelines.
“Congrats to the Tahs and thanks to everyone who stuck by us. We'll come back better and stronger next year."
The emotion dripped from every word from Wong.
The Reds rebuilt from last in 2024 to a grand final with plenty of progress to be proud of.
Teenage centre Shalom Sauaso was again one of the Reds’ best with her tackle-bending runs. Morgan and prop Eva Karpani were outstanding in the finals.
Fullback Charlotte Caslick never stopped probing in the grand final and 21-year-old flanker Zoe Hanna took on the game. Lock Vineta Teutau carried hard and tackled even harder.
Wallaroos hooker Molloy had her best season in SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s. There were other high performers across the campaign too.
The Reds scrum dominated which was credit to the full eight and how far prop Bree-Anna Browne has come since returning from major knee surgery. Unfortunately, the Reds too rarely capitalised on this scrum supremacy.
In defence, there were courageous saves with Morgan and Caitlin Urwin both making try-saving tackles that spun Waratahs attackers into touch just short of the corner post.
The Reds were chasing the game from the ninth minute when Waratahs centre Georgie Friedrichs completed a raid out wide that gave the home team a 7-0 lead.
A driving maul try to Waratahs lock Kaitlin Leaney extended the lead to 12-0 before the Reds hit back strongly.
On 27 minutes, Morgan took a quick tap and all but got to the line. Karpani took advantage with a pick-and-go special for the try from the ruck.
NSW WARATAHS 43
Tries: Georgie Friedrichs 2, Kaitlan Leaney, Faliki Pohiva, Desiree Miller, Emily Robinson
Conversions: Arabella McKenzie 5
Penalty goal: Arabella McKenzie
Defeated
QUEENSLAND REDS 21
Tries: Eva Karpani, Layne Morgan, Cristo Taufua
Conversions: Lori Cramer 3
Half-time: Waratahs 19-Reds 7
Venue: North Sydney Oval
