The Queensland Reds women's team today led their arch-rivals from NSW until the hour mark before bowing 34-21 at the Santos Festival of Rugby.
It was a highly promising hitout in Narrabri from a Reds team with so many new faces but meshing through their intent.
There were six newcomers in the starting side and more on the extended bench for a match which gave all players a chance to press their selection cases for the 2026 Super Rugby Women's squad.
Experienced skipper Sarah Riordan, the former Wallaroo, led the way from No.8 as the Reds jumped to a 14-0 lead by the 20-minute mark.
Riordan's own strong inside running angle off a Renae Nona pass produced the second try after hooker Roni Setu had punched over from close range for the first.
Both tries were built by a build-up of pressure with surges with the ball and some neat offloads.
Powerhouse lock Vineta Teutau, halfback Sarah Dougherty and Riordan were all impressive in building the 14-7 half-time lead.
Props Jordan Neal and Tau Iafeta and centre Ava Wereta were part of the strong tackling effort.
"I was really pleased with the workrate and effort from the newer girls because their intent was right where it needed to be," Riordan said.
"Roni really stood up to lead a group of new props.
"It's really encouraging to see because you don't get a better test than being thrown in against a NSW team."
Winger Piper Flynn ran from behind her own tryline and linked with teenage fullback Kaelyn Passi in the boldest attack of the first half.
When Dougherty cleverly kicked over the top and regathered, the positive play had earned a 60m advance upfield.
Replacement prop Molly Kennedy scored the Reds' second half try when she twisted over from close range to make the score 21-12.
Her family cheer squad from Warialda roared from the clubhouse grandstand to show how much it meant as they did after two big tackles.
Passi, playing in Queensland's winning Next Gen 7s team just a week earlier, showed some classy footwork and a neat passing game as her strong points.
"The physicality was definitely up. I really enjoyed the whole experience," new lock Paris Mohr said.
The Waratahs stepped it up in the second half with pacy winger Makenzi Nelson completing a hat-trick of tries.
Wallaroos Annabelle Codey and Waiaria Ellis came on as replacements late in the game just days after returning from the World Cup in England.
In the interstate sevens series, the Reds mounted a rousing comeback from 12-0 down in the opening game to win 19-17. The Waratahs ran away with Game 2 with a 47-7 result.
In the opener, headgeared TJ Murray and Madi Pomerenke scored in the fightback to 12-all. A dummying Charli Nicola try got the Reds into their winning position.
Pressure in defence was just as important with winger Tahli Devine making the tackle that produced the turnover that led to the Nicola try.
