In a thrilling display of tenacity and teamwork, the Queensland Reds emerged victorious against the ACT Brumbies, sealing a 26-22 win in the latest round of SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s action on March 22, 2025. The hard-fought win not only marked a pivotal moment for the Reds but also brought them one step closer to securing a playoff spot, positioning them alongside the NSW Waratahs and Fijian Drua each with two wins this season.
The atmosphere at the match was electric, especially considering it was a historic occasion, celebrating the 100th match played by the Queensland Reds women’s team. With one regular season fixture remaining, the Reds are set to face the Western Force at Ballymore on March 30, further raising the stakes as they approach the playoffs.
From the outset, the Reds demonstrated a mix of brilliance and vulnerability during the match. Head Coach Andrew Fraser expressed both pride and concern regarding his team’s performance, noting, “We didn’t make it easy for ourselves,” highlighting the challenges they faced with set piece errors and instances of poor discipline. Despite these setbacks, the Reds showcased their potential, providing plenty of encouraging signs that, as Fraser put it, “if we can put it together for 80 minutes, we know we are extremely capable.”
The match began with the Brumbies taking an early lead, as flyhalf Faitala Moleka successfully kicked a penalty goal in the 7th minute. This prompted the Reds to rally, and in the 24th minute, outside center Faythe Manera scored the first try of the match after a solid build-up equipped with great interplay, converting the try with Lori Cramer’s assist. This moment marked Manera’s first Super Rugby Women’s try, establishing her as a significant player to watch.
As the match progressed, both teams struggled at various points, displaying a few errors alongside powerful carries and dynamic play. The Reds eventually saw success again as tighthead prop Eva Karpani crossed the line after a powerful run enabled by Shalom Sauaso. Karpani’s try brought the score to 12-8 in favor of the Reds, but Moleka quickly responded by adding two more penalty goals, leading the Brumbies to a narrow 14-12 advantage at halftime.
The second half started explosively for the Reds, who quickly scored two tries within a matter of minutes. Debutant winger Piper Flynn, in her first involvement in the Super Rugby Women’s, scored a try almost immediately after stepping onto the field. This play was initiated with clever playmaking courtesy of Charlotte Caslick, who delivered a beautiful double cut-out pass.
Following Flynn's spectacular start, hooker Tiarna Molloy scored, stretching the Reds’ lead and showcasing the depth and talent of the squad. However, while the Reds appeared to be in a commanding position, the Brumbies continued to fight back, with Moleka knocking in her fourth penalty goal of the match after another yellow card to Reds' Caitlin Urwin. The situation intensified as Brumbies winger Biola Dawa scored a try, closing the score gap and making the final minutes of the match exponentially more nerve-wracking for both teams.
As the clock ticked down, the tension rose. Cramer’s reliable kicking was crucial for the Reds, highlighted by the fact that her solitary miss this season came during this match, putting pressure squarely on her. The closing moments saw the Reds' defense tested as they were reduced to 14 players, yet they persevered and held on to their lead. The match concluded with a Brumbies error as the whistle blew at the 84th minute, leaving the Reds to celebrate a hard-earned victory.
Fraser acknowledged, “The errors hurt us today, but we hung in there and fought to the end.” This sentiment resonates with the team's determination as they head into their clash against the Western Force, motivated to finish the regular season strongly before transitioning into the finals.
The Red's performance, highlighted by Caslick's development and contributions from rising talents like Flynn and Karpani, signifies a promising future for the Queensland women’s rugby team. Their next challenge awaits against the Western Force, and with a passionate home crowd expected to support, the Reds hope to make a lasting impact in the upcoming playoffs.
