St. George Queensland Women's XV Claim Second Win of 2019 Against Rugby WA Women

Sat, Mar 2, 2019, 1:00 AM
Reds Media Unit
by Reds Media Unit

The St.George Queensland Women’s XV have recorded their second-consecutive victory to start the 2019 Super W season, overcoming the Rugby WA Women 28-3 at Suncorp Stadium.

The Queenslanders scored four tries to none against the Westerners, as a dominant second-half performance delivered the side another victory.

Tough defence and some opportunistic attack were key for the side, as Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Alana Elisaia, Ivania Wong and Cecilia Smith all added to their already impressive try scoring tallies for 2019.

After errors and ill-discipline limited any attacking opportunities in the early stages of the match, Western Australia opened the scoring in the 17th minute with Tui Cope slotting a penalty goal from 15 metres out.

Lefau-Fakaosilea was shown a yellow-card in the 15th minute for a dangerous tackle however the home side weren’t deterred, with a Lori Cramer penalty in the 20th minute making the score three-all.

A yellow card to WA winger Zakiya Kereopa soon followed to give Queensland a one-player advantage at the 24-minute mark.

The side made the most of the newly-created overlap in the 33rd minute, after Lefau-Fakaosilea and Lori Cramer combined to send Elisaia over for her fourth try of the season and give Queensland an 8-3 lead.

The score remained as the game headed into half-time, before a dominant second half delivered the Queenslanders a 25-point win.

The home side added their first points of the second stanza in the 50th minute through Smith, who intercepted a loose WA pass and streaked close to half of the field to score her side’s second try. Cramer missed the conversion, with Queensland holding a 13-3 lead with 30 minutes of play remaining.

Cramer slotted a second penalty goal in the 60th minute to stretch Queensland’s lead to 16-3, before Lefau-Fakaosilea pounced with an 80-metre intercept try to further increase the home side’s lead. Cramer converted to make the score 23-3 heading into the final 15 minutes of play.

A yellow card to Brooke Mason in the 68th minute gave Queensland a one-player advantage once again and the Queenslanders were quick to capitalise through electric winger Wong. Wong crossed close to the right-hand touchline after a superb Samantha Treherne draw and pass play to put the winger over the line and seal victory.

Queensland head coach Moana Virtue said: “Tonight’s match was a different challenge for the girls, the first half was a scrappy affair and lacked continuity, which was reflected in the score-line at the break.

“The team bounced back in the second half and put some more phases together and we were able to work back into our game plan.

“Our bench tonight really impressed me, they all came on and lifted the intensity.

“Overall it was a tough physical hit-out which was good for the team before we face the reigning premiers NSW next week.”

The Queensland Women’s XV will face NSW Women next Sunday, 10 March, at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.

Queensland Women’s XV: 28

Tries: Elisaia 1, Smith 1, Lefau-Fakaosilea 1, Wong 1

Cons: Cramer 1

Pens: Cramer 2

Rugby WA Women: 3

Pens: Cope

Share
Liz Patu and Ivania Wong set to become Queensland's all time Women's cap leaders
Nico Andrade appointed QRU Women’s High-Performance Manager
Petaia, Slipper recalls headline mouth-watering Reds-Brumbies blockbuster
Queensland Reds name Super Rugby Women's side for Round 3