The Queensland Reds have booked their ticket to the 2023 Buildcorp Super W Grand Final, defeating the ACT Brumbies 23-20 in thrilling fashion in Sydney.
The Brumbies raced to a 12-nil lead early, before Queensland recovered with three tries including a Heleina Young double to take a 17-12 lead with half-an-hour to play.
In what was a seesawing affair at Concord Oval, the Brumbies again hit back to lock up the scores at 20-all, with a Carys Dallinger penalty eventually sending Queensland into the big dance for the first time since 2021.
A pair of dominant rolling mauls saw the Brumbies open up a two-try advantage by the 12th minute, Tania Naden finishing off plays.
Queensland hit back with a Renae Nona five-pointer, the fullback stepping her way over the line off the back of a charging Annabelle Codey run.
Neither side troubled the scorers again in the first half, before a stunning Young solo effort saw the Reds even the ledger in the 44th minute. The Fijian flyer collected the ball 60-metres out from the tryline, before showcasing her blistering pace to beat four defenders and cross for Queensland’s second try. Cecilia Smith converted to lock the scores at 12-all.
Young made it a double soon after, Diane Hiini slicing through the line from her own half and linking with her winger who streaked 25-metres to score. Smith missed the tough conversion, Queensland leading 17-12 with 31-minutes to play.
Brumbies number-eight Grace Kemp made it 17-all with a try out wide in the 57th minute.
The Brumbies repelled several Queensland attacking raids on their own line, before Dallinger kicked Queensland back into the lead with her first penalty with 10-minutes to play.
ACT playmaker Faitala Moleka again evened the scores at 20-all with just three minutes to play with a penalty of her own.
It was Dallinger who broke the deadlock, the Kiwi flyhalf slotting a 30-metre penalty to send Queensland into a 23-3 lead in the final minute of play.
The Brumbies were unable to break the Queensland defence in the last seconds, the Reds securing a 23-20 win and a spot in next week’s Grand Final.
Queensland will take on the Fijiana Drua in the final in Townsville. Buy tickets via https://bit.ly/3Vfylwh.
