A superb two-try performance from schoolgirl Shalom Sauaso has ignited the Queensland Reds’ first win of their Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s season.
The Reds held on for a dramatic 17-15 result over the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on Friday after repelling a big second half fightback from the home side.
The 16-year-old is still in Year 12 at Ipswich State High yet she dominated for the hour she played like she was one of the established Wallaroos on the field.
Beyond her two tries and intent every time she ran with the ball, she made two try-saving tackles out wide and forced the turnover that led to her second try.
Rebels’ Wallaroo Ash Marsters labelled Sauaso a “firecracker with ball in hand” while Reds skipper Cecilia Smith was also generous in praise.
“I thought Shalom was our best. She’s amazing. We just wanted her to run those hard lines and she did,” Smith said.
“It’s definitely a relief (to get that first win). I’m really proud of the efforts.”
It was a gritty win by the Reds considering the injury and illness disruptions to the side. In the starting backline, skipper Smith shifted from inside centre to fullback, Lori Cramer started at flyhalf, Sauaso was installed at inside centre, fit-again Mel Wilks was at outside centre and Nat Wright had her first run-on role at halfback.
Samoan international Vineta Teutau, in Brisbane to play for University of Queensland, was cleared late to play to answer an SOS as a replacement because backrow back-up stocks were exhausted.
The Reds played some of the most fluent rugby of their season for periods of the first half when the starting scrum dominated, ball-handling was assured and No.8 April Ngatupuna carried the ball strongly.
The Reds’ lineout had problems late in the game but it was a crisp Tiarna Molloy throw to jumper Aleena Greenhalgh which set the first platform for Sauaso.
Wright fired a pass to Sauaso and the teen ran an inside line by and through five defenders to the tryline. It was a marvellous run.
The 7-0 jump became 14-0 at the 20-minute mark when Sauaso swooped on Marsters and forced a turnover penalty. Wright’s quick tap got play rolling and Sauaso dived over with an alert pick-and-go.
The fighting heart of the Reds players was called on again and again when the Rebels rallied in the second half.
A fine Caitlin Urwin tackle dislodged the ball when former Reds fullback Samantha Trehearne threatened. Debutant Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, just 17, produced a good one herself and Smith was forever sacrificing her body to drag down attackers.
The Rebels closed to 14-12 before a Lori Cramer penalty goal gave the Reds breathing space.
The scores closed to 17-15 with six minutes to play when Rebels flyhalf Cassie Siataga missed a penalty goal attempt from in front which would have grabbed the win.
It was an unexpected piece of good fortune. It still took desperate defence from Grace Baker and Carola Kreis to stop another Rebels attack to allow Smith to force a turnover penalty in the closing minutes.
QUEENSLAND REDS 17, Tries: Shalom Sauaso 2, Conversions: Lori Cramer 2, Penalty Goal: Lori Cramer; Defeated MELBOURNE REBELS 15, Tries: Jayme Nuku, Mel Kawa, Conversion: Cassie Siataga, Penalty Goal: Cassie Siataga
At AAMI Park, Melbourne
Half-time: 14-0 Reds
