A spirited Penina Pasifika provided the perfect final pre-season test for the Queensland Reds women’s team on Saturday afternoon with the Reds working hard for a 60-7 victory at Ballymore Stadium.
Penina Pasifika brought plenty of physicality and flair, making the hosts work for their points.
The win sets the Reds up nicely for their first SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s game of the season next Saturday afternoon against the Fijian Drua in Laukota (live and exclusive on Stan Sport at 11:05am Queensland time/AEST).
The Queensland Reds play home Super Rugby Women’s matches at Ballymore against the NSW Waratahs (Sunday March 16) and Western Force (Sunday March 30).
Wingers Ivania Wong and Piper Flynn both scored doubles as did backrower Zoe Hanna.
Experienced leaders Tiarna Molloy and Carys Dallinger were the standouts for the Reds, Molloy carrying with aplomb and finding plenty of space.
Head Coach Andrew Fraser was pleased with his side’s victory, with their fitness among the positives which caught his eyes. He admitted selection for next week will be a challenge for the coaching staff.
“I’m delighted with the performance; we’ve entertained our members and fans, and it was a nice way to perform ahead of a tough trip to Fiji next week,” Fraser said.
“There are always things to work on, but we’ve shown some glimpses of what we can do when we’re switched on. Freya Greensill and our strength and conditioning team have done an exceptional job to get our girls in great condition.
“We’ve had girls in this program working hard for up to five months now, and we’ve got a couple of tough nights of decision-making ahead of us, but rest assured the players who travel will have earned their spots and Queensland can be proud of them. We look forward to going there and hopefully upsetting the home team.”
Reds Hooker Tiarna Molloy said it was the ideal way to finish pre-season.
“They were very physical and I think it’s really good preparation for us ahead of playing the Drua,” Molloy said. “I wouldn’t want to be the coaches right now, picking our first team. It’s been a really good preparation, the professionalism of our program has lifted this year, and we feel like we’re in a good place.
“We’ve had a really big pre-season in the Brisbane heat and we’ve playing games in the middle of the day and the heat of the sun. I’m excited to get to Fiji. It will be hot and humid, and in many ways there’s nothing quite like a Fijian crowd.”
Fraser was thrilled with Molloy’s performance and praised Dallinger’s decision-making.
“Tiarna Molloy is an amazing athlete at the moment, and she deserves all the credit she is getting,” Fraser said. “Tiarna is reaping the rewards of her hard work. Carys showed how excellent she is when she’s kicking well, running square and playing hard, and she was excellent along with Lori Cramer in the back field.”
While Penina Pasifika aren’t playing for points, Fraser thanked the visitors and praised the contribution they make to the Australian women’s Rugby season.
“We have two girls that played for Queensland today (Michelle Curry and Vineta Teutau) who were in that program last year, and that shows that there is opportunity for those girls to progress and be recognised. This fixture is really well-received by all of the Australian teams, and we’ve been very fortunate to play them here today.
“The game was played in great spirit, and there was no quarter given by the Penina girls – and that’s what we expected. Some of the physicality they showed today is a great highlight of the game of rugby.
“They are to be commended for being away from home and on the road for five weeks, it’s been great to interact with the coaches and players after the game, and we hope they can continue to improve and give other teams a real run for their money.”
Queensland Reds 60
Tries: Flynn (7, 34), Molloy (12), Wong (16, 37), Hanna (22, 73), Manera (50), Nona (61), Dallinger (70)
Cons: Cramer (3/6), Dallinger (2/4)
Defeated
Penina Pasifika 7
Tries: Mamea (27)
Cons: Vatau (1/)
Queensland Reds:
1 Bree-Anna Browne, 2 Tiarna Molloy, 3 Jiowana Sauto, 4 Tiarah Minns, 5 Deni Ross, 6 Jemma Bemrose (cc), 7 Carola Kreis, 8 Zoe Hanna, 9 Layne Morgan, 10 Carys Dallinger, 11 Ivania Wong (cc), 12 Ariana Hira, 13 Mel Wilks, 14 Piper Flynn, 15 Lori Cramer.
Reserves: 17, Charlie Jacoby, 18 Christo Tofa, 19 Dillyn Blackburn, 20 Faythe Manera, 21 Sarah Riordan, 22 Sarah Dougherty, 23 Michelle Curry, 25 Sky-Yvette Faimalie, 26 Marea Tupai, 27 Vineta Teutau, 28 Renae Nona.
Penina Pasifika:
1 Ana Mamea, 2 Cathy Leuta, 3 Tori Iosefo, 4 Margaret Manase, 5 Eseta Vuki, 6 Precious Auimatagi, 7 Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 8 Nina Foaese, 9 Sarah Tuipulotu, 10 Harmony Vatau, 11 Lesieli Tai, 12 Mele Akolo, 13 Keilamarita Pouri Lane, 14 Lyric Faleafaga, 15 Melina Salale.
Reserves: 16 Ti Tauasosi, 17 Angel Schwencke, 18 Nata Kilisimasi, 19 Lila Hifo, 20 Madisen-Jade Iva, 21 Esther Amataga, 22 Faith Nonutunu, 23 Ana Ngahe, 24 Loketi Mahoni, 25 Kristal Taufui, 26 Ruby Finau.
About Penina Pasifika: The Penina Pasifika program, delivered in partnership with Rugby Australia under the Pacific Women's Pathway initiative, is part of the Australian Pacific Rugby Union Partnership (APRUP II) and is supported by PacificAus Sports, a program funded by the Australian Government. The initiative aims to strengthen the pathway for Pacific women in rugby, offering valuable playing opportunities and professional development to aspiring elite athletes.
