With less than a day to prepare for their clash against the President’s XV, Lori Cramer steered the Super W Selects side to a miraculous win.
Two teams with a Barbarians attacking mindset met for the second game of the day, with the President’s XV going up against the newly formed Super W Selects side.
The Super W Selects side rewarded those players who showed promise in their Super W sides, and invited some emerging stars from country rugby to experience the next level of rugby.
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Attacking flair was on display, with both teams creating opportunities off clever backline play.
It was President’s XV winger Jemima McCalman who opened the scoring, continuing her blistering form this year.
The Super W Selects played with endeavour, willing to throw the ball around and put their hands up for higher honours. Super W Selects prop Faliki Pohiva put on the shot of the game against PXV skipper Alex Sulusi.
Right on halftime, second-rower Vetekina Aho-Fangaloka started an attack from the Super W Selects and was there to finish it off, tunnelling over for their first try.
The PXV responded early in the second half, with Isla Norman-Bell regathering her own clever grubber kick to score in the corner.
From there, it was all on, with both teams treating the crowd to some entertaining rugby.
Some continuity in attack allowed the Super W Selects to get some interplay within the backs, allowing fullback Claudia McLaren to carve up the PXV defence to put her side in front.
The PXV worked their way upfield, leading to Tylah Vallance kicking a crucial penalty goal to give the PXV the lead.
The Super W Selects didn't die wondering, throwing everything at the PXV, but they held tough to repel the Selects attack heading into the championship minutes towards the back end of the game.
The PXV looked to have the game wrapped up until the Selects forward pack won the ball against the feed and put boot to ball, launching it downfield. The PXV failed to regather, and somehow the ball fell to the Super W Selects.
A penalty right on fulltime gave Lori Cramer the chance to step up and nail the penalty goal, giving the Selects side a victory against all odds.
The enterprising play from the Super W Selects and the talent on display for the PXV shows the depth that is building throughout women's rugby in Australia. It will give organisers of the Super W competition food for thought as they look to build for next year.
Saturday 2 July 11:00 am AEST – President's XV v Super W Select XV at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
PRESIDENT’S XV (1-15): Moniqca Mo'ale, Miki Trbojevich, Tasmin Sheppard, Kate Holland, Rosie Ebbage, Karen Nabaluarua, Hana Lane, Alex Sulusi (c), Paris Ingegneri, Jetaya Faifua Jemima McCalman, Maraea Tupai, Katie Sampford, Claudia Nelson, Tylah Vallance
Reserves: Ayla Cook, Candice Clay, Yolanda Maiava, Grade Qaranivalu, Tatum Bird, Isla Norman-Bell, Vani Va'aga, Renee Bates/Renae Nona
INs: Yolanda Maiava, Paris Ingegneri, Rosie Ebbage, Katie Sampford
OUTs: Trudi Peterson, Emma Bradford, Jasmin Huriwai
SELECT XV (1-15): Faliki Pohiva (Waratahs), Ash Dowton (Coffs Harbour Snappers), Theresa Soloai (Reds), Vetekina Aho-Fangaloka (Reds), Sabine Blakeman (Waratahs), Annika Jamieson (Hunter Wildfires), Olivia Creswick (Dubbo Roos), Greta Smith (Coffs Harbour Snappers), Peta Salter (Hunter Wildfires), Lori Cramer (Waratahs), Georgia Tuipulotu (Waratahs), Rachel Devine (SCU Marlins), Nicole Nathan (Waratahs), Kate Bugden (Rebels), Claudia McLaren (Bathurst Bulldogs)
Reserves: Taylor Stevens (Coffs Harbour Snappers), Naomi George (Wauchope Thunder), Lauren Nott (Wauchope Thunder), Makayla Hoskins (SCU Marlins), Britney Duff (Newcastle), Zara Lee (Newcastle), Brooke Walklate (Newcastle), Tina McRae (SCU Marlins)
INs: N/A
OUTs: N/A
