Brisbane Tens day two: As it happened

Sat, Feb 10, 2018, 12:23 PM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Alysia Fakaosilea pulled off two massive moments as Queensland won a thriller over New South Wales in the final of the 2018 Brisbane Tens.

The Brisbane Tens are done and dusted for another year.

The Blues have been crowned champions but it was the Queensland women who stole the show on day two.

Here's how all the action panned out.

10:45pm - Umaga, Tupou speak after Tens triumph


10:18pm - Fakaosilea steals the show

See what Queensland star Alysia Fakaosilea had to say after she stole the show in the women's final.


Her coach, Michael Hayes said he never doubted his troops.

"I really do believe in the capacity of the girls and the way they've been training," Hayes said.

"We've built these building blocks from which to work from and the building blocks are starting to form what I would consider, metaphorically a really nice house."

10:05pm - Men's final - Blues 10 Hurricanes 7

George Moala has stolen the title from the Hurricanes at the death, scoring a stirring individual try after the siren to claim victory for the Blues.

It was a moment that added spice to an otherwise dour grand final, in which defence was the star of the show.The Blues are the Brisbane Tens champs. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyThe Canes led for 16 minutes, Alex Fidow putting them in front early after a clever lineout variation in which the rest of the pack shuffled forward as he slipped towards the five metre mark, took a short throw and barged over.

Unfortunately, that was the high point of the first term, as both sides scrapped their way through the remaining six minutes.

The second half wasn't much better, Akira Ioane putting the Blues within a try when he scored with three to play before Moala's miraculous effort after the siren stole the show.

Having been awarded a try five out from the Canes line, Moala took on two defenders and was brought to ground one metre out, only to get to his feet, release the ball and force his way over to score an incredible winner.

9:15pm - Women's final - QLD 10 NSW 5

Alysia Fakaosilea has stolen the show at Suncorp Stadium, dishing one of the shots of the tournament before scoring the match winning try for Queensland, in golden point, 60 seconds later.

This was a slugfest that had it all.Jubilation for Queensland. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyBo Vette-Welsh drew first blood for NSW, scoring on the right wing as a recipient of a brilliant cross-field kick.

That was where the scoring for the term started and finished, though, as Queensland did not cross the halfway plane in the first term, forced to repel several NSW raids in their own half.

The second half was the stalemate to end all stalemates.

Queensland could not make any ground before Chloe Leaupepe was sent to the bin halfway through the term and that's when they took control of the match.The grand final was as tense as they come. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyNSW held their ground and it took until the final play of the game for Queensland to cross, Sam Treherne sliding over in the left corner.


One half of golden point footy was not enough despite golden opportunities for both sides and as the second half resumed, Fakaosilea absolutely smashed Olivia Brooks, the ensuing scrum creating an opportunity for her to score the points that sealed an incredible Queensland win. 

8:30pm - Semi final - Hurricanes 14 Crusaders 10

Hurricanes fans are happy fans in Brisbane. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyA Jamie Booth double inside the first six minutes put the Hurricanes on the front foot, the Crusaders crossing through George Bridge for their solitary first term try.

The Canes took a 14-5 lead into the break but it was the Crusaders that struck first after the break, setting up a grandstand finish when Manasa Mataele scored.

But a last gasp effort to force their way into the grand final was not a fruitful venture, the Canes cleaning up a loose ball in their own half and booting it into touch, setting up a showdown with the Blues at 9:15pm AEDT.

8:15pm - Tens yet to find sweet spot

Those that have attended the Tens have added plenty of flair. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyDuco Events CEO Rachael Carroll admits the Tens are yet to find their sweet spot, with crowd sizes a concern over the two day tournament.

“Certainly as an event promoter, you need to be agile and you need to be able to respond to the market," Carroll said.

"You need to be able to learn each time you put your event on and make those changes to make it successful.”

Read the full story here.

7:58pm - Semi-final - Blues 22 Reds 10

The fairytale run of the Reds is over, the Blues proving too clinical in booking a grand final berth.

Jayden Ngamanu set Suncorp alight early, plucking an intercept and running 75 metres to score under the sticks.

The Blues hit back with ferocity, Sam Nock touching down with a long range effort of his own to put Auckland up 7-5 with four minutes on the clock.Jayden Ngamanu scored a stellar intercept try. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyDaugunu saved a certain Blues try to Jordan Trainor three minutes later and Teti Tela forced a penalty at the breakdown from the ruck that followed.

That gave the Reds prime position but it was the Reds that took advantage, Jordan Olsen dancing his way through some woeful tackles from JP Smith and Harry Hockings to put the Blues up 12-5 at the break.

Another relatively soft try was scored by Kurt Eklund three minutes into the second term and that set the Reds a sizeable task, trailing 17-5 with the rain still falling.Tana Umaga's Blues are through to the final. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyAndrew Ready did his part when he burrowed over with four minutes to play but the Blues sealed the result with a try in the final minute.

They will face the winner of the Crusaders and Hurricanes clash at 9:15pm AEDT.

7:06pm - From school to Suncorp for Fakaosilea

Alysia Fakaosilea has starred for Queensland on the way to the women's final.

The teenager was given a half day off school at Canterbury College to play in the Tens on Friday, still just 17, but has played well beyond her age in the competition


Fakaosilea moved over from New Zealand just two years ago and the teen hasn't looked back since picking up the sport as a 14-year-old.

"Since I've come to Australia I've seen the game (grow), it's massive here," she said.

"Once I started playing, I started improving and some of the girls taught me a lot."

The 17-year-old said she was loving the first chance to play in front of a crowd of thousands.


"It's the first time I've ever experienced a massive crowd and playing with some of the Queensland women it's really good."

Queensland takes on NSW in the women's final at 7:30pm local, 8:30pm AEDT.

7:00pm - Quarter final - Hurricanes 35 Waratahs 24

The Hurricanes have squared the Australia-New Zealand ledger in the quarter finals, beating the Waratahs to book a semi-final showdown with the Crusaders.

The Waratahs crossed for an early five pointer through Alex Newsome after Tolu Latu picked off an intercept but the Canes returned serve with four unanswered tries.Alex Fidow and the Canes are through to the semi-finals. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyIt took until halfway through the second term for the Tahs to strike back with another intercept, Taqele Naiyaravoro plucking a pass on halfway and racing away to give his side a hope trailing 28-14 with five to play.

Mitch Short scored the Waratahs' third to put them within seven points with three to play but when wildcard Drew Mitchell was hammered and coughed up the ball, Malo Tuitama scored to put the result beyond doubt in the penultimate minute of play.

They will face the Crusaders at 8pm AEDT.

6:30pm - Quarter final - Reds 19 Chiefs 7

A stellar Reds performance has lit up Suncorp Stadium and booked their spot in the semi-finals, beating the Chiefs for the first Australian win over a Kiwi side this weekend.

The home side set up shop inside the Chiefs 22 for the first five minutes of the opening term but after Taniela Tupou spilled the ball, the Chiefs went 80 metres to score the opening try through Solomon Alaimano.

Samu Kerevi put an enormous shot on to save the Reds going down two scores and up the other end, Angus Blyth scored after Hamish Stewart cleaned up a loose ball just inside Chiefs territory.Izaia Perese scored the sealer for the Reds. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyThat levelled the score at 7-all at the break and immediately after play resumed, Kerevi won a penalty inside the Chiefs half, only for Izaia Perese to put the ensuing kick dead.

Blyth had a controversial double five minutes into the second term, his foot seeming to touch the white paint as he reached out to score in the right corner.

Tupou set Blyth's second up with a superb flick pass to put Michael Gunn away, the openside flanker throwing the final pass.

Izaia Perese then scored the sealer, Jayden Ngamanu selling some candy in a one-on-one 40 out from the Chiefs line, drawing the final defender and passing to Perese to put the result beyond doubt.

The home side will now face the Blues at 7:30pm AEDT.

6pm - QLD, NSW to square off in women's final

Queensland's women were far too good for Melbourne. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyQueensland flogged Melbourne 36-0 before NSW ensured they kept their perfect record intact with a 15-0 win over the Brumbies, setting up a State of Origin showdown in the women's grand final.

NSW finished top of the table with QLD earning second spot, their only loss coming when the two sides met yesterday.

The final will take place at 8:30pm AEDT.

5:30pm - Tahs talking positives ahead of finals

The Waratahs will play in the Brisbane finals despite taking just one win from three games, but that record doesn't worry coach Daryl Gibson.

Irae Simone missed a chance to even up the scores against the Chiefs in their final pool match, after taking a penalty goal shot in the final seconds, but Gibson said they knew they were through regardless, with a superior for and against to the Highlanders.

"We knew our points for and against was fine, we should go through as the second qualifier, so winning the game wouldn't have made any difference for us," he said.

"That's how I see it."


Gibson found some positives from a mixed pool outing, which included a two-point loss to the Highlanders and a big win over French side Pau on day one, despite being unable to best a Kiwi side.

"I thought the games we lost - obviously that one there (against the Chiefs) by three points and the one against the Highlanders by two.

"So, it shows we're competitive, we're just at the moment lacking that composure at crucial times to really take our points.

"This format really suits a lot of the Kiwi teams, with the more space and the skills they possess.

"So, it's good experience for our boys. I thought we fought hard and really starting to show what we can do."

The Waratahs will play in a qualifying final for a spot in the semi-finals at 5:30pm local, 6:30pm AEDT.

5:20pm - The finals equation

Taqele Naiyaravoro and the Tahs will play finals footy in Brisbane. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyWith the Hurricanes booking the last spot in the finals, the equation is now clear.

The Blues and Crusaders have finished first and second, respectively, granting them a free pass through to the semi-finals.

The Chiefs (3rd) will face the Reds (6th) at 6pm AEDT, with the Hurricanes (4th) facing the Waratahs (5th) at 6:30pm AEDT.

5:05pm - Pool C - Hurricanes 12 Brumbies 10

Mees Erasmus and the Brumbies will play no further part in Brisbane. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyThe Hurricanes have ended the Brumbies' hopes of advancing past the pool stage and booked a ticket to the finals in the process in the final pool match of the afternoon.

Jordan Jackson-Hope drew first blood for the Brumbies but the Hurricanes returned serve with interest, Alex Fidow scoring a critical double either side of half time.

Faalelei Sione then crossed with three minutes to play to set up a grandstand finish but the Brumbies couldn't break the Hurricanes line and as the final siren sounded, the Canes won a penalty and booted the ball into touch to progress to the finals.

4:35pm - Pool C - Crusaders 17 Fiji 0

The Crusaders are through to the semi-finals, booking a spot in the top two with a comfortable win over Fiji.

The hot favourites struck an early double blow through Jone Macilai-Tori and Richard Judd, the only two tries of the first term despite Fiji showing typical flair when they got their hands on the football.

Tom Christie added another for the Crusaders halfway through the second term, their defence taking centre stage as Fiji created several half chances, only to be shut down by solid scrambling defence.

That was enough for the tournament favourites to top their pool and finish second overall, the winner of the Brumbies-Hurricanes match to join them in the finals.

4:25pm - Shipperley's luck turning

Dom Shipperley is back. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyWe caught up with injury-ridden Rebels winger Dom Shipperley after his impressive return to rugby.

"There was times along the way where I questioned whether I should keep playing just because the nature of the injury took quite a long time to actually improve," he said.

"But in the last three or four months of last year I actually started to see some improvement and rejoined training and got through the full preseason, which was pretty good for me."

Check out the full story here.

4:15pm - Pool B - Chiefs 15 Waratahs 12

Harry Johson-Holmes and the Tahs are through to the finals. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyThe Waratahs couldn't end the Chiefs' unbeaten run but they have booked a spot in the semi finals on points difference.

Tries to Taqele Naiyaravoro and Mack Mason weren't enough to get past the defending champs, who have also booked a berth in the top six.

They will need results to go their way to stay in the top two, which would grant them automatic entry into the semi-finals.

3:45pm - Paisami presses his case

The Rebels' Tens tournament is over, but there have been some silver linings for youngsters like flanker Hunter Paisami.

Paisami was one of the few Super Rugby-contracted players in the squad for the weekend and said the competition was a rare chance to try and press his claims for a chance in the season.The Reds knocked the Rebels out of the competition. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley"It's pretty hard having all the Force guys coming down to Rebels, with all the Wallabies and all the new coaches and that," he said.

"So I have to try and step up (when I have games) like this one under my belt (and) opportunities to go and have a crack."

 Paisami said the side's perception of Tens had shifted over the two days.

 "It's similar to XVs but when we came out expecting it to be like Sevens," he said.


 "It's not like Sevens, (so I was) just trying to get in contact and reset."

 The Rebels play their final Super Rugby trial on Thursday against the Waratahs at Brookvale Oval.

3:43pm - Ioane, Ready weigh in post match



3:35pm - Pool B - Pau 22 Highlanders 7

The Highlanders have put their fate in the hands of the Waratahs, falling to Pau in their first win of the tournament.

To progress the Tahs must simply not lose by 38 or more when they face the Chiefs.The fate of the Highlanders now rests with the Waratahs. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyIt took six minutes but Paddy Butler finally broke the deadlock for Pau, a Conrad Smith chip-and-chase setting the French side up in the Highlanders red zone.

They added another two minutes later when Giovanni Habel-Kuffner wrestled his way over before Baptiste Pesenti crossed just before half time to open up a 17-0 lead.

Tevita Li finally hit the scoreboard for the Highlanders straight after the break but that was where the scoring started and finished for them, Frank Halai scoring to all but eliminate them from the tournament.

3:07pm - Pool A - Blues 29 Rebels 7

The Blues have topped Pool A. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyThe Rebels have been eliminated from the tournament, falling to the Blues and subsequently below the Reds on the Pool A standings.

Auckland struck an early double blow through Caleb Clarke and Tanielu Telea, Jordan Olsen crashing through the Rebels defence to add his side's third moments later.

The Blues had a fourth after a perfectly weighted chip and chase was tracked down for Clarke's second, opening up a 24-0 lead at the break which was never in any danger in the second half.

2:35pm - Pool A - Reds 38 Wild Knights 7

The Reds have all but ensured a finals berth with a massive win over Panasonic.

Panasonic drew first blood before a terrific run from Filipo Daugunu set up Andrew Ready for the Reds' best try of the tournament to date.Filipo Daugunu and the Reds are through to the finals. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyIzaia Perese struck next, Tate McDermott playing an influential hand in the phase play which worked the Reds deep into the Wild Knights red zone.

A quick tap was the spark for Queensland's next two minutes into the second term, McDermott getting the ball to Perese in a two-on-two and creating the opportunity for Jayden Ngamanu to slide to the outside of his defender and score.

Filipo Daugunu was the next to cross, showing some superb hands to take a Reece Hewat pass off his bootlaces, beat a defender and score.Jayden Ngamanu and the Reds have all but secured a finals berth. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Samu Kerevi created Queensland's fifth, juking his way down the left sideline before offloading to Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Perese nabbing a double at the death.

The Reds now just need the Rebels to lose to the Blues to book a finals berth.

2:03pm - Walker, Clark mic'd up

Some brilliant on field insight from Andrew Walker and Cam Clark here.



2pm - Mitchell's massage

Drew Mitchell didn't feature for the Waratahs yesterday but he's ready and raring to go today.

Share
Hurricanes survive fightback to regain Super Rugby top spot
LIVE: Rebels strike early against Chiefs in Melbourne
The Americans celebrate a huge win over the Wallaroos. Photo: Getty Images
Five things we learnt from Wallaroos - USA
USA down Wallaroos after second half comeback in Melbourne