The Queensland Reds have secured a top-two finish in the 2023 Buildcorp Super W competition, defeating the reigning premiers Fijiana Drua 45-22 at Wests Rugby Club.
In what was the final round of the regular season, the Reds ran in seven tries to four in dominant display, GPS winger Heleina Young scoring a try in her Queensland and Super W debut.
The win sets up a semi-final clash with the ACT Brumbies in Sydney next Sunday afternoon.
It was a dream start for the Reds, Carola Kreis crossing out wide in the opening minute after a Young linebreak propelled Queensland downfield.
The visitors hit back with a pair of quick tries to Siteri Rasolea and Litia Marama, before the Reds had their second courtesy of Haidee Head. It was another Young break that put Queensland in position to score, with Head’s support line seeing the backrower score under the posts. Cecilia Smith converted to even the scores at 12-all in the 33rd minute.
Alana Elisaia scored off a Diane Hiini break to give Queensland their third, with Smith’s second conversion putting the Reds into a 19-12 lead at the break.
A five-minute, three-try blitz extended the Reds lead to 38-17 by the 51st minute after Fijiana opened the second-half scoring early.
It was skipper Shannon Parry who started the action for Queensland, the backrower finishing off a pinpoint Carys Dallinger crossfield kick.
Smith was next to score, the competition’s leading point scorer continuing her hot streak, before Young showed her pace to beat a number of defenders and race over 40-metres to score her first Super W try.
Ellie Draper made sure of the result in the 74th minute, crossing out wide for her side’s seventh try of the afternoon to sew up a 45-22 win.
Queensland take on the Brumbies for a spot in the Grand Final at Concord Oval next Sunday afternoon.
