Reds hold on for thrilling Super W semi win over Brumbies

Sun, Apr 30, 2023, 6:54 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Reds advanced to the Final with a hard-fought win over the Brumbies. Photo: Getty Images
The Reds advanced to the Final with a hard-fought win over the Brumbies. Photo: Getty Images

The Queensland Reds will play the Fijiana Drua in the Super W Final after a thrilling 22-20 victory over the ACT Brumbies.

Winger Heleina Young turned the game after a quick Brumbies start, scoring a second-half double after an early Tania Naden brace.

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Wallaroo Grace Kemp levelled it up with a great run towards the end, setting up the grandstand finish.

With the game set to head to golden point, flyhalf Carys Dallinger came up with the game-winning penalty with 90 seconds to go.

They will face the Drua in Townsville after the defending champions upset the NSW Waratahs to start the doubleheader.

The Brumbies have fought their way into the finals off the back of the rolling maul and it was no different to start the semi-final.

Vice-captain Tania Naden piloted the pack perfectly, scoring twice in the first 12 monies for a 12-0 lead.

The Reds worked their way back into the contest and a great Annabelle Codey break set up Renae Nona for the instant response.

Tiarna Molloy looked set to level it up, only to be stopped by a last-ditched tackle from Gisela Vea, backed by Kate Holland with her own try-saving effort.

Naden almost had her third towards the end of the first half, brought back for a forward pass as they took a seven-point lead into the interval.

Needing a spark, it was Heleina Young that took it upon herself to change the game

The former sprint champion took the ball from her own half and sprinted past the Brumbies' defence to level it up.

She then backed up a break from Dianne Hiini to give them the lead with just over 30 minutes to go.

Sarah Riordan nearly had the ideal response for the Brumbies, only to be held up over the line. 

Not to worry for Scott Fava's side as Grace Kemp brutalised the Reds' defence minutes later to level it up, breaking three tacklers to slam it down.

Codey was immense for the Reds and nearly had the game-winner when he burst away, only stopped by some desperate cover defence.

Flyhalf Dallinger eventually took advantage of their field possession, slotting the goal with first choice kicker Cecilia Smith succumbing to a head knock.

Her counterpart Faitala Moleka showed composure beyond her years as the 18-year-old tied it up with four minutes to go.

In the end, the Kiwi-born Dallinger had the chance to win from 30 metres out after a late hit on Renae Nona

As the darkness took over Concord Oval, the playmaker made no mistake to send the Reds into the Final after a late Brumbies charge

It gives the Reds a shot at their first Super W title after missing the Final last year following a shutout defeat to the Waratahs

REDS 22 (TRIES: Young 2, Nona; CONS: Smith 1/2; PENS: Dallinger 2/2) def BRUMBIES 20 (TRIES: Naden 2, Kemp; CONS: Moleka 1/2; PENS: Moleka 1/1)

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