The Queensland Reds fought back to grind out a 17-12 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
Two teams searching for their first win in the Super W competition went head-to-head to wrap up round 2, with the Queensland Reds going against the Melbourne Rebels.
The opportunities were there for the Rebels, and the side from Melbourne had all the possession and territory. It was the Queensland Reds who were able to convert their time with the ball into points, breaking through a persistent Rebels defensive line.
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The Rebels ventured into Queensland territory early but were denied an early chance. The Reds opened the scoring, with fullback Kuana Lopa setting up Ivania Wong for a try from a long-range attack play.
The Rebels soon hit back with a try of their own, as hooker Ashley Marsters took the ball off the line-out and powered through the defence.
The Rebels forwards continued to be strong across the park with destructive runs and defensive shifts.
They were gritty and held out Queensland until Melanie Wilks split their defence and delivered a pin-point pass to put in Lopa for a try. The Reds finished the first half only three points in front.
In the second half, the Rebels continued to build phases and attacking opportunities but were repelled time and time again right on the Queensland defensive line.
It wasn’t until the 60th minute that the Rebels were able to break the stalemate. After repeated phases, Mel Kawa spied a gap on the side of the Queensland ruck and scored from 5 metres out for a well-earned try.
The tide turned for the Reds late in the game when the cavalry arrived from the subs bench and injected some much-needed go-forward in attack.
The Rebels went hard on the ball and managed to keep the Reds at bay for long periods towards the end of the game, but the Reds finally broke through for a try from Young gun April Ngatupuna, who broke off the back of the scrum for an impressive individual score to seal the match for the Queenslanders.
It was not to be for the Rebels, but their skipper Kawa was once again inspirational around the park, and Ashley Masters was again impressive.
The Reds will meet the President’s XV in round 3 on Wednesday, while the Rebels now have the bye following the withdrawal of the Western Force from the Super W competition.
Sunday 27 May 1:00 pm AEST – Rebels v Reds at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport
REBELS (1-15): Janita Kareta, Ashley Marsters, Eirenei Nanai, Nuala O’Connor, Tiarah Minns, Michaela Maunsell, Melanie Kawa (c), Willow Rowland, Georgia Cormack, Allysaa Loliesio-Pua, Kelera Ratu, Jade Te Aute, Rosalia Leumuava, Annie Buntine, Jemma Collins,
Reserves: Emily Harvey, Celeste Utumapu, Maryann Utai, Norma Fuaiva’a, Utumalfata Eli, Kirsty Matapa, Sarah Hogan, Amy Williams,
INs: Georgia Cormack, Utumalfata Eli
OUTs: Nawel Remini, Jessica Campbell
REDS (1-15): Maletina Brown, Madi Shuck, Christina Sekona, Aleena Greenhalgh, Annabelle Codey, Carola Kreis, Lucy Lockhart, Lesa Kaleti Mattafa, Cobie-Jane Morgan (c), Loretta Lealiifano, Ivania Wong, Cecilla Smith, Melanie Wilks, Natalie Wright, Kauna Lopa
Reserves: Tiarna Molloy, Theresa Solai, Hilisha Samoa, Bree-Anna Cheatham, Vetekina Fangloka, April Ngatupuna, Asaka Ono, Diaz Seumanutafa
INs: Natalie Wright, Hilisha Samoa, Vetekina Fangloka, Theresa Solai
OUTs: Emily Bass, Theresa Soloai, Lesa Kaleti Mataafa, Sophie Holyman
