A minor vent. It is very disappointing that the Super Rugby W competition heads into Round five and it is the final round of the competition.
Five rounds and only four matches is not really a competition especially compared to probably any other sport in Australia. Five teams, four make the semis is quite unique. Despite the excitement over the home World Cup in 2029, with the current structure of the domestic competition rugby really cannot put a dent in any of the other sports.
Also, such a short competition does not give a player who gets injured the time to get back playing. One can objectively appreciate Rugby AU is skint and cannot afford to have a home and away series. But subjectively it is still disappointing for fans and players alike.
Vent completed.
First up was the Reds and the Brumbies. While fully appreciating rugby is a team sport it cannot be ignored that a primary focus on this game was “How is Charlotte Caslick going to go?”. Let us just cut to the chase, for her first starting game she did really well.
She was never going to tear up the match in attack with her running game in her first start. But at one point the commentator said she had 12 carries, run for 115 metres and beaten seven players – that’s not too shabby.
Three things stood out. Her defence as always is excellent. You are always confident she will make her tackles especially in the last line of defence at fullback. Her ability to see where the space is and use cut-out passes was just quality. One of them led to a try. The only other fullback who does that is injured Tahs youngster Caitlyn Halse. Finally, with her rugby sevens expertise putting her head into dark places, getting over the ball to get a turnover, tick, she did that as well.
No surprise, Caslick can play 15s.
Charlotte Caslick of the Reds in action during the round three Super Rugby Women’s match between Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs at Ballymore Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images)
But what else happened?
It was another close match up with the Reds winning 26-22. The Brumbies just cannot get a win. The first half would have to be given to the Brumbies. They seemed more structured and they led at halftime 14-12. But the Reds in the second half had a bit more go-forward and attack. It was not until the 50th minute where the Reds able to get to the lead via a Caslick cut-out pass to Piper Flynn for a try. The Reds scored again a couple of minutes later. They went from down 14-12 to leading 26-14 in four minutes. The last five to ten minutes of the match were frantic. It looked like the Reds had it sewn up but the Brumbies came back with a penalty kick and a try but could not quite do enough.
Lori Cramer did a good job at 10 and, along with goal kicking, has demonstrated her value. With competition for Wallaroo outside back positions being intense, her utility value is a real plus. Of the three locks on show for Wallaroos selection the Reds’ Tiarah Minns stood out.
However, it is always hard assessing locks, they do a lot of the down and dirty work that does not hit the highlight reels. A player who seems to be warming into her season is Eva Karpani, she had a couple of her trademark runs. Similarly prop Bree-Anna Browne put in another solid 50 minutes. But the Reds scrum is still pretty average.
If there was to be a Wallaroo backrow bolter, look no further than the Brumbies’ Chioma Enyi. She has been impressive for the Brumbies in every game. Arguably the Brumbies have the competition’s best backrow with Pesi Palu and Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Both halves coming off the bench – Reds’ Nat Wright and Brumbies’ Jay Huriwai – picked up the pace for their respective teams. The points probably went to Wright whose team seemed to be more on the front foot. But Huriwai showed what she brings and no doubt wants her Wallaroos position from Wright, who took over while she was out injured. The Wallaroos halfback selection decisions are going to be very hard.
It does not get any easier for the Brumbies who deserve a win. Next week they are at home against the Waratahs.
On Sunday it was the Western Force vs Fijian Drua
The Western Force had a good win 47-31. It was a high scoring and highly physical game played in intense hot weather. The Force should be pleased with the win.
It was an odd game in many ways. On the one hand normally a team with a significantly dominant scrum can dominate the game and often get the win. The Drua have the best scrum of all the teams with a 97% win rate and were dominant in this game.
On the flipside they are the most penalised team in the competition. In this game their discipline was an issue and two yellow cards did not help their cause. The Force lost their hooker and a prop in the first 15 minutes, so the replacements had to come on early and racked up a lot of minutes in the blazing heat. By the end of the game Ash Marsters had to step up as hooker.
Early in the game it seemed the Drua were in one of those moods where they were going to dominate and run away with a win. But that did not happen. It was due to a combination of the Drua’s discipline and the mighty boot of the Force’s flyhalf Grace Freeman. She can get the Force out of trouble and down the other end with her boot. She also gets real distance kicking for touch and is a quality goal kicker. No doubt she has the best boot in the competition.
The Drua always bring physicality, and the Force were able to match it especially with their backrow of Tamika Jones, Kiwi Pia Tapsell and Marsters. All three imposed themselves. Despite the scoreline, the defence was very strong physically on both sides. A real plus was the Force being able to convert almost every visit into the Drua’s 22 with a try.
Despite the Drua starting well and scoring first by half time the Force were up 33-14. In the second half, the Drua replied with tries but the Force were able to just keep ahead by a score or two to take the win.
The Force wingers played well. Brooklyn Teki Joyce does not have a big build but more than holds her own in defence and has some toe while Fijian sevens star Adi Vani Buleki is seriously fast.
Halfback Mio Yamanaka had terrific game. She is an Energizer bunny, gets to all the rucks and just goes non-stop. She is only small but is also a tough bunny. She took one big hit but bounced up, showed no pain but she must have been hurting.
Lastly, it was good to see Michaela Leonard back from injury and she had a slid return.
Next week the Force travel to Ballymore to take on the Queensland Reds. The match may well decide who has a home semi-final.
Hugh_96https://ift.tt/4dvRrPO Rugby W: Reds too good for Brumbies – no surprise, Caslick can play 15s – but there’s one thing comp must fix
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