History Made By Reds' women in Tonga
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A superb two-try performance from centre Mel Wilks highlighted the Queensland Reds’ historic meeting with Tonga in Nuku’alofa today.
The first match abroad in the 28-year history of the Reds’ women’s team was a landmark in more ways than one as the score ticked to 65-0 by full-time.
For winger Ivania Wong, her first half try was the perfect way to celebrate a record and how far the women’s game has advanced since her debut.
Her 38th game for the Reds makes her the all-time leading cap-winner for Queensland, a feat achieved in a streak.
The unfortunate spin-off was Wong being carried from the field with an ankle injury in the second half and heading to hospital for X-rays.
For the Tongan women, their passionate jumper presentation ceremony on match eve showed how much it meant to play for a first time in their homeland.
Co-captain Carola Kreis crossed for three of the 11 tries, her best supporting on the inside when teenage back Mercedez Taulelei-Siala made a fine swerving break down the right touchline.
The Reds were on the scoreboard early when standout Wilks took a quick tap and surged over from 20m out.
It was reflective of the Bond University centre’s first half. She was the most direct line-bender on the field with her determined ball-carries and ability to stay on her feet through contact.
She repeated the dose early in the second half with a second try from 30m out.
“The Tongan girls definitely brought the physicality in the first half (15-0). Our fitness and skills told in the end,” Kreis said.
“I’m most pleased that all the girls who turned up from clubland found their feet.
“It’s an honour to make this tour to Tonga and it wouldn’t have been possible without what PacificAus Sports are putting into building relationships like this in the Pacific.”
The early 5-0 start became 10-0 midway through the first half when fullback Lori Cramer fed Wong for a try after well-worked build-up.
Wallaroo Cramer’s good hands and touches always added to the flow of the Reds because she’d made a fine cleanout earlier in the play.
With four debutants in the starting side and another four getting chances from the bench, it was always going to be intriguing to see who stood up.
Bond University flanker Zoe Hanna was an eye-catcher with her composed handling and involvements.
Centre Ariana Hira did not shirk the heavy contacts when ball-carrying, new lock Tiarah Minns added height and lineout aplomb and No.8 Maggie McConnachie made some strong metres with the ball.
It was the experienced core of the team which got the Reds humming. That included Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani, back at the Reds after a title-winning season with NSW in Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s.
Her scrummaging, her trademark K-Train runs and a relieving second half penalty earned when she got her hands on Tongan ball near the tryline were marks of quality.
New Wallaroos halfback Nat Wright gave the Reds every chance with her fast service, long pass and eager eye to always go on the attack.
Hooker Tiarna Molloy’s workrate and impact was up and lock Lucy Thorpe was busy.
There was a debut in the final quarter of the match for 17-year-old Queensland Country flanker Bliss Wilkins, a wonderful honour for the Brothers Sunshine Coast forward.
University of Queensland winger Tess Littleton christened her debut off the bench with a late try while April Ngatapuna’s strong ball-carrying earned a deserved try when she joined the backrow from the bench.
“Being able to connect with the Tongan culture and represent Queensland for the first time…it’s an amazing experience,” said Littleton, a Toowoomba product.
Australia’s PacificAus Sports program made the tour of Tonga possible for the women’s and men’s teams.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
QUEENSLAND REDS 65
Tries: Carola Kreis 3, Mel Wilks 2, Ivania Wong, Eva Karpani, Tiarna Molloy, Tess Littleton, April Ngatupuna, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
Conversions: Carys Dallinger 5
Def
TONGA LOFA 0
Half-time: Reds 15-Tonga 0
