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It was a good weekend for Aussie Rugby fans, with the U18s winning on the other side of the Tasman Sea and the Wallaroos winning on the other side of the Indian Ocean.
But, it was a great weekend if you were a Queensland rugby fan – with the Sunshine state dominating in Super Rugby U16s and U19s, the first round of Next Gen Sevens, and in the Australian Rugby Shield.
Starting off in Canberra, the Reds put on a commanding display in the Super Rugby U16s, dispatching the Brumbies 53-19 at Viking Park. While the Brumbies were able to sneak in a few tries, the class of the visitors proved too much to handle, controlling the match for the vast majority of the game and dominating both up front and in the backline.
The U19s continued the good streak for Queensland – to the exact degree – with their side running out 53-12 winners as well.
Reds centre Xavier Rubens on the charge in Canberra. Photo: Brumbies Media
Truth be told, it was much the same story – with the Brumbies outclassed all around the park, and Queensland firing a major warning shot to the rest of the competition – especially the Waratahs, who produced similarly punishing results against the Rebels last week.
Meanwhile, across the border, it was a much tighter affair as the Rebels and Force played out two entertaining clashes at LaTrobe’s University Sports Park.
The Rebels side got their season back on track after their humiliating loss to the Tahs last week, winning 27-24 over the Force, with Samson Tuaine producing a strong performance at centre for the hosts, with his boot proving the difference between the two sides.
The Force did have several great performers, especially prop Dozion Laupama and back-row gun Rudolf Johannes Van Der Merwe, with the latter scoring a double for his efforts.
However, the men from the West would get their revenge in the U19s, winning 47-22 and playing some quality rugby despite miserable conditions in the Victorian capital.
The real standout – and encouraging signs for the Force – was Boston Fakafanua, with the Academy midfielder and Australia U20s representative picking up a hattrick for his efforts in the first half. It was an ideal way to end the weekend for the Force, who will now go into the bye.
The Rebels will stay in Melbourne this upcoming weekend to take on the Brumbies, while the Reds return to Ballymore for arguably their biggest clash of the competition – against the Waratahs.
While it was a good weekend for the Reds fans, their U15s team did go down to the Waratahs 27-19 at home.
Heelers break drought to win Australian Rugby Shield, Kestrels earn maiden title
History was made on the Sunshine Coast, as the Queensland Country Heelers broke a 24-year drought in the Australian Rugby Shield, downing their arch-rivals the NSW Country Cockatoos 31-19.
It was an enjoyable afternoon at Caloundra Rugby Club for fans of the Sunshine State, with the Heelers burying the failures of past losses with a commanding, well-deserved win.
Colby Mason was particularly notable for the hosts, having a solid day with the tee, while the forward pack also picking several penalty tries for their efforts.
Michael Walton came close to an upset, scoring for the Cockatoos to get them back in the contest, but a charge down off the conversion attempt put the result beyond doubt.
However, a clean sweep was not to be for Queensland, as the ACT & NSW Kestrels earned themselves a maiden title in the Women’s Shield, winning 15-10 over the Queensland Country Orchids.
Martha Fua, who recently excelled in the inaugural Australia A clash in Samoa earned the best performance on ground, scoring a try and leading the side on the defence as they withstood a strong fightback from the hosts.
Reeghyn Beardmore picked up both tries for the Orchids, but it would prove to not be enough as they fell at the final hurdle for the second time in as many years.
Reds and Tahs share spoils in Sydney
The first round of the Next Gen 7s kicked off this weekend at Forshaw Rugby Park, with the Waratahs and Reds playing four fixtures – and coming aware with two results apiece.
Featuring the return of several key sevens players mixed in with emerging talent – including Carys Dallinger – the Reds picked up the first and last fixtures of the day, prevailing 28-17 and 26-10 in both matches, respectively.
The Tahs however proved up to the challenge in the middle half of the day, winning the match 34-0 before prevailing in a tightly contested contest, 12-10.
The next round of the competition continues next week at Toowoomba’s Clive Berghofer Stadium, with four more fixtures plus a Darling Downs Girls Sevens comp.
