COVID fears hit Australian XVs season

The introduction of new lockdowns following outbreaks in New South Wales has caused the cancellation of the two test series with Samoa, planned for next month, and also the withdrawal of one of the teams competing in this year’s Super W.

Rugby Australia say that "the series with Samoa will be rescheduled for an alternate window to prioritise the welfare of both teams' players and staff". RA CEO Andy Marinos added  “I am disappointed for our Wallaroos squad following the postponement of their Series. It’s been a really challenging year for them with the postponement of the Rugby World Cup to 2022 and now this delay, before we can finally see them finally taking the field in the coming months. We are now busy seeking an appropriate window for the Tests to take place. I want to thank Grace Hamilton and the rest of the Wallaroos team, our sponsors and broadcasters for their understanding as well as Manusina Samoa, who were due to assemble next week."

After playing just one game, Western Force pulled out and flew home following concerns that future restrictions might have left them stranded in NSW, where the Super W is taking place Coffs Harbour a city 340 miles north of Sydney.. Despite the Force's withdrawal the rest of the tournament - due to end on 3rd July - continues as scheduled.

Six teams had been entered in the Super W this year with a President’s XV joining NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and Western Force in a truncated tournament that will see all of the games apart from the first two played at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium

The final stages of last year’s competition had also been cancelled with the title going to the Waratahs based on their unbeaten pool performance.

Since Super W began Waratahs and Reds have dominated the competition, with only the Brumbies offering significant opposition. Three figure scores have not been unusual in their meetings with Rebels and Force.

As a result, NSW Waratahs 47-26 win in the 2021 tournament’s opening game against Reds was in many ways a positive result for the Queensland team.

The problem with the tournament is that talent is not evenly distributed between the teams and, while Reds fielded several debutants, NSW Waratahs could call on a stack of Wallaroos.

The Waratahs were three tries up on 20 minutes before a yellow card for Maya Stewart allowed the Reds into the game for a short while.  Nonetheless the visitors were 26-5 ahead at the break, with Maya Stewart already recording a hat-trick despite having spent 10 minutes in the bin. The wing added a fourth try soon into the second half.

Only when Waratahs took their foot off and emptied their bench did the Reds come back strongly at the end, scoring twice in the final ten minutes.

The Brumbies also began with a good win 30-5 win against Melbourne Rebels thanks to a dominant first half. The Rebels slowed their opponents down in the second period which was a much more even affair.

The tournament then moved to Coffs Harbour where last Thursday saw the new President’s XV tie 17-17 with Western Force in a game played before the new lockdown was announced.

The President’s XV is an invitational side of players from “the cusp of higher honours” – outstanding club players or players from the AON Uni 7s. As a new team with players from across Australia it took them a little while to get going against the Force, who opened the scoring, but the Presidents were never out of the game and finished well with wing Jemima McCalman scoring two late tries to tie the game.

But the potential of this new team was really shown on Sunday when they beat the Brumbies 19-13. They started as they had ended against The Force, Claudia Nielson and prop Candice Clay scoring in the opening minutes.

Up against the Wall the Brumbies started slowing the game down and took control, with a Halley Derera reducing the score and later in the half bringing her team level.vAn Ella Ryan penalty goal put them narrowly 13-12 ahead at the break.

The “PXV” began the second half as they had the first regaining the lead with a converted try from Jasmin Huriwai, first to a kick ahead from Tylah Vallance.

Brumbies dominated play for the last half-hour, but could find no way thrugh. A bone-rattling hit from PXV skipper Alex Sulusi forced a crucial turnover with two minutes to go in the match, allowing the PXV to secure an incredible victory.

On the same day Queensland Reds beat Melbourne Rebels 17-12. Tries from Kuana Lopa and Ivania Wong gave them a 10-7 lead at halftime. Mel Kawa put the Rebels ahead midway through the second half but a dramatic end to the game April Ngatupuna regained the lead for the Reds who then held out for the win.