Underdog so close to big upset
BRAVE, exhausted and fighters with underdog hearts into extra-time but still heartbroken.
The fairytale ending to a superb Queensland effort was snatched away by a NSW penalty goal on the last play of a thrilling SuperW women’s rugby final last night.
The Waratahs triumphed 16-13 in Sydney and you had to salute their veteran skipper and fullback Ash Hewson, 37, for what the moment meant.
It came 10 years after her debut in a NSW jersey when women’s rugby was anonymous.
No longer. After the skill and speed of women’s sevens came last night’s physical crunch with the intensity of the NSW pick-and-drive game and every point hard-earned in 15-a-side.
Hewson slotted the winning penalty goal from close range after replacement Reds prop Toa Filimoehala had impatiently dived over a ruck to get to the NSW halfback.
It came after Hewson had got her team to extra-time by making the crucial try-saving tackle on Samantha Treherne to bundle the Reds fullback into touch just two metres out.
“Hats off to Queensland ... you brought everything you had,” Hewson said.
“This shows how far the game has come from the first round (in March) and the potential for how far SuperW can go.”
Hewson did well to bounce back after a huge fend from Reds centre Nareta Marsters had jolted her to the turf early in the second half.