Making it to the Super Rugby Women's finals for the second year in a row, the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies had a highly successful 2024 season showcasing plenty of highlights and milestones from the club in the capital.
Comprising the Brumbies Best in 2024 is the 'Big Moments', 'Millestones' and 'Season Summary' which are all detailed below.
In a season littered with moments to be celebrated, 2024 certainly had some standouts which are detailed below.
First Competition win over the Queensland Reds
In Round 3 of the competition the Women from the capital headed up the coast of Australia all the way to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Facing the Reds coming off the back of a home win against the Rebels the Brumbies Women managed to beat the Reds for the first time.
Making the achievement all the more impressive is how the side managed the feat, beating the side by 17 points in their own stronghold in Brisbane. This game served as a warning to the rest of the competition that the Brumbies Women are a dangerous force to be reckoned with.
Consecutive finals series
Despite Super Rugby Women's being such a highly competitive environment among the six competing teams the Brumbies have managed to force their way into the finals series for the second season in a row in 2024. A testament to the sides grit and determination to work hard for their fellow Brumbies teammates, the accomplishment is a culmination of the true talent and desire of the sides 2024 squad.
Continuing to build a solid foundation for future seasons in the competition the Brumbies showed their growth this season through both experienced veterans and budding talent.
Front Rowers becoming Try scoring sensations
When arriving to the club in 2023, head coach Scott Fava has said that he aimed to develop a dominant forward pack to not only match any other side in the competition but have the ability to overpower them.
This season the Brumbies pack became a dominant force especially in the sides front row. With hooker Tania Naden and prop Sally Fuesaina nabbing 6 and 4 tries respectively competitors were certainly never short of try scoring threats.
As Naden continued to prove her brilliance around the back of a maul, the hooker managed to find plenty of five-pointers this season though her expert knowledge of when to make her dart for the try-line.
Meanwhile, Sally Fuesaina just cemented herself as a wrecking ball close to the opposition line. Seemingly impossible to stop in close range the prop reached new heights this season and she was certainly rewarded for it on the scoreboard.
25 Caps
Siokapesi Palu - Captain of the club, a Wallaroo and a leader in every sense of the word. Siokapesi played her 25th match for the Brumbies this season which is a remarkable achievement and a testament to her dedication to the club and her teammates.
A workhorse both on and off the field, she also became the highest capped Brumby in 2024 surpassing many greats of the club.
20 Caps
Tania Naden, Biola Dawa, Iris Verebalavu
10 Caps
Sally Fuesaina, Kate Holland, Lydia Kavoa, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Jemima McCalman, Ashlea Bishop, Jess Grant, Faitala Moleka
Debutants
Chioma Enyi, Kayla Sauvao, Allana Sikimeti, Iroha Kishimoto, Katalina Amosa, Kolora Lomani, Loretta Mailangi, Kyah Little, Bonnie Brewer, Erika Maslen, Madeleine Gogala
Wallaroos
Following the end of the season the Wallaroos selected their squad which included a total of 10 Brumbies. Making it into the squad once again to cap off their great seasons is Siokapesi Palu, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Tania Naden and Faitala Moleka.
Additionally in the squad for the first time in their careers is Lydia Kavoa, Allana Sikimeti, Sally Fuesaina and Biola Dawa.
Finally the Brumbies also have two representatives earning their spot in the Wallaroos development group with Ashley Fernandez and Ashlea Bishop joining the crew.
Round 1 v NSW Waratahs
While Round 1 was a tough lesson for the Brumbies, the 45-10 loss became a key motivator for the season ahead. Taking on the Waratahs in Sydney is no easy feat and this is where Fuesaina would begin to show off her try-scoring prowess early in Round 1. Securing the sides only try of the night, the props performance that night set a standard for the Brumbies season to come, non-stop effort and grit.
Round 2 v Melbourne Rebels
A bounce back win following a heavy defeat in Round 1, the women from the capital defended their home ground with pride in the second game with a hard fought 24-22 win over the Rebels. The match went back and forth with multiple lead changes during the afternoon but it was a battle of the number two's at GIO Stadium.
Both sides hookers stood up for their sides with both Naden and Jayme Nuku securing two tries for their respective sides, but it was Faitala Moleka who would be the difference as the Brumbies slim win attributed to the number 10's boot.
Round 3 v Queensland Reds
The Brumbies statement game of the season was their dominant 31-14 victory over the Reds. With the visitors rampaging through Suncorp, Biola Dawa would boast the best game of her Super Rugby Women's career.
Barreling over multiple defenders almost every run she took, the flyer seemed unstoppable for the duration of the match. Not to be shown up by her fellow winger Jemima McCalman also stood up in Queensland securing two tries to continue piling on the points against the home side.
Round 4 v Fijian Drua
Cruising after a past two weeks of impressive wins the Brumbies women were ambushed at home in Round 4, with a 20-7 loss against the Drua.
Putting up a terrific effort against the international side, despite being beaten by 13 points the Brumbies only conceded one more try in the match, with kicking being 10 points of the difference. The match was another grind in the capital, with the sides only try coming from Naden in the 23rd minute.
Round 5 v Western Force
The final regular season Round took place at Viking Park where the Brumbies would fall short 36-38 against the Western Force. Conceding three tries in the opening 15 minutes the Brumbies were forced to chase points early and fell just short.
The match showed the sides capability to score and do it fast. Scoring rapid fire tries in the first half when chasing points the Brumbies actually managed to go into half-time with the lead. However, the Force would just outdo their counterparts from the capital with a three tries to two tally in the second half the team fell just short ahead of their first finals game.
Semi Final v NSW Waratahs
Showing plenty of promise throughout the five round season the Brumbies Women turned up to Allianz Stadium for the second time in the season to take on the undefeated Waratahs. Despite losing the match 47-27 the side showed off one of their most competitive efforts in the season against the eventual competition winners in the Waratahs.
Similarly to the Force, the Waratahs stretched out to an early lead with a 28-7 lead after 30 minutes of play, with Dawa finding the sides only try so far in the right corner off a scrum play. However, the Brumbies forwards showed their fight and barnstormed their way through the Waratahs defence for three tries within the pack with Fuesaina, Kate Holland and Allana Sikimeti all securing a five-pointer.
During the attempted comeback the Brumbies manages to get within 8 points of the 36 point margin Grand Final Winners. Despite the loss marking an end to the Brumbies 2024 efforts, the team finished on a high and sent out a notice to all competitors in 2025.
