The ACT Brumbies Women have opened their 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women's campaign in thrilling fashion, securing a hard-fought 15-12 victory over the Queensland Reds with an 80th-minute penalty goal at Ballymore Stadium.
In an absorbing contest defined by brutal defence and shifting momentum, it was fullback Faitala Moleka who stepped up for the visiting outfit, slotting the match-winning points after a fiercely contested second half.
The match began with intense physicality. The Brumbies came out firing from the kick-off, securing an early turnover through a monster counter-ruck to set the tone. Despite the visitors dominating early territory and testing the line, it was the Queenslanders who struck first.
In the 19th minute, the Reds capitalised on a penalty to set up a line out deep in attacking territory. While the Brumbies initially halted the resulting maul, Queensland prop Eva Karpani found the ball and darted over for the opening points.
The Brumbies' response was immediate.
Hooker Tania Naden secured a crucial turnover off the restart to put the visitors back on the attack. The pressure tolled on the home side in the 22nd minute when a collapsed maul near the try line saw Reds captain Jemma Bemrose sent to the bin for side entry.
The Brumbies immediately took advantage, pushing their way over from the ensuing line out in the 25th minute with Naden coming up with the goods to level the scores at 5-5.
Momentum stayed with the visitors. In the 29th minute, debutant Rayna Ellis disrupted a Reds lineout, allowing the Brumbies to send the ball swiftly out to the left edge. Ivania Wong crossed for her first try in Brumbies colours, and a successful conversion from Moleka saw the sides head into the break with the visitors leading 12-5.
The second half began with drama for the visitors.
As the Reds applied immense pressure inside the Brumbies half, and the visitors were dealt a heavy blow in the 45th minute when debutant Loose-head prop Linda Emelio was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.
Despite being a player down for the next 10 minutes, the Brumbies' defensive wall held strong against multiple Queensland raids down the open side. The mounting pressure eventually paid off for the home side in the 57th minute. Following a quick tap penalty five metres out, Harmony Vatau weaved her way through the defence to score and convert her own try to lock the game up at 12-all.
The final quarter descended into a tense battle for field position. The Brumbies found themselves repeatedly pinned near their own line, but captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona produced two crucial strip-tackles to relieve the pressure.
As the clock ticked down, the Brumbies mounted multiple attacking assaults on the reds defence. The sustained pressure forced a penalty from the home side in the 80th minute.
With the game on the line, Moleka stepped up and slotted the penalty, sealing a gritty victory for the ACT Brumbies.
The side will next run out on Sunday, 14 June, against the 2025 Champions, the NSW Waratahs, at home at Viking Park, kick-off at 2:05 pm.
