The Melbourne Rebels Super W season has got off to a tough start following a 112-0 defeat to Queensland Women at Box Hill Rugby Club on Sunday.
The Rebels were unable to stop the speed and passing of the Queenslanders, largely thanks to three hattrick performances from Ivania Wong, Alana Elisaia and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea.
In hot conditions, Queensland hit the scoreboard first, swinging the ball across the field and cutting through Melbourne’s defensive line, allowing Laviana Gold to side step multiple opponents for a try.
The Queenslanders quickly followed with their second try for the day, putting the Rebels under siege and taking possession, with Christina Sekona able to use her size to drive her way to a try.
After some promising possessions for the Rebels, Queensland countered, with Alana Elisaia breaking down the far sideline and dropping off a pass to Cecilia Smith for their third try of the half.
Smith found the line again in the 31st minute, after being the beneficiary of some slick passing through the middle of the field.
Before Melbourne had a chance to catch their breath, Queensland had scored their fourth try inside 20 minutes.
Some great passing allowed Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea to find the gap down the sideline for her first try.
A Melbourne turnover gave Queensland the ball back, as they pushed it wide where Ivania Wong was able to bustle her way through multiple defenders to become Queensland’s fifth try scorer for the day.
The final five minutes belonged to Alana Elisaia, as she scored twice down the sideline after several passes across the field exposed Melbourne, with the back being the beneficiary on both occasions.
Queensland added to their lead early in the second half, forcing their way to the line for the early try.
Lori Cramer followed suit three minutes later as the visiting side broke away down the middle of the field, with the captain able to score her first try.
The Rebels found some life early in the second half as they strung together multiple phases, but their positive start was quickly shut down.
Cobie-Jane Morgan countered for Queenland, adding her first try in the 54th minute, which was quickly followed by Kiri Lingman, who converted her first try after the back used her strength and power to drive her way to the line in the 59th minute.
Iviana Wong joined her three minutes later, breaking through to score her second try.
Lefau-Fakaosilea, Ivania Wong and Alana Elisaia were all able to break through the Melbourne defence late in the second half and bring up a hat-trick each, finishing off the game in style for Queensland.
The Rebels will look to bounce back in their next match against the Brumbies on Sunday in Canberra.
