Force teenager shocks Reds, Drua overcome Brumbies

Teenage debutant Ai Dickson has stepped up in the Western Force’s moment of need to secure a stirring 21-17 comeback victory against last year’s Super Rugby Women grand finalists Queensland.

The Force were looking to pick up their first win of the season and boost their hopes of a finals berth at Perth’s Wanneroo Rugby Club on Saturday.

But their victory aspirations looked in doubt as they trailed 17-7 at halftime.

Wallaroo Michaela Leonard sparked the comeback by scoring in the 68th minute, and with minutes to spare, coach Dylan Parsons thrust Dickson onto the field.

In the 79th minute, his decision paid dividends when the 19-year-old crashed over in the left corner to steal the victory off the Reds.

The loss is another dent in Queensland’s hopes of making the finals, as they’ve yet to pick up a win and have only two games, against the ladder-leading NSW Waratahs and the high-flying Fijiana Drua, to rescue their season.

Elsewhere, the Wallaroos may have to count the cost of the ACT Brumbies’ 42-25 loss to the Drua after star flyhalf Ella Ryan suffered an ankle injury.

Ryan, who debuted for Australia in April, was aiming to make a try-saving tackle when she awkwardly clattered into a barnstorming Salaseini Railumu in the second half at Four R Stadium in Ba, Fiji.

The 23-year-old was left gripping her leg with an agonising grimace on her face before she gingerly hobbled off the field with the support of doctors.

Ryan’s potential loss for the Brumbies would deal a significant blow to their post-season ambitions as they have just one match remaining to lock in a top-four spot, having missed out on finals last year.

After a see-sawing first half where scores were locked at 20-all, Fijiana stepped up in the second period with flanker Railumu, prop Karalaini Naisewa and winger Repeka Tove crossing before inside centre Josivini Naihamu took an intercept and ran about 70 metres to seal the bonus-point win.