Super W: ACT Brumbies fall short against New South Wales in Sydney
ACT Brumbies women's coach Tony Doherty is sure the club's maiden win is just around the corner following a gutsy effort against New South Wales in Sydney on Saturday.
In just their second game of Super W the Brumbies hung tough before a string of late penalties allowed NSW to grind out a 24-5 win as Chloe Leaupepe starred with 19 points.
Merrin Starr is a Brumbies Super W front-rower.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/rugby.com.auWallaroos lock Kate Brown made her presence known on debut, before her Australian teammate Violeta Tupuola came off the bench and Black Ferns second-rower Charlene Gubb crossed for a try.
Doherty said his side just lacked polish against a strong opposition but added it was "for sure an improvement" on their inaugural match last week.
"We let in a soft try late in the game and the last pass not sticking and one or two missed tackles was the difference, that and our inability to hold the ball," Doherty said.
"They had opportunistic tries and put points on when they got their chances, we had opportunities but couldn't capitalise.
"I thought out set-piece was very good and we put them under lots of pressure, our line speed in defence was very good and we were getting up and making that tackle and stopping their penetration.
"The confidence in the team is definitely lifting and I'm sure that first win isn't far away."
The Brumbies now travel to Melbourne to face the Rebels at Aami Park on Friday night.
"We're looking forward to that opportunity and getting our players back on the paddock and just getting all those little things we've been working on to hopefully stick," Doherty said.
"We had to come up and back to Sydney in one day, unfortunately that's just how it is at the moment, but in Melbourne we'll stay in a hotel which will help our preparation.
"It's a nice stadium down there and double-header with the Super Rugby, the team is really looking to build on the momentum we've got but it's a shame there's only two more games left in the season."
AT A GLANCE:
NSW 24 (tries: Parker, Leaupepe 2; cons: Leaupepe 3; pens: Leaupepe) beat ACT BRUMBIES 5 (tries: Gubb)