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Sport

12 June, 2024

Home grown women too good for southern rivals at Outback Challenge

The combined North West-Gulf team was a strong force on the field.

By Matt Nicholls

Northern Outback’s Gabrielle Holder crosses to score a try in the second match against Southern Outback on Saturday.
Northern Outback’s Gabrielle Holder crosses to score a try in the second match against Southern Outback on Saturday.

A dozen female players from the Mount Isa and Gulf competitions will represent Outback Queensland next month after a dominant display at the Outback Challenge in Cloncurry.

While a lack of opposition meant some local players had to pull on the boots for Southern Outback, Northern coach Mal MacRae said the girls took the contest seriously.

“It was disappointing that we didn’t get the quantity of players we were hoping for,” he said.

“But there were also some local players who didn’t turn up, while those in the Gulf made the effort to come down.

“It was still a good contest and with selection in the Outback side up for grabs I thought our players stood up.”

Northern played Southern in two matches at Eddie Lee Fields on Saturday.

In the first match, Northern ran riot, winning 20-4.

In the second match, scores were level at 8-apiece when time expired.

“We did move players around a little bit, however I think the girls were tired more than anything,” MacRae said.

“Playing two games in one day is not something they are used to.”

MacRae praised the efforts of his charges, who hadn’t trained together until the day before the game.

“We also moved players into positions they may not be used to because we wanted to show the selectors they had versatility,” the coach said.

He said Carly Cooper at lock, Jordan Marshall at dummy half and skipper Hannah Clarke were the standouts, along with Gabrielle Holder and Minnie Rigby Wheeler.

MacRae also gave mention to the likes of Chontelle George, Rachel Baine and Candice Page, who played for Southern.

“I was not surprised when they named the Outback team and it was full of players from our part of the world,” he said.

“Next year I’d love to see the Gulf have its own team, the North West with another, as well as Central West and South West.”

Meanwhile, the Northern men suffered two losses in their Outback Challenge matches, albeit improved out of sight as the day went on.

Coach Darren Munns was frustrated with his charges following a 24-16 loss in the opening game of the day.

Central West fired out of the blocks to run up the score before the Northern side found its groove.

“We lacked some discipline with the ball ... we didn’t want to put the work in and complete sets,” said Munns.

“I thought we were better in the second half of that game and definitely a lot better against Southern in the next game.”

Outback Challenge winners Southern beat Northern 18-14 and Central West 24-6.

Munns said Elijah Taylor from Mornington Island was one of his best players, as well as Croydon’s Travis Pickering, who led the forwards.

Utility back Clay George was also stellar, along with Sage Marshall.

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