Teenage debutant Dickson snatches comeback win for Force as Drua sink Brumbies

Teenage debutant Ai Dickson delivered a match-winning try in the 79th minute to hand Western Force a 21-17 comeback victory over Queensland Reds at Wanneroo Rugby Club in Perth on Saturday, denying last year’s Super Rugby Women grand finalists a first win of the season.

The Force trailed 17-7 at halftime and their finals hopes appeared to be fading before Wallaroo Michaela Leonard pulled one back in the 68th minute to set up a grandstand finish. With the clock winding down, coach Dylan Parsons sent 19-year-old Dickson onto the field, and the debutant repaid his faith immediately, crashing over in the left corner to steal the points.

The defeat leaves Queensland in a precarious position. They are yet to register a win and have only two matches remaining — against ladder-leaders NSW Waratahs and the high-flying Fijiana Drua — to salvage their campaign.

In Fiji, the Fijiana Drua overcame the ACT Brumbies 42-25 at Four R Stadium in Ba, but the result was overshadowed by a concerning injury to Wallaroos flyhalf Ella Ryan. The 23-year-old, who made her Australia debut in April, suffered an ankle injury in the second half after an awkward collision with barnstorming flanker Salaseini Railumu during a try-saving tackle attempt. Ryan was left gripping her leg in visible pain before hobbling from the field with medical support.

The scores were locked at 20-all at the break, but Fijiana pulled clear in the second period through tries from Railumu, prop Karalaini Naisewa and winger Repeka Tove, before inside centre Josivini Naihamu intercepted and ran approximately 70 metres to seal a bonus-point win.

Ryan’s potential absence would be a significant blow to the Brumbies, who have just one match remaining to secure a top-four finish having missed the finals last year. The extent of her injury has not yet been confirmed.