‘Better dead than red’: Waratahs look to avoid unwanted Super history

There’s no bigger rivalry in Australian sports than New South Wales versus Queensland.

The passion, intensity and ferocity of these gladiatorial-level contests make any sporting battle between the neighbouring states a must-watch event. That includes this weekend’s Super Rugby Women’s match at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium, which is huge for both teams.

Make no mistake, the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds won’t be lacking any motivation ahead of this crunch derby north on Sunday afternoon. The Tahs have never lost to an Australian rival in the women’s competition, and they don’t want to start now.

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If you put the rivalry to one side, the Tahs’ season has been anything but convincing up until this point. The New South Welshwoman lost to the Fijian Drua in the season-opener before sneaking by the Western Force courtesy of a last-minute try at Allianz Stadium.

With only two more games before the playoffs, losing to the 1-0 Reds is simply not an option for this Tahs side, for so many reasons. As Wallaroo Adiana Talakai discussed, the Tahs are more than ready for a star-studded Reds side that include former Waratah Eva Karpani.

“She’s called the K-Train for a reason,” Talakai told reporters in Sydney. “Obviously, our job is to nullify her impact, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“The rivalry between [New South Wales] and Queensland is massive – better dead than red, as we say.

“We’ve never lost to an Australian team, and we don’t intend to start now.”

Talakai has extra reason to count down the days until this Reds clash. The Tahs hooker returned from a lengthy sideline stint with a knee injury during last weekend’s dramatic win over the Force in Sydney, and the Wallaroo is eager to suit up again in round three.

Britt Merlo started in the No. 2 jersey in round two, alongside props Siusiuosalafai Volkman and Bridie O’Gorman. Talakai came off the pine, with Emily Robinson and Faliki Pohiva also providing impact as front-row cover.

After a gruelling rehab process, that return was a career milestone for Talakai.

“Nothing compares to game fitness,” Talakai explained. “I’d been running straight lines, curved lines – everything in training – but once you’re back on the field, it’s a different challenge.

“Last week was tough on the lungs, but I’m grateful to be out there again with the girls.

“It was a tough process, and I was lucky to go through it with my teammate [Emily Chancellor].

“We had a great rehab group alongside some of the men’s players like Jackson Ropata and Mesu [Kunavula]. They were there with us every step of the way.

“The biggest challenge was keeping my love for the game alive when I wasn’t able to be on the field, but I found my purpose, I found my drive, and now I’m ready to give everything for this team.”

The Waratahs will take on the Queensland Reds in a Super Rugby Women’s clash at 3:05 pm AEDT on Sunday afternoon. Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium will host the fixture – the same venue where the Wallaroos faced the Black Ferns in a Laurie O’Reilly Test last year.