Two stunning breakaway tries by powerhouse centre Jaime Chapman and a kicking masterclass from Kirra Dibb have lifted the Indigenous women to a 26-4 thrashing of the Maori All-Stars in Townsville.
Twice slicing through the Maori line and running half the field to score, Chapman’s contributions helped the Indigenous side cash in on their dominance on Friday night.
But Indigenous No.7 Dibb picked up the Trish Hina Medal for best afield, taking control of the territory battle via her kicking game while icing the match with a delicate grubber that allowed winger Kimberley Hunt to score her second try.
Errors ruined any momentum the Maori side was able to find, as they completed just 46 per cent of their sets in the first half in falling into a 16-0 hole.
Chapman quickly snuffed any thoughts of a comeback, charging 60 metres to put her side 22-0 clear early in the second half.
Reigning Dally M medallist Tamika Upton got the show on the road early, her clever grubber finding Indigenous teammate Shaylee Bent for the game’s first points.
Dibb finished with 253m kicking, with a stunning 40-20 in the first half helping her side take over early.
“We were geeing her up a bit before the game, (saying) 'Kick it to the moon',” Indigenous co-captain Tallisha Harden said.
“Her putting up those bombs she's renowned for, she just executed today, she took control of the game when she needed to take a lot of pressure off everyone else.
“I could hear (the Maori captains) and all the girls go up to her after the game and really congratulate her on a good performance and that's what I love about our two teams, there is just so much respect for each other.”
Winger Jasmin Strange finally got the Maoris on the board 10 minutes from time after a sharp pass from Ash Quinlan.
Rain produced greasy conditions at Queensland Country Bank Stadium but it didn’t excuse the Maoris' poor ball security, as butchered a sequence of chances on the opposition line in seeking a way back into the game.
They finished with a shocking completion rate of 48 per cent.
“It's fair to say it wasn't what we planned for,” coach Keith Hanley said.
“We really didn't hold or secure the ball well enough and we missed some tackles I thought wouldn't be missed. When those things happen it's a pretty simple game.”
It continued the win-loss pattern in the annual fixture between the sides, who've alternated victories in the six years the format has been running.
