Written by Lachlan Gre, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article
Wallaroos rookie Biola Dawa wasn’t expecting a shout-out from Sunday’s Black Ferns loss – much less from her opposite number.
Yet New Zealand’s Katelyn Vaha’akolo had nothing but praise for Dawa, who in just her second Test found herself marking the reigning World Rugby Breakthrough Player in red-hot form.
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Vaha’akolo finished with four of the Black Ferns’ 10 tries at Ballymore but would’ve had plenty more were it not for the defensive efforts of 23-year-old Dawa.
The Wagga Reddies junior denied Vaha’akolo on the stroke of halftime with a textbook cover tackle, laid a crunching hit on superstar Ruby Tui and made another try-saving strip on full time – later overturned for an earlier penalty try offence.
Dawa finished with 10 tackles, two breakdowns steals and a forced penalty to shine as one of Australia’s few defensive highlights alongside Kaitlan Leaney (18 tackles, none missed).
“I’m not going to lie, that was great defence from that 14 (Dawa),” Vaha’akolo told rugby.com.au post-game.
“She’s awesome, ah! I was so annoyed at her but she did really well, saved that try and almost saved another over there at the end.”
Facing Vaha’akolo and Tui was already a bucket list item for Dawa, who ranks both among her rugby idols.
“I tried not to think about it! I grew up watching them play and reviewing them to try and get tips on how to play my game so that’s amazing that she (Vaha’akolo) thought I did good – I’m speechless,” Dawa told rugby.com.au.
“I think it’s about just working with my centres and fullbacks and building combinations heading into the next games. If we can do that, we’ll mark up well against the number one wingers and fullbacks in the world.”
Dawa’s defensive efforts didn’t go unnoticed by Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp with fellow rookies Nat Wright – who came on the opposite wing to mark Tui – and loosehead Allana Sikimeti also drawing praise.
“I thought Biola did really well. She made some really good reads on the edge and had some difficult decisions to make at times,” Yapp told media post-game.
“Then you had the versatility of Nat and Allana as a young 20-yo prop coming off the bench so there’s loads of positives from that perspective in terms of depth.”
The Wallaroos’ earlier win over Fiji saw Dawa become the first person of Sudanese heritage – male or female – to represent Australia in Test rugby.
Her emergence offers Yapp a third genuine wing option alongside the injured Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller, who was well contained by New Zealand following her four-try haul against Fijiana.
