It's do-or-die for the women of Bond Pirates in their semi final showdown with Sunnybank.
After sneaking into the post season of the South East Queensland Cup, the Pirates now have a golden opportunity to advance to the prelims after drawing a Sunnybank outfit that they dismantled 42-28 earlier this year.
This week, we caught up with their coach Matt Moynihan to see how his team was tracking ahead of their knockout semi final.
Matt Moynihan (MM): It was a great win especially after a week off, and a tough game against Uni the previous week.
It was a good physical game with all the challenging elements, so to come away with the win and some momentum coming into the finals is a huge bonus for us.
We are fortunate that everyone has pulled up fit and excited for finals. It’s not often as coaches we get the availability of the whole team, so we are happy that nearly everyone is available this weekend.
Unfortunately Isla Bottmely who was devastating in both of our Sunnybank clashes is still unavailable due to an ankle injury from the warm up prior to the Uni game.
As for our work-ons, we have a young team all very new to rugby 15’s. Our focus will be building on the basics and focus on consistency as a team. We are developing well as a team and as coaches we are very impressed with the progress of the team throughout this season.
I think it goes without saying defence and minimising mistakes wins finals. The team may have heard this a few times this week.
MM: It’s funny you asked this question as I have been asking some of the girls this question this week and haven’t found anyone that has played finals football in 15’s!
We have a lot of players that until this year have never played 15’s and no one that has played finals.
As for what’s changing at training, a bit more focus on set pieces, general play. We are fortunate to be a part of the Bond University Women’s program with Lawrance Faifua and have upped the opposed sessions.
It has been good to see the team build during these sessions and learn from some of the best in Women’s rugby. The team a getting a healthy dose of reality and what it takes to play at the top level as well as where they need to improve to compete in the finals series.
What they are lacking in big game experience they are making up for it with heart and teamwork. As coaches we are super proud of them!
MM: Biggest improvements for the 2025 season have been better engagement and connection as individuals and as a team. We have been able to take this and through a basic structure work the team through the different elements of how to create opportunity and take full advantage of it.
MM: The team love playing Sunnybank, they are a big and very capable football side.
They are well drilled in the forwards and very agile, complementing their forwards is a pretty quality backline. They were the first team we played last year being the first year of a revived Pirates Senior Women’s 1st grade team.
On both occasions last year, they put on a solid score against us (45+ both times).
This year with a full team and reserves the first game we were competitive and the 2nd game we came away with a great win, which was awesome for the team and our ongoing success.
We were fortunate to be playing at home and having all our players available to us. It was a team victory with the forwards managing to create a stable platform for the backs to build on.
However, women’s rugby isn’t stable and each week and game is different to the last. Player availability and combinations vary for all teams each week, we are expecting Sunnybank to present us with a strong and well drilled team better than we have encountered all year.
I am confident that the Pirates will turn up and play their best football and if that gives us the win well I may attempt my first back flip!
MM: Geez the tough question and only because it’s a squad effort of about 35 that has got us through the season, rep responsibilities, injuries and life meant that we needed that many to field a team each week.
If I were to name a few members that have been instrumental for us I would start with our two captains.
Issabella Seymour - as a player she has great presence on the paddock and as a leader she is stable and able to bring out the best in the team and keep them focused.
One of the big standouts this year has been Hebe Backus (Vice Captain). With a disrupted season last year, Hebe has come back into a new role as 5/8 and has delivered each week. Her interpretation on what is transpiring and taking the right options is impressive.
What we are also grateful for is Hebe’s work rate and dominance in defence - she is a massive contributor to the success of the team.
Keep an eye out also for Eden Milton. She has been the backbone of the team both on and of the field.
As fullback she is safe in defence and an asset in attack. Eden is returning this week after a few weeks away and while she will ease her way back into the game this week I know the team will turn up with a little more confidence knowing she will be there to steer the ship.
MM: The final words will probably be delivered by Issy - "don’t forget to run out with a football!"
We are trying to keep things the same and not get to drawn into the emotions of finals football and enjoy and learn from the experience. We will talk a bit about our own personal roles staying connected and patient. Plus, there will be a big emphasis on ensuring our defence is sound.
The Pirates face Sunnybank this Saturday at 9:30 am (away).
