The Air Force and Navy women's rugby union teams joined forces recently for the 2026 ADF Rugby Union Championships in Brisbane.
The combined 'Two Blues' team competed against Army Women in two games on days one and three of the competition.
Although Army came away with the win in both games, the teams were fiercely competitive, with neither side willing to surrender momentum. Where Army brought physicality and pressure, the Two Blues responded with courage, skill and discipline.
Two Blues co-head coach Flight Lieutenant Daniel Beames said even with limited preparation as a full team, the Two Blues Women shone on the field.
"Their effort demonstrated not only athletic ability, but also the pride and spirit that comes from serving and competing together as one team," Flight Lieutenant Beames said.
Chief Petty Officer Amy Carpenter, Two Blues' other co-head coach, said the focus as a combined team was to create a competitive rugby environment and expand opportunities for women to play and develop.
"The seamless way the two services united was exceptional, and the Two Blues Women showed great pride, connection and commitment to something bigger than themselves," Chief Petty Officer Carpenter said.
'The culture we've developed over the last three years is one of our biggest strengths.'
Co-captain Leading Seaman Teresia Horrocks acknowledged that while the scoreboard did not reflect the team's performance, they still demonstrated teamwork and dedication.
"The game was a fantastic showcase of women's ADF rugby, and the strong bond shared between us," she said.
For the men's teams, Navy versus Air Force proved to be a physical and hard-fought contest, with Navy winning 25-0. The Navy Men delivered a display of grit, discipline and attitude, holding firm under sustained attack to keep the scoreboard in check.
Navy's game against Army ended in a loss of 40-5. However, Navy stepped it up, particularly in the second half, keeping Army to an 8-0 margin.
Head coach Petty Officer Brad Thomas was proud of the character the team displayed throughout the second half.
"The team lifted its intensity and began to apply sustained pressure, demonstrating far greater control and physicality. While the scoreboard didn't fully reflect their effort, limiting Army to an 8-0 second-half margin highlighted the defensive resolve and attacking intent that emerged after the break," Petty Officer Thomas said.
Although Air Force Men went down in their matches against Navy and Army respectfully, it was not without a fight. This put them in good stead for their final game - an invitational match against local club team West Bulldogs, which they won 36-31.
The match also strengthened Air Force Rugby Union's connection with the local rugby community and allowed players to showcase their abilities in a competitive environment.
'Their effort demonstrated not only athletic ability, but also the pride and spirit that comes from serving and competing together as one team.'
Air Force Men's coach Flight Sergeant Zac Studders said the team performed well.
"The culture we've developed over the last three years is one of our biggest strengths, and the new players who came into the squad this year picked up on that very quickly. That culture was on full display in the way the team performed," Flight Sergeant Studders said.
A number of rookies also played their first games for Navy rugby in both the women's and men's teams, highlighting the growth of the club.
Sub-Lieutenant Lachlan Northey said his rookie year was "fantastic".
"I had heard great things about how enjoyable camp is and the bonds that form over the two weeks, and it definitely lived up to the standard set by previous players," he said.
"The training was high quality, the culture well cultivated, with fantastic opportunities on and off the field.
"A career and rugby highlight for me was getting to captain the team in my rookie year. [It] taught me not just a lot about rugby, but how I want to work in my career."
