TUESDAY TANTRUM with Gerard Walsh

I WATCHED my first women's rugby union for almost two decades at Risdon Oval on Saturday in the Warwick sevens win against UQ Gatton.

Most sports fans saw a bit on television during the Olympics but as for being at the grounds, it was my first since a Darling Downs women's grand final in the 1990s.

It is a long time ago but 15-woman rugby was played at one stage and was on at Gold Park as a forerunner to a Warwick men's grand final.

Anyone who thinks the women aren't full on better head to some sevens finals games.

Warwick was just as serious in the women's as the men's and coach Lauren Quinlan was like a good coach who wanted a word with her players before she talked to the media.

I listened to her talk to the players after a 5-0 victory and she was definite with her thoughts.

She spoke strongly but you wouldn't have worried if a 10-year-old child was listening in.

Her words were probably a model for many coaches.

You don't need to go ballistic, just be definite. They hung on every word.

She wanted improvement and warned about a tough game coming up against Dalby.

It worked, they beat Dalby 5-0 which was a great effort.

I didn't watch the Dalby game but seeing the Dalby players warming up, some of them were almost as tall as star basketballer Lauren Jackson.

Women's sport is on the go at national level as well as locally.

A decade ago, the main women's sport was netball and still is but the success of the women in football, cricket, AFL, rugby and rugby league at national level and women's rugby and AFL at Downs level has been outstanding.

Interestingly, the Warwick area has players involved in all six sports at either national or state level or in tier 2 competitions in Queensland. Hopefully the Rats women will play in the 2017 grand final.