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• Hubert Busby aims to build on positives after Reggae Girlz two-match triumph over South Africa

  Jamaica’s Head coach, Hubert Busby, took heart from a successful two-match friendly series against South Africa, as he intends to use the victories as a foundation to sharpen his Reggae Girlz ahead of critical future competitions.

  The Reggae Girlz, who dominated the first match with a 3-0 win last Friday, followed up with a hard-fought 3-2 victory in the second match on Monday at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall.

  Goals from Vyan Sampson (58th), Drew Spence (63rd), and substitute Kayla McKenna (76th) overturned Linda Motlhalo’s 19th-minute opener and rendered Amogeland Motau’s added-time strike inconsequential.

  For Busby, the series wasn’t just about securing wins but about testing the squad in challenging scenarios.

  This, as he pointed out that the quick turnaround between matches posed a physical challenge for both teams, but in the same breath, stressed the importance of resilience and adaptability, particularly after a lackluster first half in the second game.

  

  “Yeah, I mean, look, the quick turnaround for both teams was always going to be a little bit tedious. You could see that a little bit in the first half—us trying to find our legs a bit. Credit to the medical and high-performance staff for getting the players ready,” Busby said post-match.

  “These games are why we play them. We're going to be put in stressful situations; I wouldn't like it to be as stressful in the 90th minute, but that's football, you know, and credit to the team for how they responded and were worthy winners in the end,” he added.

  Busby credited late adjustments for the team’s second-half resurgence after a lukewarm first half. They struggled to find rhythm and squandered a few half chances against a more confident-looking South African outfit that moved the ball well on this occasion.

  “We recognized how they were building their play, so we spoke about it at halftime and showed the players what we wanted to do in terms of pressing higher. They responded really well, and those adjustments and then the impetus of players to carry out those instructions is really why we were able to turn around the game in the second half,” he explained.

  Despite the team’s offensive prowess, Busby admitted disappointment at failing to maintain a clean sheet.

  “Keeping a clean sheet is about the whole team and shows a good defensive performance. Overall, I still think we played well, but football is about moments. We have to manage those moments better because quality opposition at this level will punish you if we don’t. So it’s another chance for us to learn, grow, and take it into the next window,” he said.

  

  The tactician also addressed the absence of veteran Tiffany Cameron, explaining that the decision allowed younger players to gain valuable experience as they aim to balance development and performance.

  “Everybody here is ready. This camp was about evaluating players and seeing how they handle stressful situations. Tiffany is a veteran, so we know what she brings. But it’s also about embedding younger players into the group because it is us building a programme so that we can go to this 2027 World Cup and consecutive World Cups thereafter,” he stated.

  With the February international window next in their line of sight, Busby is already planning for tougher tests to further prepare the team for the World Cup qualifiers.

  “Plans are already in place to get an opposition. We’ve had conversations with different federations, and we’ll confirm that in the next four to five weeks. Another quality opposition that is going to test us in a stressful environment will make us better for World Cup qualifiers,” he ended.

  Meanwhile, 19-year-old goalkeeper Liya Brooks, who earned her first two caps during the series, welcomed the opportunity.

  “For me, it was kind of like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I knew the team had my back, and that made it easier. I'll say that I feel like my communication with my team is quite solid, and I feel like that's probably the most important thing.

  “Moving forward, it’s about getting comfortable and learning my teammates individually. Also to make sure that I'm locked in and focused for every ball played back, and just making sure that I take time to breathe and live in the moment and also ensure that I'm confident in what I'm doing,” Brooks shared.

• Australia victory a 'relief but enjoyable', says Ireland captain Doris

  Caelan Doris said Ireland's victory over Australia in their final Autumn Nations Series campaign came with "relief, but also enjoyment" at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. 

  Ireland earned a hard-fought 22-19 win to earn their third victory on the spin after starting their campaign with a first home defeat in more than three years to New Zealand. 

  In what was Joe Schmidt's first match in Dublin since leaving the Ireland job in 2019, his Wallabies side threatened to spoil the Irish Rugby Football Union's 150th anniversary celebrations.

  Australia had led for much of the contest and held a 13-5 advantage at the interval thanks to Max Jorgensen's try and some superb kicking from Noah Lolesio.

  But Gus McCarthy's try clinched an Irish win, with Josh van der Flier and Doris also scoring tries for the hosts. 

  "There's relief, but there's also enjoyment there too. It's a quality side, they are Joe Schmidt-coached, and we knew it was going to be top class," Doris said. 

  "Their attack was right up there, and it was a test for our defence. It was back and forth throughout, and we're delighted with the outcome.

  "It felt like we dominated possession and territory, but there was quite a lot of inaccuracy in their 22 and half. We turned it around and it was better in the second half."

  The encounter also saw Cian Healy become the most-capped player when he came off the bench to win his 134th cap and surpass former captain Brian O'Driscoll.

  For Schmidt, it was an unhappy return to Irish soil, though he can be happy with his side's display. 

  While he was disappointed to lose in Ireland, his Wallabies side again proved themselves a dangerous outfit, though he said he knew Saturday's hosts had a performance like that in them. 

  "I already knew that this group of young men had it in them. It was just for them to find it and galvanise each other," Schmidt said.

  "I felt at times in that first half we didn't quite capitalise on some of the line breaks that we made. Max Jorgensen's try was really well worked.

  "In the second half my one disappointment around the game is I felt we got quite conservative.

  "When you do that against Ireland and you are hanging on, you've a four-point lead and you're hoping that's enough, but we tried to do that from too far out.

  "I don't know what the territory or possession stats were but we were having to work very hard."

• Long overdue: Busby, Shaw celebrate winning homecoming as Girlz outclass Banyana Banyana

  Reggae Girlz Head coach Hubert Busby and captain Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw spoke glowingly about the team’s emphatic display in their opening friendly international against South Africa as they highlighted the 3-0 win as a special homecoming for the core World Cup group, who last played in Jamaica over a year ago.

  Shaw led the charge with a brace, and Siobhan Wilson scored a stunning opener in the performance that offered a blend of triumph and promise at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Friday.

  With the win marking their first victory since the Fifa Women’s World Cup group stages last year, an elated Busby called it “long overdue” as he also praised the crowd’s support. The second game is scheduled for Monday at the same venue.

  “First, it was a great result, long overdue; and secondly, we’re just absolutely thrilled to have the people and the fans supporting us. We’re blessed to have one of the best strikers [Shaw] in the world playing in a Jamaica jersey, and it is great to have her back,” Busby said at a post-game press conference.

  The match saw Jamaica dominate the proceedings, as Shaw struck in the 55th and 83rd minutes after Wilson’s opener in the 43rd. Despite the commanding scoreline, Busby emphasized that the focus was on executing a complete team performance.

  

  Reggae Girlz Head coach Hubert Busby (left) in discussion with assistant Deon Burton.

  “We’re here to win football matches, but really it’s about the performance. We talked about completing a 90-minute performance, and I was really pleased. I think for us, the connector was making sure that we're keeping the ball moving and supplying the balls to our forward, but also making sure that we're dictating the tempo,” Busby shared.

  “We haven't done a good enough job at keeping clean sheets recently, and that has been a foundation for our success last year, so that’s also a really positive aspect to take from this game,” he noted.

  The coach also heaped praise on 19-year-old goalkeeper Liya Brooks, who made her debut and impressed with a composed display.

  “She looked like a veteran, flawless, as if she'd played 20 games. It speaks to the depth of the programme we’re building. So, I am really happy for her and the team as a whole because we really defended well and kept the shape,” Busby shared.

  With the Reggae Girlz looking ahead to the qualification cycle for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, Busby stressed the importance of building depth and nurturing young talent as his team still has room for growth.

  

  “Look, everyone who's eligible to play for Jamaica is under consideration. I think it's not just about bringing players in; it's about improving the ones we have as well, creating a culture of excellence, and ensuring that it's a competitive environment. So we’re always looking for players who can add value to the group,” said Busby.

  “So it is about making additions to improve it if need be. We had about six teenagers in the group coming in to this game as well, so really pleased to have those players and see how they kind of matriculate to the system as well,” he added.

  For Shaw, the match was not just a victory but a personal milestone. After a difficult recovery from injury, she returned in style, showcasing the poise and sharpness that have made her one of the world’s premier forwards.

  “Yeah, long 14 months away, but it’s good to get back in the rhythm, reconnect with the coaching staff and players, and I am just happy to get the result,” she said.

  “It’s always good to put the jersey back on; the past months were difficult with my injury, but I worked on myself mentally and physically to ensure I was fully fit to return. Back home, in front of my people and family, it’s an amazing feeling,” Shaw declared.

  

  The Manchester City striker’s determination to keep improving was evident, even as she celebrated her brace.

  “I missed a chance just before I scored the second goal. Even though I’m scoring, I think I can go even higher with what I’m capable of so I always look for ways to improve,” she said as she pointed out that environment plays a crucial role in her success.

  “The environment makes or breaks you. The support around me, both at the club and national levels, helps me flourish. I just have to keep improving and growing, on and off the field,” Shaw ended.