St.George Queensland Reds side named for top of the table Super W clash with NSW

Wed, Mar 4, 2020, 12:07 AM
Reds Media Unit
by Reds Media Unit

St.George Queensland Reds head coach Moana Virtue has shuffled her team ahead of this Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with the NSW Waratahs Women, which kicks off at 3:00pm at Ballymore.


Five changes have been made to the starting XV that ran out against the Rebels last weekend, while in the reserves, the coaching staff have opted for a six-two split between the forwards and backs.

In the forward pack, Kiri Lingman returns from injury to start in the second-row, where she will partner with Shannon Mato as the backrow is adjusted to make way for Lavinia Gould to start in the seven jersey. Gould has started at inside centre in the past two matches, however trained with the forwards for most of the pre-season.

In the backs, Ayane Hirata returns to the team to start at scumhalf, seeing Cobie-Jane Morgan shift to the reserves, while Far North Queensland product Hagiga Mosby is set for her Queensland and Super W debut at 12.

Mosby, a member of the Queensland Academy of Sport Women’s Sevens program, had to put her Super W aspirations on hold due to Sevens commitments, however with an altered international calendar with cancelled World Series events, she has been released from the national sevens program for the remainder of the Super W season. 

On the bench, Australian Defence Force teammates Bree-Anna Cheatham and Sarah Riordan both return to the side. For Riordan, this will be potentially her first game for Queensland since the 2018 grand final, having missed last season through injury.

Head coach Moana Virtue said: “This week’s match against NSW provides a really good challenge that I’m sure both teams have been looking forward to for some time.

“It’s no secret that the Waratahs Women and the Reds have a close rivalry, having met in the last two finals, and we’re excited to play them on home turf at Ballymore this year.

“We’ve made some changes to the team this week in an effort to get our best players on the park, but also have punch an experience off the bench. I’m interested in seeing how we perform as a team in a high-pressure game.

“We’re fortunate to have a skilful team this year, as displayed in our first two results, however this Saturday will be the test and we need to prepare well for what will be a tough match against the Tahs.

“I’m calling all Queensland Rugby fans to get out and support the ladies this weekend at the home of Queensland Rugby – Ballymore. This will be a great opportunity to see two of the top teams go head-to-head.”

The match between the Reds and Waratahs Women kicks off at 3:00pm this Saturday at Ballymore. Entry to the match will be a gold coin donation, with funds raised going back to the Queensland Women’s Rugby program. The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports. 

 

St.George Queensland Reds side to face NSW Waratahs Women:


1.     Liz Patu – Wests

2.     Averyl Mitchell – Souths

3.     Christina Sekona – Sunnybank

4.     Kiri Lingman (VC) – Easts

5.     Shannon Mato – Easts

6.     Natassja Purontakanen – University of Queensland

7.     Lavinia Gould – Wests

8.     Okeroa Manihera – Sunnybank

9.     Ayane Hirata - Sunnybank

10.  Zahara Temara - Helensvale

11.  Lori Cramer (C) – University of Queensland

12.  Hagiga Mosby* – University of Queensland

13.  Alana Elisaia – Brothers

14.  Ivania Wong – Sunnybank

15.  Courtney Hodder – Sunnybank

Reserves

16.  Ivy Kaleta – Easts

17.  Bree-Anne Cheatham – Wests/ADF

18.  Hilisha Samoa – GPS

19.  Lesa Kaleti Mataafa - Sunnybank

20.  Saxon Campbell – Souths

21.  Gabby Senft – Bond University

22.  Cobie-Jane Morgan – Bond University

23.  Sarah Riordan – Wests/ADF

*denotes Queensland and Super W debut
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