Rugby Australia together with Queensland Rugby, NSW Rugby and ACT Rugby are thrilled to announce a new Women’s XVs Rugby domestic schedule across the East Coast in November.
Ballymore will play host to a Queensland Women’s XVs Select match on Saturday, November 7, with Queensland’s best talent to be split across two teams – Queensland Red and Queensland Grey.
Teams will be selected from the Queensland Premier Rugby Women’s competition, Queensland Suburban Rugby Union as well as some players invited from regional Queensland to take part. Teams will be announced following the culmination of the Premier Rugby competition on Sunday, November 1.
A Queensland Suburban representative side will also play an exhibition match against the Sunshine Coast Stingrays as the curtain raiser to the Queensland Red vs Queensland Grey clash.
The Chikarovski Cup will return to Sydney for its second stint on November 7 and 8 before heading to Bathurst the following weekend on November 14 and 15.
ACT will be welcomed into the mix for the first time with the Canberra Women’s Presidents XVs competing against Sydney Gold, Sydney Blue and NSW Country Women’s.
Up to 30 Buildcorp Wallaroos will be represented amongst all six teams which will be no doubt raise the stakes and deliver some superb Rugby.
With the national coaches watching, all players will be vying for a place at the Buildcorp Wallaroos training camp in Canberra at the end of the year.
Furthermore, a dominate performance during this domestic schedule could pave the way for 10 Test matches in 2021 including the all-important Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand next September.
Rugby Australia General Manager of Women’s Rugby Jilly Collins said: ‘’Whilst we were disappointed the seven planned Test matches for the Buildcorp Wallaroos couldn’t go ahead this year due to COVID-19, it’s fantastic to receive the green light for this action-packed domestic competition.
‘’With less than a year to go until the Rugby World Cup 2021 it’s important that our top players have opportunities to compete in quality competitions.”
Rugby Australia interim Chief Executive Rob Clarke said: ‘’I am delighted that Rugby Australia can support this schedule and look forward to seeing our best players in action.
‘’A huge thank you to our Women’s Rugby partners Buildcorp, Santos, Vodafone, Accenture and Smart Salary for their continued support as we build towards a massive year of Women’s Rugby.”
Reg Tayler, Queensland Rugby Union’s High Performance Manager – Sevens and Elite Women said: “We’re excited that our Women’s Rugby talent in Queensland have an opportunity to play at a higher level in 2020.
“This year has been tough for all, but we have seen the Women’s XV game flourish at club level thanks to the efforts of our coaches, volunteers and players at the Premier Rugby clubs, with all nine clubs fielding women’s teams for the first time.
“This match will provide a great opportunity for us to continue our talent identification ahead of the 2021 Super W season.”
All matches of the Women’s XVs Rugby Domestic Competition will be streamed LIVE via Rugby.com.au
Queensland Women’s XVs Select Match
November 7, 2020; 12:00 (AEST) at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Queensland Red v Queensland Grey
