The return of Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani has strengthened the Queensland Reds for their opening match on Saturday in SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s.
The powerful forward will start against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka after being forced to miss the Reds’ trial matches with a thigh niggle.
Karpani’s presence and the first appearance of three Australian Sevens players on the Reds bench will add to the appeal of an already exciting match-up.
Australian Sevens captain Bella Nasser, Teagan Levi and Kahli Henwood have embraced a switch from sevens to the 15-a-side game for an initial block of two games.
The Reds’ eagerness to play the game has been highlighted by rapid arrangements to reschedule flights to a Wednesday departure, rather than Friday, with Cyclone Alfred heading towards the Queensland coast.
The Reds will be steered in the halves by the experienced Layne Morgan and Carys Dallinger.
Teenage powerhouse Shalom Sauaso will start at inside centre with versatile Faythe Manera at outside centre.
Manera made the switch from sevens during the off-season and her versatility has already been tapped with time at fullback, flyhalf and outside centre in the build-up to the season.
Jemma Bemrose and experienced Wallaroo Ivania Wong will co-captain the side.
“It’s been fantastic to have four trials. We have picked a fit and deserving squad for this first match. The hard calls to leave out some players put shows both the quality of depth and competition for places that has been created over the past four months,” Reds head coach Andrew Fraser said.
Experienced former Wallaroo Sarah Riordan has been picked at No.8.
“We’ll be leaning on Sarah’s physicality in a pretty hostile environment,” Fraser said.
“She’s shown in the trials she can straighten the attack and has a sneaky offload. There’s also the robust defensive part of her game.
“Eva is a world-class player. She has been a big contributor already around our group and she’s really keen to get her season started on the field.
“Faythe has shown her versatility in the trials and has talents that suit this game.” Fraser said meeting one of the competition favourites first up was a challenge his team was relishing.
“The Fijians have some size in the pack for sure and we know how they like to attack. We’ve got to weather that and show our own skilful areas of the game. We’re keen for the challenge in every way,” Fraser said.
Fraser said he was grateful to the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia for the quick action to reschedule flights.
“We are grateful for the assistance. All the girls said ‘yes’ to going and we appreciate that comes with leaving family and work early,” Fraser said.
SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s
Saturday, 11:05am (AEST)
Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji
Live on Stan Sport
1 Bree-Anna Browne
2 Tiarna Molloy
3 Eva Karpani
4 Deni Ross
5 Tiarah Minns
6 Jemma Bemrose (cc)
7 Carola Kreis
8 Sarah Riordan
9 Layne Morgan
10 Carys Dallinger
11 Ivania Wong (cc)
12 Shalom Sauaso
13 Faythe Manera
14 Caitlin Urwin
15 Lori Cramer
Reserves: 16 Cristo Taufua, 17 Sky-Yvette Faimalie, 18 Jiowana Sauto, 19 Vineta Teutau, 20, Bella Nasser, 21 Nat Wright, 22 Kahli Henwood, 23 Teagan Levi
