The determined Queensland Reds will be treating Saturday's clash against the ACT Brumbies like a grand final when the teams meet at Suncorp Stadium.
A 0-2 start has made it imperative that the proud Queenslanders play to their potential to kickstart a surge for the finals in Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s.
“With such a short season, you play each game like a grand final and that’s the mentality we’ll take into Saturday,” Reds head coach Grant Anderson said.
“The girls are really up for it. We went to work really hard on improving some key areas on Monday at training.
“We recognize that the Brumbies will challenge us up front with their good forward pack. I know if we play to our potential we can come away with a win.”
The clubs played a 23-20 thriller in last year’s Super W semi-finals in Sydney where the Reds came out on top.
The Reds have made changes in the pack with lock Aleena Greenhalgh (ankle) and reserve prop Isah Soloai (ankle) both out injured. American prop Charli Jacoby is also missing this week after being called up to play for the USA Eagles against South Africa in England this weekend.
Maletina Brown comes in to start at prop while versatile Lucy Thorpe shifts from the backrow to lock. Haidee Head will start at No.8.
On the bench, Janita Kareta makes a timely return from a calf issue. The experienced former Melbourne Rebels prop is in line to make her debut for the Reds.
On the bench, backrower Grace Baker’s patient wait to make her Reds debut should arrive this week. Redhead Nat Wright will offer back-up at halfback with her addition to the bench.
Reds captain Cecilia Smith said playing as part of a big double-header at Suncorp Stadium would only add to the occasion on Saturday.
Saturday 30 March
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
4:05pm AEST
Watch live via 9GEM and Stan Sport
1. Madi Schuck – Bond University – Alexandra Hills SHS – Redlands
2. Tiarna Molloy – Easts – Warialda State High School – Inverell Highlanders
3. Maletina Brown – Easts – Kingston College – Logan Saints
4. Deni Ross – Wests – Oak Hill College
5. Lucy Thorpe – Bond University – Queen Elizabeth High School - Tynedale
6. Jemma Bemrose – Bond University – Elanora SHS – Palm Beach Alligators
7. Carola Kreis – Easts, Columneetza Secondary School, Canada
8. Haidee Head – Easts, Lourdes Hill College - Easts
9. Sarah Dougherty – GPS – Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay
10. Carys Dallinger – Easts – Manukura School, NZ – Fielding Yellows, NZ
11. Ivania Wong – Sunnybank – Balmoral SHS
12. Cecilia Smith (c) – Sunnybank – Leeton High School
13. Alana Elisaia - Wests - Cleveland SHS
14. Shalom Sauaso – Sunnybank – Ipswich SHS – Marist Ryze
15. Lori Cramer – University of Queensland – Kelvin Grove State College
17. Liz Patu – Wests – Corinda SHS
18. Janita Kareta** - Sunnybank, Dandenong High School
24. April Ngatupuna – Easts – Porirua College, NZ
19. Ashlee Knight – Wests – Superior Senior High School, USA
20. Grace Baker* - Bond University - Miami SHS Helensvale Hogs
21. Caitlin Urwin – University of Queensland – St Patrick’s College – Gympie Hammers
22. Dianne Waight - Bond University - Southport SHS
23. Nat Wright – University of Qld, St Peter’s Lutheran College, Wests
* Potential Reds and Super W debut
** Potential Reds debut
