The Queensland Reds side that will face NSW Waratahs in the Buildcorp Super W semi-final this Thursday night in Sydney has been confirmed.
Head coach Simon Craig has made three changes to his starting XV from the side that travelled to Sydney this past weekend.
In the forwards, Aleena Greenhalgh has been ruled out of the match seeing GPS lock Tina Campbell set to make her starting debut for Queensland. In the backs, scrumhalf Sarah Lewis has also been ruled out, seeing 16-year-old Imogen Hei called into the starting side for her run-on debut as well.
Wallaroo veteran Sarah Riordan has been recalled to the match day squad for the first time this year, she will start on the wing seeing Caity Costello shift to the reserves.
The only further change to the reserves bench is the recall of Bond University’s Grace Qaranivalu, who will provide backrow as well as additional frontrow cover.
“Last week’s game was a tough one but we’ve addressed the issues we identified and moved on as a team,” said Craig.
“This week our main focus needs to be on attitude and belief. When we play our best Rugby we can compete with the best, but we have to put ourselves in a position to deliver our best and that includes our prep and approach to the game.
“We’ve lost a few players heading into the match but I’m confident the women coming in will rise to the occasion. We’re also lucky to welcome back Sarah, she has a wealth of experience and will be a good voice in our backline.
“We’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain going down to Sydney this week. We’re ready for the challenge that lies ahead.”
The Super W Semi-Final kicks off at 6:00pm AEST at Eric Tweedale Oval in Sydney on Thursday evening, with the winner of the match to face Fijiana Drua in the Super W Grand Final in Melbourne as part of Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round.
Queensland Reds team to face NSW Waratahs:
- Alapeta Ngauamo – GPS
- Tasmin Sheppard – Bond University
- Liz Patu - Wests
- Tina Campbell* - GPS
- Annabelle Codey - Wests
- Hana Lane - Wests
- Shannon Parry (c) - Easts
- Sophie Holyman – Bond University
- Imogen Hei* - Bond University
- Renae Nona – Sunnybank
- Ivania Wong – Sunnybank
- Cecilia Smith - Easts
- Melanie Wilks – Bond University
- Sarah Riordan - Wests
- Ellie Draper - Souths
Reserves 16. Tiarna Molloy - Wests 17. Madi Schuck – Bond University 18. Theresa Soloai - Easts 19. Grace Qaranivalu – Bond University 20. Okeroa Manihera - Sunnybank 21. Skyla Adams - Bond Univesrity 22. Malaela Su’a – Easts 23. Caity Costello – Bond University
*Denotes starting Queensland and Super W debut
