The Queensland Reds have named their side to face the Melbourne Rebels in Saturday's Round 5 Super W clash at Suncorp Stadium, as the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) celebrates its annual Women in Rugby Round.
Following the bye last week, Reds head coach Simon Craig has made two changes to the starting XV from their Round 3 victory over the Brumbies for this weekend's match.
In the forwards, GPS prop Alapeta Ngauamo has recovered from injury to return to the starting side at loosehead prop, seeing Madi Schuck shift to the reserves.
While in the backs, Bond University winger Caity Costello has been recalled to the starting side replacing Melanie Wilks on the right wing who shifts to outside centre with Malaela Su’a set to start Saturday's match as a finisher.
Wallaroos squad member Tiarna Molloy has been named in the reserves, making her return from injury for her first potential match of the year, while Darling Downs product Brianna Dascombe has the opportunity to make her Super W and Queensland debut.
Dascombe, who came through the Queensland Country pathway in 2021, has previously starred for the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Saints and despite missing out on the chance to debut for the Queensland Country Orchids last year through injury, she was named in the Queensland Reds Academy squad based on her form for Southern Queensland at the Country Championships.
“Heading into Saturday’s Double Header we’ve been able to remain relatively stable in terms of selection once again,” said Craig.
“We have a number of players in Alapeta and Caity returning to the starting XV this week, with both having worked hard over the past fortnight in training.
“In the reserves we’re lucky to welcome back Tiarna Molloy after a long lay-off through injury, while Briana Dascombe has earnt her first opportunity to pull on the Queensland jersey.
“These next two weeks are important for us. We can’t take the Rebels lightly, they’ve been improving every week and then we’re off to Sydney to face the Waratahs.
“This weekend is a massive celebration of Women’s Rugby, with both the Vintage Reds and current players being awarded their Queensland Caps. We want to do the jersey proud this weekend and pay homage to those who have come before us and paved the way for Women’s Rugby.
“I would encourage Rugby fans to get to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday afternoon and catch both the Reds Women and Men in action.”
The Queensland Women’s Cap Project was finalised this week ahead of the Double Header, with 238 women across 27 years of Rugby identified as Queensland representatives.
Should Dascombe come off the bench on Saturday afternoon, she will become Cap no. 239.
Vintage Reds players will receive their physical Caps in a presentation at Suncorp Stadium prior to the Super W match on Saturday, with the match day squad to be presented their Caps post match, before taking part in a lap of honour with the Vintage Reds.
Saturday’s Women in Rugby Round will see Suncorp Stadium play host to it’s second double header of 2022, with the Queensland Reds Women set to face the Melbourne Rebels in Round 5 of the Super W competition, kick-off at 4:00pm AEST, while the Reds Men will take on the Brumbies in Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific, kick-off at 6:45pm AEST. Tickets are available via: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=REDS0422
Queensland Reds team to face the Melbourne Rebels:
- Alapeta Ngauamo – GPS
- Tasmin Sheppard – Bond University
- Liz Patu - Wests
- Aleena Greenhalgh - Wests
- Annabelle Codey - Wests
- Kiri Lingman - Sunnybank
- Shannon Parry (c) - Easts
- Sophie Holyman – Bond University
- Sarah Lewis- GPS
- Renae Nona – Sunnybank
- Ivania Wong – Sunnybank
- Cecilia Smith - Easts
- Melanie Wilks – Bond University
- Caity Costello – Bond University
- Ellie Draper - Souths
Reserves 16. Tiarna Molloy - Wests 17. Madi Schuck – Bond University 18. Theresa Soloai - Easts 19. Hana Lane - Wests 20. Okeroa Manihera - Sunnybank 21. Imogen Hei – Bond University 22. Malaela Su’a – Easts 23. Briana Dascombe* - Wests
*Denotes potential Super W and Queensland debut
