The Queensland Reds side that will face the Melbourne Rebels in Round 1 of the Buildcorp Super W at AAMI Park in Melbourne this Saturday, 25 March, has been named.
The squad features a total of eight capped Wallaroos, including captain Shannon Parry, as well as three debutants in the starting XV and a further two potential debutants on the bench.
The frontrow will see Wallaroos duo Bree-Anna Cheatham and Tiarna Molloy joined by Easts Tigers Theresa Soloai, while in the second row, Annabelle Codey returns alongside Deni Ross, who will be making her Queensland and Super W debut.
In the backrow, Canadian Carola Kreis will pack down at blindside flanker, Parry will start at openside flanker and young Easts product Haidee Head will transition from the Reds 7s program to the XV-a-side game to make her Super W and Queensland debut.
In the backs, GPS’ Sarah Lewis and Sunnybank’s Renae Nona will reform their halves pairing from the 2022 season, Wallaroos star Cecilia Smith will start at inside centre, while Toowoomba’s Briana Dascombe will shift from the wing into outside centre.
In the back three, Wallaroos World Cup standout Ivania Wong returns for another season in maroon, she will be joined by Ellie Draper at fullback and New Zealander Sam Curtis will start on the opposite wing, also making her Queensland and Super W debut.
In the reserves, the experienced trio of Tazmin Sheppard, Madi Schuck and Alapeta Ngauamo will provide cover for the frontrow, while Tina Campbell will cover lock, Hana Lane and potential debutant Joana Rabaka will provide cover for the backrow.
Alana Elisaia returns to the team after missing the 2022 season to provide cover in the backs, while Gympie’s Caitlin Urwin will also be in line for her potential Queensland and Super W debut.
Head coach Simon Craig said: “After what has been a long pre-season, we’re really looking forward to finally hitting the pitch this weekend in Melbourne.
“We’ve put together a strong squad with a solid mix of experience and youth and have been able to reward players for their form in club Rugby and during our trials and training.
“Outside of our trial against the Waratahs in Narrabri, we’ve played trial games against a Darling Downs Barbarians side as well as Bond University, and Easts’ women helped us out this week with an opposed run at training, The Grassroots Rugby community in Queensland has really gotten behind us and helped us prepare for the season so we want to represent them proudly this weekend with a quality performance.
“Melbourne have a new coaching staff and new look squad so we can’t take them lightly this weekend, it’s a new year and they will be hungry to change their fortunes and get some wins on the board, we need to be ready for the unknown on Saturday.”
The Reds match against the Rebels will form part of a double-header that will also see the Reds and Rebels face each other in the Super Rugby Pacific competition also. The Super W fixture kicks off at 4:05pm AEST at AAMI Park, and will be broadcast live via Stan Sport.
- Bree-Anna Cheatham – Wests, St Augustine’s College
- Tiarna Molloy – Easts, Warialda State High School, NSW
- Theresa Soloai – Easts, Holland Park State High School
- Deni Ross* – Wests, Oak Hill College
- Annabelle Codey – Easts, Somerville House
- Carola Kreis – Bond University, Columneetza Secondary, Canada
- Shannon Parry (c) – Easts, Moreton Bay College
- Haidee Head* – Easts, Loudes Hill College
- Sarah Lewis – GPS, Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay
- Renae Nona – Sunnybank, Cavendish Road State High School
- Ivania Wong – Sunnybank, Balmoral State High School
- Cecilia Smith – Sunnybank, Leeton State High School, NSW
- Briana Dascombe – Wests, Fairholme College, Toowoomba
- Sam Curtis* – College Rifles, Waimea College, NZ
- Ellie Draper – Souths, Carmel College
- Tazmin Sheppard – Bond University, Budehaven Community School, Cornwall UK
- Madi Schuck – Easts, Alexandra Hills State High School
- Alapeta Nqauamo – GPS, St James’ College
- Tina Campbell – GPS, St Hilda’s School
- Hana Lane – Wests, West Island School, Hong Kong
- Joana Rabaka** – Sunnybank, Nadi College, Fiji
- Alana Elisaia – Wests, Cleveland State High School
- Caitlin Urwin** – University of Queensland, St Patrick’s College, Gympie
*Denotes Queensland and Super W debut **Denotes potential Queensland and Super W debut
