Wallaroos flyhalf Carys Dallinger has backed schoolgirl Shalom Sauaso to excel in her starting debut against the Western Force this Saturday.
16-year-old Sauso made an immediate impact in the Reds 32-21 losss to Fijiana last week, breaking five tackles and scoring a brilliant solo try in a 37-minute cameo at Ballymore.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Women's LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now! Speaking to media this week, Dallinger noted the irony of an Ipswich State High School student starting for Queensland in Super Kids Round.
"She always comes in laughing about how kids (at school) are giving her stick about all her Insta followers. We give it back to her as well saying she’s only a kid but then she shows us up at training," Dallinger said.
But Shalom's selection is no laughing matter.
She's already stamped her mark in age-grade rugby, most recently at the Global Youth 7s, and is attracting interest from all rugby codes ahead of her maiden start - this time as winger in a potent back-three trio with Wallaroos Ivania Wong and Lori Cramer.
"She's one of the most insane kids I’ve ever come across. She's exceptionally talented, she can kick, pass, run, she can do it all," Dallinger said.
"She’s an awesome kid, takes things with a grain of salt. If you show her something she picks it up straight away."
In a statement, Reds head coach Grant Anderson said a spot in the side "had to be found" for Sauaso against the Force.
“In the 30 or so minutes that Shalom played against the Drua, she showed a real maturity and made some strong carries with excellent post-contact metres. We’re keen to see her start,” Anderson said.
Bond University flyer Dianne Waight is another winger to watch after being included for a potential debut against the Force while backrower Grace Baker is set for her first Queensland cap.
Dallinger said her side was hungry to right last week's wrongs with a more clinical performance in Perth.
"We held with (Fijiana) for majority of the game and just let it slip at the end there."
"It was just our ball security, we had a lot of turnovers from either being stripped, knocked on or dropped cold, so that’s a really easy fix going into this week’s game."
