Young gun Shalom Sauaso only ever dreamt of playing with Charlotte Caslick rather than ever having their potent skills in the same backline for a Queensland Reds semi-final.
The duo will play a significant role on Sunday afternoon at Ballymore Stadium when the Reds take on the dangerous Fijian Drua in their knockout match in Super Rugby Women’s.
Wallaroo Lori Cramer has a high appreciation of the potential impact of both Sauaso and Caslick as she explained to host Declan Byrne on his ABC program, The Saturday Sledge.
"Shalom is like a baby rhino and I only say that in her being 17-years-old because there is nothing else baby about her. She's a beast. It's like she's got Covid and no one wants to touch her," Cramer said.
"Charlotte is unbelievable. Everyone has watched her on TV and she's just brought her own flair (to 15s). Her with ball in hand is scary and she's getting better and better."
LORI CRAMER TALKS WOMEN'S RUGBY ON ABC'S "THE SATURDAY SLEDGE"
Sunday's semi-final is shaping as one of the best spectacles of the competition with both sides backing their attack.
The gritty Reds defence was even more important when an upset 22-19 success was earned when the teams met in Lautoka last month.
Fullback Caslick wasn’t available for that game so the Australian sevens star’s presence for the semi-final is a real addition.
When Sauaso, 17, was playing sevens for Ipswich State High last year, it was the skilful scheming of Caslick at televised tournaments around the world which made that format seem so appealing.
To have this sliding doors moment is rare with Caslick diving into the 15-a-side game this year and Sauaso just as keen to do well before her Brisbane Broncos commitments kick in for NRLW.
“Honestly, I can’t put into words what it is like to play with Charlotte. She is one of the best in the world in her sport,” Sauaso said.
"Having her come and play here in the 15s space, it's something a lot of girls wouldn't have dreamed of and I'm just one of the lucky ones.”
The pair are different shades in the Reds backline. Inside centre Sauaso is all power with her midfield charges but with supreme balance when she sidesteps and offloads in contact.
Caslick steps and veers and manipulates defences as the pro she has been for more than a decade. She spies gaps where others only see defenders.
Her short ball to put flanker Zoe Hanna over for a try against the Western Force last weekend looked simple but only because she executed it so well by committing defenders and teasing with the ball held in both hands.
Sauaso feels much more at ease in rugby this year, despite her breakout moments at just 16 last year as a schoolgirl for the Reds.
“I was learning the game in year one. I’ve finally got to fully understand the game and how it flows. I’m definitely having a better year because I can rely on knowledge I know to play my game,” she said.
Sauaso is generous with praise for her teammates and what halfbacks Layne Morgan and Nat Wright and flyhalves Cramer and Carys Dallinger have done for her.
“Those girls pretty much steer the ship and direct me where to go and stand. They make it 10 times easier,” Sauaso said.
As her teammates are, Sauaso is eager for Sunday's 1:05pm kick-off.
“It’s exciting to play against the Drua. They are physical and powerful," she said.
“I have full faith in my whole team this weekend. The bond us girls have together is like no other I’ve seen in a team.”
Reserved grandstand tickets at just $10 (adults) and $5 (Juniors 6-17 Years) are on sale for the semi-final. General admission at $5 (adults) and free (Juniors) are also available. Gate pricing is $5 extra per ticket.
