Layne Morgan's eleventh-hour shift to the Reds has added extra spice to the NSW-Queensland rivalry ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Women's season.
With 29 Test caps to her name, Morgan has been a Waratahs mainstay since transitioning from the sevens pathway and serving her XVs apprenticeship under Iliseva Batibasaga.
Watch every game of the 2025 Super Rugby Women's competition live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Now, the three-time title winner (2020, 2021, 2024) will join Eva Karpani at Ballymore after relocating from Newcastle to the Gold Coast earlier this month.
Morgan, 25, shared the news via social media last week, however her destination wasn't confirmed until today's Reds squad announcement.
“I’m really excited and see this move to the Reds as a great challenge to take on,” Morgan said in a statement.
“There were some nerves around leaving something I know but few things ever come from easy decisions.
"This will be really good for my growth as a player and I’ve already seen, in two sessions, how hard the Reds girls are working and a really good team environment.”
Morgan faces stiff competition for the Reds halfback role with fellow Wallaroos Nat Wright and Sarah Dougherty already on the books but the former Waratah will nevertheless have March 16 circled on the calendar.
The Reds-Waratahs clash at Ballymore could also see Queensland quintet Maddi Levi, Teagan Levi, Charlotte Caslick, Bella Nasser and Kahli Henwood in action while sevens star Sariah Paki also could make her Waratahs debut.
Including their sevens contingent, the Reds have named 12 new faces in a stacked 2025 squad featuring 13 capped Wallaroos and teenager sensations Shalom Sauaso and Sky-Yvette Faimalie.
QUEENSLAND REDS WOMEN - 2025 SQUAD Ariana Hira, Bella Nasser, Bree-Anna Browne, Briana Dascombe, Caitlin Urwin, Carola Kreis, Carys Dallinger, Charli Jacoby, Charlotte Caslick, Cristo Taufua, Deni Ross, Dillyn Blackburn, Eva Karpani, Faythe Manera, Ivania Wong, Jemma Bemrose, Jiowana Sauto, Kahli Henwood, Layne Morgan, Lori Cramer, Maddison Levi, Maraea Tupai, Melanie Wilks, Michelle Curry, Natalie Wright, Piper Flynn, Renae Nona, Sarah Riordan, Sarah Dougherty, Shalom Sauaso, Sky-Yvette Faimalie, Teagan Levi, Tiarah Minns, Tiarna Molloy, Vineta Teutau, Zoe Hanna, Zophronia Setu
