The Western Force and Melbourne Rebels will kick off the seventh season of Super Rugby Women’s in Perth. Meanwhile, the Waratahs welcome the Brumbies to Sydney, and the Reds welcome the Drua to Ballymore for a grand final rematch.
See all the team news below.
Friday
Western Force s Melbourne Rebels 4:30 pm WST
The Western Force will debut 11 players when they take on the Rebels as a part of a doubler header with the men’s game against Moana Pasifika.
Trilleen Pomare will lead the side as captain but will be well supported by the likes of Canadian international Sara Cline, and Kiwis Sheree Hume, Harono Te Iringa and Pia Tapsell. Lucy Dinnen, a former Queensland player and Super W player of the year will also debut off the bench.
For the visitors, Ash Marsters will take over captaincy duties, with Grace Hamilton set to make her debut for the Rebels in the back row.
She’ll be alongside 12 other players running out for the first time in Rebel blue, with Crystal Mayes named in the centres and two-time Lindroth Cup winner and exciting local prospect Teuila Pritchard named on the wing.
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FORCE (1-15): Alapeta Ngauamo, Sara Cline, Natsuki Kashiwagi, Michaela Leonard, Rosie Ebbage, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Anneka Stephens, Tamika Jones, Samantha Wood, Nicole Ledington, Rosie McGehan, Trilleen Pomare (c), Sheree Hume, Haylee Hifo, Aiysha Wigley
RESERVES: Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Hannah Palelei, Harono Te Iringa, Libya Teepa, Pia Tapsell, Lucy Dinnen, Renae Nona, Saelua Leaula
REBELS (1-15): Laiema Bosenvulagi, Jayme Nuku, Anastasia Mamea, Easter Savelio, Tiarah Minns, Melanie Kawa, Sui Pauaraisa, Grace Hamilton, Lucy Brown, Cassie Siataga, Teuila Pritchard, Crystal Mayes, Ashley Marsters, Harmony Vatau, Chanelle Kohika-Skipper
RESERVES: Mary Tuaana, Jiowana Sauto, Paula Ioane, Sydney Niupulusu, Hollie Twidale, Sarah Hogan, Grace Freeman, Tamsin Barber
Trilleen Pomare of the Force passes the ball during the Super W match between Western Force and ACT Brumbies Women at HBF Park, on April 22, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Saturday
NSW Waratahs vs ACT Brumbies, 5:05 pm AEDT
The Waratahs will kick off their campaign with a stacked side, with 14 Wallaroos and four potential debutants set to hit the ground running in 2024.
Skye Churchill and Emily Chancellor will return to the starting side, complimented by Piper Duck as captain at Number Eight. While three potential debutants will come off the bench, Annabelle Codey will start in the second row and will become the first NSW Waratahs Father/Daughter combo to play for the club, with her father David having also represented NSW.
The Brumbies have named four Wallaroos and two Fijian internationals in their starting side, with Jay Huriwai and Faitala Moleka partnering in the halves and Tabua Tuinakauvadra supporting captain Siokapesi Palu, with Tania Naden and Jemima McCalman also providing international experience at hooker and in the centres, respectively.
The squad will feature five Super Rugby Women’s debuts, with Kayla Sauvao set to debut at inside centre.
Caitlyn Halse of the Waratahs passes the ball during the Super W match between Melbourne Rebels Women and NSW Waratahs Women at AAMI Park, on April 21, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
WARATAHS (1-15): Emily Robinson, Brittany Merlo, Bridie O’Gorman, Sera Naiqama, Annabelle Codey, Skye Churchill, Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck (c), Layne Morgan, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Katrina Barker, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse
RESERVES: Siusiuosalafai Volkman, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Hollie Cameron, Leilani Nathan, Tatum Bird, Waiaria Ellis, Jade Sheridan
BRUMBIES (1-15): Sally Fuesaina, Tania Naden, Iris Verebalavu, Kate Holland, Ash Fernandez, Siokapesi Palu (c), Chioma Enyi, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Jay Huriwai, Faitala Moleka, Jemima McCalman, Kayla Sauvao, Harmony Ioane, Biola Dawa, Ashlea Bishop
RESERVES: Katalina Amosa, Allana Sikimeti, Iroha Kisimoto, Jess Grant, Loretta Mailangi, Lydia Kavoa, Kyah Little, Kolora Lomani
Sunday
Queensland Reds v Fijiana Drua, 1:35 pm AEST
The Reds will open with a combination of debutants and experience when they host the Drua at Ballymore to round out the weekend of rugby.
Bond University and two-time premiership Jemma Bemrose will make her debut, in addition to Doreen Narokete, who was part of the Drua side that won the competition in Townsville last year. US Eagle Charli Jacoby will also make her debut
Wallaroos Carys Dallinger, Sarah Dougherty and new captain Cecilia Smith will serve as the leadership group, with Lori Cramer providing plenty of firepower at fullback,
The Drua have named a similar blend of youth and experience, with Karalaini Naisewa set to captain the side and Merewalesi Rokouono slotting in at flyhalf.
Unaisi Lalabalavu and Merewairita Neivosa will make their debuts, starting at hooker and right-wing, respectively, while six potential debutants have been named on the bench.
Dianne Hiini of the Reds tackles Ella Ryan of the wARATAHS. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
REDS (1-15): Madi Schuck, Tiarna Molloy, Charli Jacoby, Deni Ross, Aleena Greenhaigh, Jemma Bemrose, Carola Kreis, Doreen Narokete, Sarah Dougherty, Carys Dallinger, Ivania Wong, Cecilia Smith, Mel Wilks, Caitlin Urwin, Lori Cramer
RESERVES: Liz Patu, Maletina Brown, April Ngatupuna, Ashlee Knight, Haidee Head, Lucy Thorpe, Ava Wereta, Shalom Sauaso
DRUA (1-15): Anasimeci Korobata, Unaisi Lalabalavu, Mereoni Vonosere, Mereoni Nakesa, Jade Coates, Teresia Matea, Sulita Waisega, Karalaini Naisewa (c), Evivi Senikarivi, Merewalesi Rokouno, Miliana Adita, Merewai Cumu, Vani Arei, Merewairita Naivoha, Luisa Tisolo
RESERVES: Loraini Senivutu, Salanieta Nabuli, Tiana Robanakadavu, Aviame Veidreyaki, Merewai Nasilasila, Setaita Railumu, Jeniffer Ravutia, Atelaite Buna