Round Two of the Super Rugby Women’s continues this weekend, with the Brumbies and Rebels out to grab their first win of the season before two massive blockbusters on Saturday shake up the table.
See all the team news below.
Friday
ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels, 5:05 pm AEDT
Despite being blown off the park against a rampaging Tahs, the Brumbies have rewarded their finishers for their strong performance and moved the likes of Allana Sikimeti, Katalina Amosa and Kolora Lomani into the starting side.
Several players will drop back to the bench and eager to impress, however keep an eye out for Erika Maslen from the Tuggeranong Vikings, who is set to make her debut in Brumby colours.
The Rebels have named a mostly unchanged starting side, with Jiowana Sauto coming into the starting front row and Chanelle Kohika-Skipper and Crystal Mayes swapping roles at wing and fullback.
Samantha Treherne will make her debut for the Stockade on the other wing, with two more potential debutants Laetitia Bobo and Millie Scutt coming off the bench.
Siokapesi Palu during the round one Super Rugby Women’s match between NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
BRUMBIES (1-15): Allana Sikimeti, Tania Naden, Iroha Kisimoto, Kate Holland, Ash Fernandez, Siokapesi Palu (c), Katalina Amosa, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Jay Huriwai, Faitala Moleka, Jemima McCalman, Kayla Sauvao, Harmony Ioane, Kolora Lomani, Ashlea Bishop
RESERVES: Erika Maslen, Sally Fuesaina, Iris Verebalavu, Loretta Mailangi, Lydia Kavoa, Chioma Enyi, Kyah Little, Biola Dawa
REBELS (1-15): Anastasia Mamea, Jayme Nuku, Jiowana Sauto, Easter Savelio, Tiarah Minns, Melanie Kawa, Sui Pauaraisa, Grace Hamilton, Lucy Brown, Cassie Siataga, Chanelle Kohika-Skipper, Ashley Marsters, Harmony Vatau, Samantha Treherne, Crystal Mayes
RESERVES: Mary Tuaana, Laiema Bosenavulagi, Paula Ioane, Laetitia Bobo, Millie Scutt, Grace Freeman, Teuila Pritchard
Saturday
Fijian Drua v NSW Waratahs, 3:35 pm FJT
Saturday is looming as a blockbuster weekend for the competition and could loom as a critical weekend in the context of the whole year for both Australian and Fijian players.
The Drua will play their first match at Lautoka, and are likely to set crowd records given how passionate fans have shown up to support the team. Vika Matarugu will start at hooker role for the first time since moving from the Rebels, while Adita Milinia and Merewairiti Neivosa will look to back up a fantastic performance on the wings.
It will be a settled Drua squad, but they will be up against a Waratahs side who made history last week, becoming the first Super Rugby Women’s side to score 1000 points. The big loss for the girls in sky blue is Wallaroo Emily Chancellor, with Leilani Nathan will be coming into the starting side as coverage.
The worst news has since been confirmed by Chancellor this morning, revealing that she has torn her ACL and will be out for the season – a significant blow for both the Waratahs and the Wallaroos, as one of the most experienced players and a likely inclusion in any Jo Yapp side.
Despite the loss, the Tahs will call upon plenty of other Wallaroo experience at their disposal, and will also be bolstered by the return of Atasi Lafai and Kaitlan Leaney, with Piper Duck retaining the captaincy duties.
DRUA (1-15): Anasimeci Korobata, Vika Matarugu, Mereoni Vonosere, Mereoni Nakesa, Jade Coates, Teresia Tinanivalu, Sulita Waisega, Karalaini Naisewa (c), Evivi Senikarivi, Merewalesi Rokouno, Adita Milinia, Merewai Cumu, Vani Arei, Merewairita Naivoha, Luisa Tisolo
RESERVES: Keleni Marawa, Loraini Senivutu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Aviame Veidreyaki, Nunia Daunimoala, Setaita Railumu, Jeniffer Ravutia, Atelaite Ralivanaw
WARATAHS (1-15): Emily Robinson, Brittany Merlo, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Atasi Lafai, Leilani Nathan, Skye Churchill, Piper Duck (c), Layne Morgan, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Katrina Barker, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse
RESERVES: Siusiuosalafai Volkman, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Hollie Cameron, Tatum Bird, Waiaria Ellis, Jade Sheridan
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Western Force vs Queensland Reds, 2:05 pm AWST
Closing the roundout is arguably one of the biggest games of the year for both the Reds and the Force. With a flurry of signings and exciting young talent, it has been called by pundits that the Force will be the big improvers this year.
That muscle will be brought out on full display, with the Force making minimal changes to their squad to the Rebels, with Samoan utility Saelua Leaula coming into the starting side. However, the bench will see Japanese Prop Hinata Komaki, Manusina Samoa international lock Alanis Toia and Tongan utility Siutiti Ma’ake make their debuts for the club, ensuring the West will be finishing strong.
The big news out of the Reds is the promotion of Shalom Sauaso to the starting side, following a barnstorming opening weekend against the Drua, with Grace Baker set to earn her debut cap in the loose forwards.
Aside from Dianne Waight coming onto the bench for a potential debut as well, the Reds squad remains a settled unit, and this clash might give the game in Fiji a run for its money as the match of the round.
Carys Dallinger kicks during the round one match between Queensland Reds and Fijian Drua. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
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, Saelua Leaula, Aiysha Wigley
RESERVES: Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Hinata Komaki, Harono Te Iringa, Pia Tapsell, Alanis Toia, Lucy Dinnen, Renae Nona, Siutiti Ma’ake
REDS (1-15): Madi Schuck, Tiarna Molloy, Charli Jacoby, Deni Ross, Aleena Greenhaigh, Lucy Thorpe, Grace Baker, Jemma Bemrose, Sarah Dougherty, Carys Dallinger, Ivania Wong, Cecilia Smith, Alana Elisaia, Lori Cramer
RESERVES: Liz Patu, Maletina Brown, Theresa Soloai, Ashlee Knight, April Ngatupuna, Ava Wereta, Caitlin Urwin, Dianne Waight
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
It is but a couple injuries. Chancellor out for a year, Annabelle Codey out for regular season with finger injury, Adiana Talakai is out with possibly an ACL.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
what a stacked team.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I've said it on a lot of other Super Rugby Womens articles, but I don't like the double headers or the games at this time of year. No one is going to watch them live when they clash with Super Rugby Pacific games. They deserve their own stand-alone games, not curtain raisers that clash with other games. There is zero rugby on Sunday this week! Imagine if they made Sunday Super Rugby Womens very own day. Or better yet move the season to after Super Rugby Pacific where we are crying out for more games other than the Wallabies 2 games every 3 weeks.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Chancelor is a huge loss. The Tahs really missed her last year
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Whilst Sauaso was good in attack when she came on, she did struggle in defence. Where as Urwin has been the Reds best defender. And in attack she looks threatening just hasn't been given the ball in space yet. I would have kept Sauaso to come on from the bench. Elisaia will make a huge difference in the Reds attack. Hopefully the Reds have a much better game.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
TBH the inclusion of the Aupiki, will make a massive difference to this Super Rugby women's tournament!!
Dualcode
Roar Rookie
Never really took interest in women's rugby until the Drua came in two years ago, basically the one team I follow while patiently waiting for future combine with Aupiki for a proper trans-tasman women's comp.
Nick Wasiliev
Editor
Cheers mate, thanks.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
For info, Atasi Lafai is starting for Waratahs instead of Annabella Codey, the Tahs team list on RA website was incorrect. It has been corrected now.