The penultimate week of Super Rugby Women’s regular season approaches, with the Waratahs firmly back on top after a commanding display at Ballymore last week.
While the women in sky blue enjoy their bye this weekend, the Brumbies will play in a student death clash with the Queensland Reds at Viking Park – lose, and they will be consigned to the bottom of the ladder. Win, and they’ll be hoping for favourable outcomes next week to lock down their finals spot.
Meanwhile, the Western Force will play their final match at home, as they look to fire up a finals spot when they host the second-placed Fijian Drua as part of a doubleheader with the corresponding men’s fixture.
See all the team news as it’s revealed below.
(All times are in AEDT)
Saturday
ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds, 1:35 pm
It’s a thriller at the spiritual home of ACT Rugby, Viking Park!
Brumbies coach Andy Friend has made four changes to the side that lost on the bell last week to the Drua in Lautoka, with Wallaroos Sally Fuesaina and Tania Naden adding some significant experience to the side.
Friend will also hand Lily Bone and Manua Moleka, sister of Wallaroo Faitalia Moleka, their Super Rugby Women’s debuts, with both being named in the starting side.
With an imposing bench, Friend will be hoping the experienced heads can finish the job off in the final quarter of the game – providing the starting side can keep in touch with an imposing Reds team.
The big news for the visitors sees Charlotte Caslick pick up her first start of the year, being named at fullback. Ivania Wong will also return to the starting side, while Teagan Levi, Kahli Henwood and Bella Nasser drop out of the squad to return to Sevens.
The big surprise is that with Caslick at fullback, Lori Cramer is set to start at flyhalf, moving Carys Dallinger to the bench. Should the experiment work, it will prove a massive boon to Australian blossoming halves stocks, and will be one Jo Yapp will look at with interest.
BRUMBIES (1-15): Sally Fuesaina, Katalina Amosa, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Ashley Fernandez, Lily Bone, Siokapesi Palu (c), Chioma Enyi, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Ella Ryan, Faitala Moleka, Biola Dawa, Merania Paraone, Manua Moleka, Gabrielle Petersen, Ashlea Bishop
Reserves: Tania Naden, Martha Fua, Iroha Kishimoto, Easter Savelio, Edwina Munns-Cook, Piper Rankmore, Jay Huriwai, Kyah Little
REDS (1-15): Bree-Anna Browne, Tiarna Molloy, Eva Karpani, Tiarah Minns, Deni Ross, Jemma Bemrose (co-c), Carola Kreis, Zoe Hanna, Layne Morgan, Lori Cramer, Ivania Wong (co-c), Shalom Sauaso, Faythe Manera, Caitlin Urwin, Charlotte Caslick
Reserves: Zophronia Setu, Cristo Taufua, Charli Jacoby, Veneta Teutau, Maraea Tupai, Nat Wright, Carys Dallinger, Piper Flynn
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Sunday
Western Force v Fijiana Drua, 7:50 pm
Hot off their 41-29 victory over Penina Pasifika, the Force will be happy to see a cavalry of players come in for this critical clash, with Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard headlining the four changes to the side.
Australia A hooker Loretta Mailangi also returns to the side, while winger Teki Joyce is back after recovering from concussion.
Michaela Leonard returns for the Force. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Japanese international Mio Yamanaka completes the changes, coming into the starting side for the first time at scrum-half.
However, the Drua look well prepared for this clash, with five changes made for the visitors.
Kolora Lomani slots back into the side at flyhalf, and will be joined in the backline by Josivini Naihamu, while Salaniete Nabuli and Keleni Marawa return to the pack along with captain Vika Matarugu.
FORCE (1-15): Allana Sikimeti, Loretta Mailangi, Braxton Walker, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Tamika Jones, Pia Tapsell, Ashley Marsters, Mio Yamanaka, Grace Freeman, Brooklyn Teki Joyce, Trilleen Pomare (c), Cecilia Smith, Adi Vani Buleki, Sheree Hume
Replacements: Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Megumi Takagi, Alapeta Ngauamo, Rosie Ebbage, Nami Dickson, Ana Afuie, Nicole Ledington, Samantha Treherne
DRUA (1-15): Salaniete Nabuli, Keleni Marawa, Vika Matarugu (c), Merevesi Ofakimalino, Asinate Serevi, Nunia Daunimoala, Salaseini Railumu, Karalaini Naisewa, Evivi Senikarivi, Kolora Lomani, Merewairita Neivosa, Josivini Naihamu, Vitalina Naikore, Repeka Tove, Luisa Tisolo
Replacements: Loraini Senivutu, Anasimeci Korovata, Tiana Robanakadavu, Alfreda Fisher, Bitila Tawake, Setaita Railumu, Ema Adivitalonga, Alowesi Nakoci
Development Game (Saturday)
NSW Waratahs v Penina Pasifika, 4 pm
Team tbc
