QLD pumped to play at Ballymore

Thu, Mar 22, 2018, 7:44 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
There was plenty of action and excitement in round two of the Super W. Here's a look three of the best tries from the weekend.

Queensland Women's coach Michael Hayes has made a pair of minor changes to his starting XV, as they prepare for their first game at the spiritual home of Queensland rugby.

Sarah Riordan will start at inside centre as Hayes manages the workload of Nareta Masters, while Wynona Baice will get her first start of the year at tighthead prop.

They're changes were more about keeping the squad fresh than anything else, according to Hayes, who forecast another up tempo match against Melbourne on Sunday.

"They're more strategic in relation to giving the players some rest," Hayes said.

"Because we have a really good squad and they train really well together and against each other, what we are trying to do is just slot some players in here to get them some more game time.Michael Hayes has brought Sarah Riordan back into his starting XV. Photo: QRU Media/Brendan Hertel"Each game to us is now a grand final so we just want to get them more game time and get their match fitness up to scratch."

Ballymore will host Queensland's clash with Melbourne and Hayes said the importance of the ground will not be lost on his side, as they strive to string a second consecutive win together.

"I played my first game in U18s when I captained NSW in 1981 and to me, coming up to Ballymore, I knew it as the home of Australian rugby, at that stage," Hayes said.

"It was such a thrill.

"I still think this is the home of Australian rugby, to be honest, and I won't let that be lost on the girls.Samantha Treherne and QLD will play their first game at Ballymore on Sunday. Photo: QRU Media/Brendan Hertel"They love Ballymore, we train here, it's our home and it's the sacred home of Queensland rugby."

Queensland's star fullback Samantha Treherne expressed similar feelings prior to her first match on the hallowed turf.

"First time at Ballymore, which is pretty exciting," she said.

"I've always played at Suncorp but for some reason I'm more nervous about playing at Ballymore than Suncorp.

"This is where we train, this is where we put all our hard yards in - it's a good feeling to be at Ballymore and it's going to be pretty special.

TEAM

Queensland Women's team to face Melbourne

1. Toa Filimoehala - Brothers

2. Cheyenne Campbell - Redlands

3. Wynona Baice - Wests

4. Kiri Lingman - Sunnybank

5. Kirby Sefo (C) - Sunnybank

6. Ivy Kaleta - Sunnybank

7. Lucy Lockhart – Wests/ Australian Defence Force

8. Alexandra Hargreaves - Helensvale

9. Asako Ono – University of Queensland

10. Lavinia Gould - Sunnybank

11. Ivania Wong – Sunnybank

12. Sarah Riordan – Wests/Australian Defence Force

13. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea –Sunnybank

14. Lori Cramer – University of Queensland

15. Sammie Treherne – Sunnybank

Reserves

16. Bre-Anna Cheatham – Wests/Australian Defence Force

17. Vuanimasei Rasolea - GPS

18. Jasmine Kemp - Helensvale

19. Shannon Mato – Sunnybank

20. Ashlee Knight – Helensvale

21. Ana Afuie – Sunnybank

22. Nareta Marsters – Sunnybank

23. Alana Elisaia – Redlands

Queensland host Melbourne at Ballymore on Sunday, kicking off at 2:30pm AEDT, 1:30pm local, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS. A full replay will be available on RUGBY.com.au.

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