Experienced international lock Inge Visser will lead the NSW Women's team when they take on Brumbies Women in round three action of Buildcorp Super W at Pittwater Rugby Park on Saturday.
Visser, 34, steps up into the captaincy role after fullback and skipper Ash Hewson was stood down for this match, which will kick-off at 3pm and be followed by the first grade trial between Shute Shield clubs Warringah and Gordon.
NSW coach Rob Baumann decided to give skipper Hewson the weekend off after she picked up a couple of knocks in the first two weeks of Super W.
"Ash picked up a bit of a shoulder knock in our week one game against Queensland and there are a few other things," Baumann said.
"So we decided to get her right at this stage of the season and really rip in and push towards the end of the season.
"There'll be no problems with Inge, she knows her way around the field and has been part of the leadership group all the way through."
Visser has played international rugby for the Netherlands.
NSW Women's team selectors have also opted to start Iliseva Batibasaga at scrumhalf while Crystal Maguire comes back into the side after having a week off following a head knock in the game against Queensland.
Cobie-Jane Morgan, one of the team's better performers against the Western Force in the 32-10 victory, will work off the bench covering a number of positions including flyhalf, centre and No. 9.
Atasi Lafai, who made several good runs against the Force at Allianz Stadium, will wear the No. 15 jersey in Hewson's absence.
Baumann added: "We got a bit bogged down in the middle of the field against the Force so we are hoping that we can really push on and show what we can do in what will be a great environment down there at Rat Park."
The Brumbies team will feature New Zealand Black Ferns lock Charlene Grubb who has moved to Canberra to be with her partner who plays in the NRL with the Canberra Raiders.
TEAMS
NSW Women's team to play Brumbies Women
1. Emily Robinson
2. Tasmin Sheppard
3. Evelyn Horomia
4. Inge Visser (C)
5. Ana-Lise Sio
6. Grace Hamilton
19. Ariana Kaiwai
8. Laura Devereux
9. Iliseva Batibasaga (vc)
10. Chloe Leaupepe
11. Shanice Parker
12. Kennedy Cherrington
13. Crystal Maguire
14. Josephine Falesita
15. Atasi Lafai
Reserves
16. Sarah Laman
17. Melissa Fatu
18. Nancy Vaiaku
20. Natalie Maclarn
7. Fi Jones
21. Alafou Fatu
22. Cobie-Jane Morgan
23. Kirrily Laws
Brumbies Women's team to play NSW
1. Anna Korovata
2. Louise Burrows
3. Peta Cox
4. Kate Brown
5. Charlene Gubb
6. Jess Howard
7. Georgia O’Neill
8. Shellie Milward
9. Jane Garraway
10. Ash Kara
11. Darcy Read
12. Cecilia Smith
13. Paremo Marsh
14. Talei Wilson
15. Michelle Perry
Reserves
16. Emerena Aviga
17. Violeta Tupuola
18. Merrin Starr
19. Michaela Leonard
20. Tayla Stanford
21. Remi Wilton
22. Kiara Meredith-Brown
23. Samantha Wood
The NSW Women take on Brumbies Women at Pittwatter Rugby Park in Sydney. The match will kick-off at 3pm and streamed LIVE on RUGBY.com.au. There will be a full replay broadcast on FOX SPORTS.
