The return of Fijian strike forward Doreen Narokete and a potential debut for Isabelle Robinson highlight the Queensland Reds team for Friday’s Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s clash in Sydney.
Narokete will return in the backrow from the bench against the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium after missing three games with an ankle injury.
Hooker Robinson will make a cherished Reds debut should her chance come off the bench.
Reds head coach Grant Anderson is backing the fight and spirit that produced a gritty 17-15 over the Melbourne Rebels in Melbourne last Friday night.
He has made positional changes in the backline with 16-year-old centre Shalom Sauaso unavailable for the game in Sydney after her two-try effort against the Rebels.
Captain Cecilia Smith returns to inside centre with young Bond University speedster Dianne Waight coming in on the wing.
“We always understood we would need to be flexible about Shalom’s playing commitments,” said Sam Cordingley, the Queensland Rugby Union’s General Manager, Professional Rugby.
“She has a desire to play a rugby league tournament with her age group peers this weekend.
“We hope her four games with the Reds have given her a real appreciation of the opportunities over the longer term that exist in rugby union.”
Anderson said Sauaso had made a big impression in the squad.
“She has been awesome around the group. Everyone has taken her in and she carried the toy koala to each game as our youngest player,” Anderson said.
“She has a great warmth for the girls in the squad as well and for all she has learned.”
Anderson said Narokete’s inclusion adds an extra dimension to the side.
“Doreen brings extra size and physicality to the pack with her strong carries and high-impact tackling,” Anderson said.
“We had centre Mel Wilks return from injury last game and she’ll be much better for that run.”
Playing against the Waratahs is always a feature day on the Super Rugby Women’s calendar.
“The girls are speaking of ‘Waratahs Week’. It always means a lot as our biggest rivalry,” Anderson said.
“I was really pleased with the way the girls held on to win away in Melbourne. The first 30 minutes produced some of our best rugby of the year and we had to defend very strongly to get the result in the end. We made 211 tackles all up with players like Lucy Thorpe making 20 of her 22 tackle attempts.
“We have the defence to pressure and disrupt the Waratahs game. Our set piece has to do the same.”
Friday 10 April Allianz Stadium, Sydney
5:05pm AEST
Watch live on Stan Sport
1. Madi Schuck – Bond University – Alexandra Hills SHS – Redlands
2. Tiarna Molloy – Easts – Warialda State High School – Inverell Highlanders
3. Charli Jacoby – Bond University – Bartlett High School, USA
4. Ashlee Knight – Wests – Superior Senior High School, USA
5. Lucy Thorpe – Bond University – Queen Elizabeth High School - Tynedale
6. Grace Baker – Bond University – Miami SHS – Helensvale Hogs
7. Carola Kreis – Easts – Columneetza Secondary School, Canada
8. Jemma Bemrose – Bond University – Elanora SHS – Palm Beach Alligators
9. Nat Wright – University of Queensland – St Peter’s Lutheran College – Wests
10. Carys Dallinger – Easts – Manukura School, NZ – Fielding Yellows, NZ
11.Ivania Wong – Sunnybank – Balmoral SHS
12. Cecilia Smith (Captain) – Sunnybank – Leeton High School
13. Mel Wilks – Bond University – Beerwah SHS
14. Dianne Waight – Bond University – Southport SHS
15. Lori Cramer – University of Queensland – Kelvin Grove State College
16. Isabelle Robinson* – Sunnybank – All Hallows School – Sunnybank
17. Liz Patu – Wests – Corinda SHS
18. Janita Kareta – Sunnybank – Dandenong High School
19. Doreen Narokete – Brothers – Wesley College, Fiji
21. Sarah Dougherty – GPS – Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay
22. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala – Sunnybank – Ipswich SHS – Marist Ryze
23. Alana Elisaia – Wests – Cleveland State High School
24. April Ngatupuna – Easts – Porirua College, NZ
*denotes uncapped Queensland Reds player
