Queensland Reds head coach Simon Craig has named an unchanged starting XV for his side’s Round 2 Buildcorp Super W clash with the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium this Friday, 31 March.
The match will form part of a double-header, which will also see the Reds face the Crusaders in Round 6 of the Super Rugby Pacific, with the Super W clash kicking off at 4:05pm AEST before the Super Rugby Pacific clash at 6:35pm.
The Reds women return home after a commanding 43-nil win over the Melbourne Rebels in Round 1 of the competition, which saw the team cross for seven tries.
In the reserves this week, Craig has welcomed three players who have joined the Reds program from the recently completed Super Rugby Aupiki competition in New Zealand.
Scrumhalf Diane Hiini, who was part of the victorious Matatu squad who defeated Chiefs Manawa in the final last weekend has been named on the bench.
Hiini is joined in the reserves by prop Cristo Tofa, and flyhalf Carys Dallinger, who were both part of the Hurricanes Poua squad throughout the 2023 season.
“This weekend our squad will have another tough challenge on their hands against a Western Force outfit that has a new head coach at the helm and a new playing roster,” said Craig.
“We can’t take any team in this competition lightly and this weekend will be no different, we need to continue to build on our form from Round 1.
“While we were happy with the win over the Rebels, the team and coaching staff all agreed in our review that we still have plenty we can improve and we’ve gone back to work this week at training.
“We’re fortunate this week to welcome three players from New Zealand, who we’ve been working with behind the scenes for a number of months, who will add some great depth to our squad.
“It was important to reward the players who performed for us last weekend in Melbourne and as such the starting XV remains unchanged and our new additions will have to earn their place in the team through opportunities as our finishers.
“This Friday is the first of two double headers we have at Suncorp Stadium, with a Brumbies double-header on Good Friday to follow next week, the team and staff want to encourage Reds fans to come out and show their support for both the women’s and men’s teams this weekend as we come together as one club at our home ground.”
The Reds clash with the Western Force kicks off at 4:05pm AEST on Friday, 31 march, tickets for the match are available via Reds.Rugby. The match will also be broadcast LIVE via Stan Sport.
Queensland Reds team to face Western Force:
- Bree-Anna Cheatham – Wests, St Augustine’s College
- Tiarna Molloy – Easts, Warialda State High School, NSW
- Theresa Soloai – Easts, Holland Park State High School
- Deni Ross – Wests, Oak Hill College
- Annabelle Codey – Easts, Somerville House
- Carola Kreis – Bond University, Columneetza Secondary, Canada
- Shannon Parry (c) – Easts, Moreton Bay College
- Haidee Head – Easts, Loudes Hill College
- Sarah Lewis – GPS, Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay
- Renae Nona – Sunnybank, Cavendish Road State High School
- Ivania Wong – Sunnybank, Balmoral State High School
- Cecilia Smith – Sunnybank, Leeton State High School, NSW
- Briana Dascombe – Wests, Fairholme College, Toowoomba
- Sam Curtis – College Rifles, Waimea College, NZ
- Ellie Draper – Souths, Carmel College
Reserves 16. Madi Schuck – Easts, Alexandra Hills State High School 17. Cristo Tofa* - Ponsonby Rugby Club, Henderson International School 18. Alapeta Nqauamo – GPS, St James’ College 19. Tina Campbell – GPS, St Hilda’s School 20. Hana Lane – Wests, West Island School, Hong Kong 21. Diane Hiini*- University of Canterbury Rugby Club, Ellesmere College 22. Carys Dallinger* - Matakesi Rugby Club, Manukura School 23. Alana Elisaia – Wests, Cleveland State High School
*Denotes potential Queensland and Super W debut
