Samoa one day, Narrabri the next. Reese Orcher is discovering just how far sevens can take her with this week’s Santos Festival of Rugby.
Last weekend, she was immersed in Samoan culture when a member of Australia’s First Nations team, “The Lloydies”, who won the Teuila International Sevens.
She’s heading to Narrabri in country NSW this weekend as the new captain of the Queensland Reds Sevens team for four games against NSW on Saturday and Sunday.
The variety of rugby on offer plus the convivial atmosphere will keep the Santos Festival of Rugby humming along at Dangar Park.
The Reds’ men, Under-19s and women also have matches against the Waratahs on a full menu which also includes a Classic Wallabies match against the Narrabri Blue Boars Over-35s and an interstate U18s match for the Queensland Country girls.
Orcher has made strong progress and being picked to lead at just 17 means something when the appointment has come from coach Shannon Parry, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist.
“Reese is definitely a leader. She’s mature with a real level head and that will be important for a young squad in Narrabri,” Parry said.
“We’ll use her as a ball-carrier and creator in that first receiver role.”
Parry is hoping to build off last weekend’s trophy-success in the Next Gen 7s finals at Ballymore Stadium.
Although only Charli Nikola, Maddi Pomerenke and Tahli Devine will back up in Narrabri, the winning day radiated something bigger.
Many of this weekend’s younger girls played in the Reds Academy match that day and watched from the grandstand when Aussie Sevens stars Faith Nathan, Amahli Hala and Teagan Levi were excelling for Queensland.
“It was massive to have our girls play with or watch from close range the good habits of the best players,” Parry said.
“To see that with your own eyes was really special because there were some really good decisions made on the field and some superb play.”
The team for Narrabri includes young Keebra Park State High student Matilda Vial, a pacy, free-flowing finisher with a track background.
Matilda Richards (Townsville) and Amy Lorenz (Roma) also have country backgrounds.
Headgeared TJ Murray was a standout in the centres for Bond University at 15-a-side in their run to the StoreLocal Founders Cup.
Peyton Lefau-Fakeosilea has the right DNA as the younger sister of Australian Sevens star Alysia.
“Having these games in Narrabri is a real plus to keep developing our sevens program,” Parry said.
QUEENSLAND REDS 7s
Abbi Spooner | Easts 7s
Aimee Henry | Emerging Reds / Canterbury College
Amy Lorenz | GPS 7s
Billie Backus | Emerging Reds / King’s Christian College
Charli Nikola | Easts 7s
Madison Pomerenke | Brothers 7s / Wynnum SHS
Matilda Richards | GPS 7s / Mt St Michael's College
Matilda Vial | Emerging Reds / Keebra SHS
Peyton Lefau-Fakaosilea | Emerging Reds / Marsden SHS
Reese Orcher | Indigenous 7s / Clayfield College
Tahli Devine | Bond 7s
Te Rina-Jade Murray | Emerging Reds / King’s Christian College
