Rival fullbacks beware - Wallaroos veteran Lori Cramer is back in maroon and ready to tackle 2024 head on.
Fresh from another stint with UK Premiership Women’s Rugby powerhouse Exeter, Cramer has traded her Chiefs and Waratahs jerseys for the familiar fields of Ballymore.
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Buoyed by the positivity around women's rugby currently sweeping the Northern Hemisphere, Cramer is raring to channel that energy into her return to Australia's top competition.
“I always love going over to the UK – I feel like rugby over there is leading the charge," Cramer told media on Tuesday.
"They’re selling out Twickenham for the English women over there, we’re getting 3000 locals to our Exeter games at Sandy Park. The hype around rugby in general around England, especially women’s rugby is unreal so to get to over there and be a part of it is awesome.
“They’re a different breed of rugby players over there but in Australia we have unreal athletes and once we figure out how to make it all click which I’m sure Jo Yapp will be able to do, we’ll be a force.”
Cramer will line up at fullback for the Reds’ opening Super Rugby Women’s clash with reigning premiers Fijiana Drua at Ballymore after an assured trial showing against Melbourne last week.
She’s expecting a bruising contest against the side that break Queensland hearts 38-30 in last year’s decider.
“I think playing against any kinds of Pasifka side is a challenge in of itself,” Cramer said.
“Playing against Fiji is always incredibly physical. Those girls take it to another level with their skills and playing ad lib rugby.
"There’s never a question they’re incredible rugby players but now they’ve had time to improve their strength and conditioning, it’s a bloody nightmare trying to defend some of those girls.
Queensland will field a Fijiana champion of their own with off-season recruit Doreen Narokete packing down alongside fellow club debutant Jemma Bemrose in the backrow.
USA Eagle Charli Jacoby will also make her starting Super Rugby Women’s debut at tighthead prop with legendary Wallaroo Liz Patu named for her return to top-flight competition footy from the bench just eight months after the birth of her child.
“We’ve got a lot of fresh faces in the side this year. You play to win and we’re ultimate competitors, everyone wants to win,” Cramer said.
“Those young girls bring a lot of enthusiasm and flair to the side that we might not have had before. They’re really athletic, really physical and I think they’ll go well.”
