Reds sign Wallaroo with potential to be world’s ‘best tighthead prop’

World-class prop Eva Karpani will don a Queensland Reds jersey moving forward after committing to the Super Rugby Women’s side for up to two years. Karpani will play for the Reds from 2025 and is expected to represent Australia at the Rugby World Cup later that year.

Karpani will join the Reds as the team’s most experienced player with 31 Test caps for the Wallaroos, as well as multiple Super W titles with the Waratahs. The 28-year-old enjoyed six seasons with the Tahs and she’s set to bring that experience north of the border.

This is a major coup for the Reds with Karpani boasting a devastating running gam which has seen the front rower cross for 10 Test tries, as well as some highlight-worthy plays in Super Rugby Women’s and at club level.

 

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The Wallaroo will also add plenty of skill and power to the Reds’ set-piece. It seems like a win for all involved, with Karpani speaking about the “awesome honour” and the “great opportunity” to play for the Brisbane-based club.

“For me, living here for two years and being with the Waratahs for six, it played on my mind to play for the Reds. It was all about timing and this season is the right time,” Karpani said in a statement this week.

“I’m also excited to play alongside some of the girls from my club at Bond University who are already Reds players or coming through the ranks.

“I’m keen to see what we can do as the Reds in 2025. For me, especially as a senior player, it’s also about paving the way and helping the next generation.”

Karpani has committed to the Reds after an impactful role in the Wallaroos’ run to WXV 2 glory over in South Africa. Australia had struggled for wins under coach Jo Yapp, but the women in gold closed out the year with three victories on the bounce.

The Aussies recorded clinical wins over Wales and tournament hosts South Africa, before then securing the title with another solid performance against a then-undefeated Scotland side. Captain Michaela Leonard hoisted the trophy in triumph as the Wallaroos made history.

“For women’s rugby, the sport is just getting better. It has been super important getting more international games this year,” Karpani reflected.

“More Super Rugby girls have been able to debut for the Wallaroos so the quality of our sport is rising.

“The depth is improving which is also what I saw at the Reds level when I had the chance to connect with some of the up-and-coming girls in Tonga.”

Karpani has already debuted for the Reds after accepting an invitation to play against Tonga during the July tour. But, now that this signing is permanent, Reds fans can look forward to Karpani’s influence on a rebuilding squad.

The Reds finished last on the Super Rugby Women’s ladder earlier this year, with the Queenslanders only recording one win from their five fixtures. That victory was a 17-15 win over the Melbourne Rebels in early April.

“We are getting a player of personal and professional quality who is backing our program to help develop her to go to the 2025 World Cup as the best tighthead prop in the world,” Queensland Reds High Performance Manager, Nico Andrade, added.

“The presence that Eva brings as a high-performance athlete and human will set a really strong foundation for our program.

“Eva is absolutely world-class and that’s with her skills around the set-piece and those point-of-difference skills with her ball-playing and ball-running.”