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SR Women’s teams: The SVNS Series stars fighting for Wallaroos spots
By Finn Morton
With the Women’s Rugby World Cup about five months away, the next few weeks could very well make or break the same dream that some HSBC SVNS Series stars share. Time is running out to impress national selectors, but a handful of these code-hoppers have been given their chance.
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Five Australian sevens representatives will suit up for their Super Rugby Women’s clubs in the third round of the season, which starts with the ACT Brumbies versus Fijian Drua at Lautoka’s Churchill Park. Then, the Queensland Reds take on rivals, the NSW Waratahs, on Sunday.
Tia Hinds has been named to debut for the Brumbies at fullback, while four others bolster the Reds’ squad for a clash with their bitter foe from south of the border, including three-time Olympian Charlotte Caslick and Australia’s sevens captain Isabella Nasser.
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Sagoplou Sanele, Ella Hooper, Ana-Lise Sio and Hinds are all in line to represent the Brumbies for the first time in Saturday afternoon’s clash in Fiji. Wallaroo Siokapesi Palu will captain the team as the women from the capital chase their first win of the season.
The Brumbies started their season with a 29-all draw away to the Western Force at Perth’s HBF Park before taking a bye week in the second round. As for the Fijian Drua, they’re looking to bounce back after falling to the Reds 22-19 last time out at home.
In the second match of the round, the Reds have named four SVNS Series players in their 23 to take on the Waratahs. Caslick and Nasser will both come off the bench, while Khali Henwood and Teagan Levi have been included in Queensland’s starting side.
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Henwood, who debuted for Australia at the Paris Olympics before playing on the SVNS Series at December’s Dubai Sevens, will start on the left wing while Levi has been named at outside centre in a lethal midfield pairing with Shalom Sauaso.
For both Henwood and Caslick, this will be their first taste of Super Rugby Women’s while Levi and Nasser both got some minutes last time out against the Drua. They will return to sevens after this match without Caslick, who made a major announcement on Wednesday.
Caslick won’t take any further part in the SVNS Series this season with the 2016 Olympic gold medallist instead focusing on 15s. All of these players have committed to Super Rugby Women’s clubs in a bid to play at the Rugby World Cup after all.
The Reds won’t have reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, Maddison Levi, among their ranks as the try-scoring phenomenon continues to fight back from a hand injury. It’s understood that Levi is not out of the running for Wallaroos section, though.
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Queensland are looking to keep their winning start to the season alive with a win over the Tahs, while the New South Welshwomen are hoping for a statement result after an inconstant start to the 2025 season.
The Tahs were beaten by the Drua at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium in the season-opener, and snuck by the Western Force a week later at the very same venue thanks to a last-minute try. But, form aside, both sides won’t be lacking any motivation for this grudge match.
Fijian Drua vs ACT Brumbies on Saturday
Drua starters: Anasimeci Korovata, Loraini Senivutu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Carletta Yee, Rusila Nagasau, Nunia Daunimoala, Bitila Tawake, Setaita Railumu, Salanieta Kinita, Vitalina Naikora, Emma Adivitaloga, Merewairita Neiosa, Repeka Tove, Litivata Vueti. Bench: Keleni Marawa, Salanieta Nabuli, Vika Matarugu (c), Alfreda Fisher, Karalaini Naisewa, Kolora Lomani, Josivini Naihamu, Luisa Tisolo
Brumbies starters: Martha Fua, Katalina Amosa, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Ashley Fernandez, Easter Savelio, Siokapesi Palu (c), Chioma Enyi, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Ella Ryan, Faitala Moleka, Biola Dawa, Merania Paraone, Gabrielle Petersen, Ashlea Bishop, Tia Hinds. Bench: Ella Hopper, Iroha Kishimoto, Hannah Stewart, Ana-lise Sio, Edwina Munns-Cook, Lily Bone, Jay Huriwai, Manua Moleka
Queensland Reds vs NSW Waratahs on Sunday
Reds starters: Bree-Anna Browne, Tiarna Molloy, Eva Karpani, Vineta Teutau, Tiarah Minns, Jemma Bemrose (c), Carola Kreis, Sarah Riordan, Layne Morgan, Carys Dallinger, Kahli Henwood, Shalom Sauaso, Teagan Levi, Caitlin Urwin, Lori Cramer. Bench: Zophronia Setu, Cristo Taufua, Charli Jacoby, Deni Ross, Bella Nasser, Nat Wright, Faythe Manera, Charlotte Caslick
Waratahs starters: Bridie O’Gorman, Adiana Talakai, Faliki Pohiva, Kaitlan Leaney, Annabelle Codey, Leilani Nathan, Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck (c), Tatum Bird, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Katrina Barker, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Waiaria Ellis. Bench: Millie Parker, Emily Robinson, Seneti Kilisimasi, Tahlia Morgan, Ruby Anderson, Tiarne Cavanagh, Nicole Nathan, Amelia Whitaker
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Not a big issue but for info Henwood did play 30 against the Drua.