Super Rugby Women’s preview: What you need to know before round one

There was a genuine buzz of energy and excitement at the Super Rugby Women’s season launch in Sydney earlier this month. With the Rugby World Cup in England less than six months away, this event at North Sydney Oval felt like another momentous occasion for the women’s game.

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh was among those who presented at the launch, while young girls had the chance to mingle, meet, and even throw the ball around with some of their rugby heroes, with a player from each of the five teams present.

NSW Waratahs’ Piper Duck, ACT Brumbies’ Siokapesi Palu, Queensland Reds’ Ivania Wong, Western Force’s Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, and Fijian Drua’s Bitil Tawake spoke with reporters just over one week out from the opening round.

On Friday, the first match of the season sets the tone for the massive rugby year ahead, with defending champions the Waratahs hosting the Drua in a Grand Final rematch at one of Sydney’s famed sporting Colosseums, Allianz Stadium.

The Drua had won back-to-back titles and had their sights set on a historic three-peat ahead of the big dance at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium last April, but the Waratahs certainly came to play as they dominated the GF by an emphatic 50-14 margin.

But this is a new season.

What happened last time doesn’t count for much.

“Good way to start, a Grand Final rematch from last year so really good fixture for us to get started on,” Waratahs coach Mike Ruthven told reporters at Allianz Stadium on Thursday.

“We really haven’t reflected on last year. New coaching group, new group, we’ve really focused on what this group can achieve this season.

“Certainly haven’t reflected heavily on what we did last year and again, the focus has been about what this group can achieve.

“We’ve had some turnover of our group, some players leave. We’ve certainly had some challenges around a few injuries in pre-season but our five debutants thoroughly deserve their opportunity on Friday night and we’re looking forward to it.”

In the other round one match, the Western Force host the ACT Brumbies at Perth’s HBF Park. The Force have named a star-studded roster that includes captain Trilleen Pomare, Wallaroos skipper Michaela Leonard, and one of the club’s new signings, centre Cecilia Smith.

The Queensland Reds have a bye week in round one but will kick off their campaign with an intimidating clash with the Drua in Fiji next week. Queensland have recruited well in the off-season and will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing campaign last time out.

Nine players from Australia’s sevens side have also committed to Super Rugby clubs, including a group of five who have joined the Reds. Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi, Charlotte Caslick, Isabella Nasser and Khali Henwood have signed with the Brisbane-based club.

Tia Hinds, Bienne Terita and Demi Hayes have committed to the ACT Brumbies, while Sariah Paki is the sole member from the sevens side who will wear the famed sky blue jersey of the Waratahs. It’s understood Paki will play in the midfield.

The Wallaroos won WXV 2 last year after beating Wales, South Africa and Scotland, but jerseys are still very much up for grabs, be that for the sevens women making the switch or others eager to put their hand up for national selection ahead of the World Cup.

“I think last year we proved, we’ll pick on form,” Australia coach Jo Yapp told RugbyPass at the Super Rugby Women’s season launch.

“Obviously we know the players a lot better now and there were players that had some really strong WXV performances but we need players on form in Super W, Super W is really important.

“We’ve been out and about rotating, there’s been one of us in a Super club every week so we’ve been on the ground seeing the girls training so we’ve already identified players from what we’ve seen in training that we want to keep an eye on that we’ve added to our internal depth chart to see how they front up when it comes to the games.”

What the Australian players told RugbyPass

Piper Duck (NSW Waratahs)

Player to watch: “We’ve got a few girls coming this season. We’ve got two girls coming back from ACL injuries so we’ve got Adiana Talakai and Emily Chancellor who I think will be massive to watch this season, especially heading into a World Cup year.

“We’ve got young Ruby Anderson coming through, so she’s a young backrower coming through at the moment, an exceptional athlete. I think the next few years for her, she is going to really make a name for herself both domestically and the international stage.”

MVP prediction: “Either Maya Stewart or Desiree Miller. Everyone knows who they are but the way they play and the way they conduct themselves, obviously, yes through scoring tries but as athletes is extremely incredible. I’d love to see either of them take that out.

“But from a forward pack point of view, I think Emily Chancellor. Coming off the back of her injury… I’m very, very excited to see what she produces this year.”

Ivania Wong (Queensland Reds)

Player to watch: “She already had her first season with us last year and she’s only 17 but Shalom Sauaso. She was a big standout for us last year and we all saw what she could do in just her first season, so to see what she can do now going into her second season with a season under her belt – she’s scary whether she’s defending or running the ball.”

MVP prediction: “Most valuable player, I think I’m gonna go for Eva Karpani. Eva for MVP.”

Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies)

Player to watch: “I’m really excited with the Brumbies, we’ve got Merania [Paraone] in the centres, mainly 12. She’s come over from the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Aupiki comp. She comes with experience, she’s very explosive.”

MVP prediction: “Tabua [Tuinakauvadra] had a really great season last year for the Wallaroos. With that experience and how much game time she got, hopefully,y that will help influence what she’s going to bring to this Super W comp.”

Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (Western Force)

Player to watch: “Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, she just got our fastest speed in our team. She’s come through as a loose forward and now she’s just converted to a winger. That girl, she’s a menace.”

MVP prediction: “[Ashley Marsters and Cecilia Smith] will be in contention but also [Trilleen Pomare], she’s our biggest workhorse. On the field, around the field, off the field, she’s making sure our team’s ready, mentally, physically and emotionally… she’s our biggest MVP.”