Former Melbourne Rebels playmaker Chanelle Koihika-Skipper will get her chance to impress the coaching brass at Ballymore after being named in the Reds Development side.
The wiry flyhalf will combine with capped Wallaroo Sarah Dougherty in the halves against a combined New Zealand Universities at Wests Rugby Club on Saturday night.
The game will be Koihika-Skipper’s first taste of action since tearing her LCL for University in the StoreLocal Premier Women’s competition back in July which curtailed the end to her club season and with it, any chance of pulling on the maroon in Tonga.
Reds head coach Andrew Fraser, who shares Red Heavy ties with Koihika-Skipper, will relinquish coaching duties for the fixture, but said Koihika-Skipper will have her opportunity to impress.
“She's an experienced player who's played Super W at the Rebels for a couple of years. She's a really good communicator and has good vision and has played 10 in the club landscape with University,” Fraser said.
“To have stability at the halves is a nice value-add for this group given the range of experience our players have got so I'm excited to have experience at nine and 10.”
As intended, the net has been cast wide for the clash with a matchday squad of 27 named.
Interestingly, just four from the Reds’ 2024 Super Rugby Women’s squad are named - Deni Ross, Lucy Thorpe, Liz Patu and Dougherty.
Zophronia Setu, Zoe Hanna and Tess Littleton – all who played for Queensland against Tonga after impressive club seasons – will all start.
Former Red Renae Nona is another familiar face on the bench having returned from duty with the Western Force last season.
After impressing in the Australian Rugby Shield, Caboolture Snakes prop Olivia Fidow will also get her opportunity.
“I guess the best thing [about the game] is that we're acknowledging all of the talent that is within our local competitions and within Queensland and we're just giving them exposure to the next level to see what their capacities and capabilities are,” Fraser said.
“This is one of the best opportunities this squad will get to present a case to be considered to come into a wider training group for the Super W campaign for next season.”
Saturday, October 12 6:00pm
Wests Rugby Club
1. Skye Faimalie (Sunnybank)
2. Zophronia Setu (University of Queensland)
3. Liz Patu (Wests Bulldogs)
4. Lucy Thorpe (Bond University)
5 Deni Ross (Wests Bulldogs)
6. Dillyn Blackburn (Wests Bulldogs)
7. Zoe Hanna (C) (Bond University)
8. Marea Tupai (Wests Bulldogs)
9. Sarah Dougherty (GPS)
10. Chanelle Koihika-Skipper (University of Queensland)
11. Tess Littleton (University of Queensland)
12. Tyler Birch (Bond University)
13. Michelle Curry (Wests Bulldogs)
14. Jazlyn Leota (Brothers)
15. Kalisi Longopoa (Sunnybank)
16. Olivia Fidow (Caboolture Snakes)
17. Theresa Soloai (Easts Tigers)
18. Tess Evans (University of Queensland)
19. Christo Taufua
20. Grace Sullivan (Wests Bulldogs)
21. Okeroa Manihera
22. Sarah Riordan (ADF)
23. Evie Sampson (Bond University)
24. Zara Colless (Bond University)
25. Luisa Sekona (Sunnybank)
26. Emily Eglen (Norths Eagles)
27. Renae Nona (Sunnybank)
