Queensland-based Wallaroo Eva Karpani has linked with the Reds women’s program for the landmark visit to Tonga this week.
Having the 26-Test prop on board for Friday’s clash against the Tongan national team is a huge boost for the Reds’ set piece and experience.
The match against the Ikale Tahi in Nuku’alofa will have special significance for Karpani, who is of Tonga heritage.
While she played for the NSW Waratahs during their title run in Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s this year, Karpani was a Reds player in 2023 and plays for the Bond University club on the Gold Coast.
She has played several times for the club this season and will feel at home with eight members of Premier Rugby’s champion women’s team on Wednesday’s flight.
The 25-player squad bound for Tonga, under interim head coach Andrew Fraser, includes 10 new faces when compared to the 2024 Super Rugby Women’s squad.
Also making the trip are lock Tiarah Minns, who played this season with the Melbourne Rebels and former Western Force centre Ariana Hira.
Form in the Queensland Premier Rugby women’s competition has been recognised with Brothers backrower Maggie McConnachie, University of Queensland hooker Roni Setu, GPS prop Alapeta Ngauamo, in the Wallaroos squad recently, UQ outside back Tess Littleton and Easts outside back Leilani Hills included.
With Sarah Dougherty unavailable and Ana Afuie injured, Brothers halfback Wynonah Conway has won a call-up to back up new Wallaroos halfback Nat Wright.
There is wonderful recognition for young backrower Bliss Wilkins, who impressed at the recent Queensland Country Championships and plays for Brothers Sunshine Coast.
Her selection via the country rugby pathway is an upbeat endorsement that the selectors are looking throughout Queensland for the best talent.
“It’s exciting to bring fresh talent into the program. Playing a game against a national side at this time of year is really valuable to give the Reds a headstart on preparations for the 2025 season,” said Nico Andrade, the Queensland Reds Women’s High Performance Manager.
“It’s a chance to connect players to the fabric of the Reds because we also have two former Reds in Shannon Parry and Shirley Russell involved this week.
“A number of the Tongan girls play in Australia and New Zealand so we know the quality of the opposition.”
Australia’s PacificAus Sports program supports the Tonga tour.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby union. Funding is split evenly between women and men.
Added Tongan halfback Ana Ngahe: “From watching professional women’s rugby on TV to witnessing them in real life, it will be a life-changing moment for our Tongan local girls.
“There will be so much excitement from our players and fans. I have no doubt that there will be an even higher level of support for women's rugby in Tonga after this game.
“It’s something I am very grateful for”.
Queensland Reds Women’s Tour Squad:
Grace Baker (Bond Uni)
Wynonah Conway (Brothers)
Lori Cramer (UQ)
Carys Dallinger (Easts)
Ariana Hira (Bond Uni)
Zoe Hannah (Bond Uni)
Leilani Hills (Easts)
Charli Jacoby (Bond Uni)
Eva Karpani (Bond Uni)
Tess Littleton (UQ)
Maggie McConnachie (Brothers)
Tiarna Molloy (Easts)
April Ngatupuna (Easts)
Alapeta Ngauamo (Wests)
Tiarah Minns (Manly, Sydney)
Madi Schuck (Bond Uni)
Zephronia Setu (UQ)
Lucy Thorpe (Bond Uni)
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Sunnybank)
Caitlin Urwin (UQ)
Ivania Wong (Sunnybank)
Bliss Wilkins (Brothers Sunshine Coast)
Mel Wilks (Bond Uni)
