The Queensland Reds have confirmed their Academy squad in preparation for the 2023 Super W season.
There are ten Wallaroos within the 41-player squad, headlined by skipper Shannon Parry after guiding the team to the quarter-finals.
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They are joined by inspirational Fijian Vua Rasolea, with the tight-head prop powering them to a maiden Rugby World Cup victory over South Africa with a player-of-the-match performance.
“I believe we’ve put together a really strong Academy squad leading into the 2023 season,” said coach Simon Craig in a statement.
“We have a strong contingent of the 2022 cohort returning, whilst we’ve also identified new talent from the Queensland Premier Rugby competition and Country pathways.
“We’ve also worked closely alongside the Queensland Academy of Sport Women’s Sevens program and we will see a few players transition across to XVs which will be exciting.
“From this group we will select our final Reds squad for the Super W campaign.
“With the Women’s Rugby World Cup Grand Final on this weekend, we’ve seen over the last month the excitement that continues to build around the women’s game and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve with this group next year as we look forward to 2023 and beyond.”
The Reds have also included Nambour Toads backrower Megan Prinsloo and Roma Echidnas fullback Meg Jakins as the club begins pre-season training at Ballymore.
The pair impressed during a City v Country tri-series held at the end of the Queensland Premier Rugby season, with Craig excited to see what they can bring to the squad.
"Both Megan Prinsloo and Meg Jakins from the Orchids really stood out for Country in all three of their games and it’s great to be able to bring those girls from genuine regional clubs into the fold," Craig added. “We’ve also worked closely alongside the Queensland Academy of Sport Women’s Sevens program and we will see a few players transition across to XVs which will be exciting."
2023 Queensland Reds Super W Academy Squad FORWARDS
Alapeta Ngauamo* - GPS
Aleena Greenhalgh* - Wests/Bundaberg
Annabelle Codey** - Easts
Hana Lane* - Wests
Liz Patu** - Wests
Madison Schuck** - Bond University
Shannon Parry** - Easts
Tazmin Sheppard* – Bond University/Gold Coast
Theresa Soloai* - Easts
Tiarna Molloy** - Wests
Tina Campbell* - GPS
Bree-Anna Cheatham** - Wests
Carola Kreis* – Bond University
Ema Masi* - University of Queensland
Melehifo Allana Sikimeti - Wests
Christina Sekona** - Sunnybank
Haidee Head - Easts
Megan Prinsloo – Nambour Toads/Sunshine Coast
Veiongo Koloamatangi-Lamipeti – Souths
Nina Poletti - Brothers
Joana Rabaka - Sunnybank
Ta Tupou – University of Queensland
Vua Rasolea* - GPS
Miki Trbojevic
BACKS
Briana Dascombe* - Wests/Darling Downs
Cecilia Smith** - Sunnybank
Ellie Draper* - Souths
Imogen Hei* - Bond University/Gold Coast
Ivania Wong** - Sunnybank
Malaela Su’a* - Easts
Melanie Wilks* - Bond University/Caboolture
Renae Nona* - Sunnybank
Sarah Lewis* - GPS/Hervey Bay
Terri-Anne Egan - Sunnybank/Gold Coast
Claudia McLaren - Easts
Alana Elisaia** - Wests
Caitlin Urwin - University of Queensland/Gympie
Heleina Young - GPS
Georgia Sim - Souths/Darling Downs
Meg Jakins - Roma Echidnas/Darling Downs
Rachel Crothers - Easts/Sunshine Coast *Denotes capped Queensland Reds player **Denotes capped Queensland Reds & Wallaroos player
