45-Test Wallaroos star Eva Karpani re-signs with Queensland Reds

45-Test Wallabies prop Eva Karpani is the latest addition to the Queensland Reds squad for the Super Rugby Women’s season, with coach Andrew Fraser taking charge of a new-look side that will be without 16 players from the 2025 campaign.

Queensland had previously announced a list of 26 players who had signed on for the upcoming campaign, which gets underway for the Reds with an opening-round clash against the ACT Brumbies in Brisbane on June 7.

France international Margaux Duces and playmaker Lori Cramer are among those already named in the Reds roster. The inclusion of Karpani is another significant update for Queensland, who are looking to go one better after losing the Grand Final last season.

Karpani was named the 2025 Shannon Parry Medal winner after a standout Super Rugby season, before representing the Wallaroos at the Rugby World Cup. The front-rower crossed for six tries in the final three games of the 2025 campaign for the Reds.

“Being challenged to lead and leading more in a new squad was a really positive takeaway from 2025. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and I did,” Karpani said.

“Being a senior player in a younger squad of girls, playing a different brand of rugby, was a nice challenge last year and one to build on.

“I think we have some extraordinary players in our 2026 squad and it’s exciting to see the depth we have.”

Fraser added: “The fact she polled so highly in the Shannon Parry Medal is obviously one side to Eva’s value to the squad.

“She is that high-energy impact player but also a wonderfully caring human when it comes to the other players and staff.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of her calibre at the Reds. She returned to the starting side at the Wallaroos and hopefully we will reap some of the rewards of that form.”

Queensland only dropped one game during last season’s round-robin, falling to arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs 14-36 at Ballymore Stadium. Those two sides were meet again during the playoffs, but it was a similar result at North Sydney Oval.

Deisree Miller was recognised as the Player of the Final after the Waratahs stormed home to win the big dance by 22-points on April 12. Georgina Friedrichs crossed for a double, while Kaitlan Leaney, Faliki Pohiva and Emily Robinson also got on the scoresheet.

“I think all the girls involved in the semi-final and final last year will have got so much value from that. They now know the pressure of being in big knockout games,” Karpani reflected.

“When we get back to a big finals game, we will have seen the scenario and be more experienced in that situation. There were really good learnings there.”

Karpani featured in all four Wallaroos matches at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, which included a tournament-defining try against the USA in York. That five-pointer ultimately saw the Wallaroos secure a 31-all draw and qualify for the quarter-finals.

The 45-Test Wallaroo was also involved in 2026 Pacific Four Series Tests, starting the team’s latest fixture against the Black Ferns on Anzac Day. Karpani packed down in the front row, joining Brianna Hoy and Tania Naden up front.

“Playing that international footy was a really good indicator and has given me confidence for Super Rugby Women’s,” Karpani said.

“I’m eager to give Super a good crack and do my part.

“Playing Wallaroos, I got to see (lock) Tiarah Minns really step up into a starting role. She’s got a never-give-up mentality and no one matches her work rate in the forwards.”