29-Test Black Fern named in Queensland Reds side for Brumbies trial

29-Test Black Ferns prop Tanya Kalounivale will represent the Queensland Reds for the first time this weekend, named on the bench for a Super Rugby Women’s pre-season trial against the ACT Brumbies at the University of Canberra.

The Reds announced this week that Kalounivale, who has represented New Zealand at two Rugby World Cups, has put pen to paper on a deal. That followed another significant update from the club, with 45-Test Wallaroos front-rower Eva Karpani re-signing for the 2026 season.

Those two have both been named in the extended 27-player Reds lineup, with coach Andrew Fraser turning to a new fly-half in the side. Akira Kelly will steer the team around the park as the chief playmaker, linking up with Sarah Dougherty in the halves.

Kelly represented Sydney club Randwick and New South Wales in sevens as a teenager, before playing a couple of Super Rugby Women’s matches for the Brumbies in 2023. But a move across codes awaited, joining the Ipswich Jets as a halfback.

But the playmaker is back in the 15-player game, with Kelly revealing Karpani “gave me a push” to return to Super Rugby Women’s. “We definitely have strike players out wide so part of my job is to get the ball to them,” Kelly said.

The Reds have announced that Charlie Brigstocke, Mary Tuaana, Briana Dascombe and Harmony Vatau have signed on for the season ahead. Brigstocke will start on one wing against the Brumbies, while Samoa World Cup representative Vatau has been named at outside centre.

Vatau will combine with Bond University’s Ava Wereta in the midfield, while Piper Flynn and Wallaroo Lori Cramer round out the outside backs.

In the forwards, Karpani headlines a pack that includes Bree-Anna Browne and Zophronia Setu in the front row. Deni Roos and Vineta Teutau form the second row pairing, as they complete the tight five in the starting side.

Jemma Bemrose will captain the Reds from blindside flanker, with Zoe Hanna packing down on the other side of the scrum, Tiarna Molloy is the other member of the forwards in the First XV, lining up at No. 8.

“We are all keen to get started. We’ve been quietly preparing for a long time because our last hitout was in Narrabri at the Santos Festival of Rugby last September,” Fraser said.

“To now have our Wallaroos and sevens players fully involved, Sunday gives us a good chance to see how our prep has gone.

“Zoe, Tiarna and Jemma are all returning to the backrow from long-term injuries so we are looking forward to unleashing their powers and assessing where they are at.”

Queensland Reds to take on ACT Brumbies

1. Bree-Anna Browne – Brothers

2. Zophronia Setu – University of Queensland

3. Eva Karpani – Bond University

4. Deni Ross – Brothers

5. Vineta Teutau – Brothers

6. Jemma Bemrose (c) – Bond University

7. Zoe Hanna – Bond University

8. Tiarna Molloy – Brothers

9. Sarah Dougherty – GPS

10. Akira Kelly – Bond University

11. Charlie Brigstocke – GPS

12. Ava Wereta – Bond University

13. Harmony Vatau – Sunnybank

14. Piper Flynn – Easts

15. Lori Cramer – University of Queensland

16. Mary Tuaana – Wests

17. Jordan Neal – Brothers

18. Tanya Kalounivale – GPS

19. Hayley Glass – University of Queensland

20. Lucy Thorpe – Bond University

21. Dillyn Blackburn – Wests

22. Sarah Riordan – Brothers

23. Evie Sampson – Bond University

24. Charity Wightman-Beaven – University of Queensland

25. Aroha Spillane – University of Queensland

26. Briana Dascombe – Easts

27. Kaelyn Passi – Bond University