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Fijian Drua primed to push for three-peat as Super Rugby Women’s squads named
The Fijian Drua made history in both of the last two seasons as they joined the NSW Waratahs as the only teams to have ever been crowned Super W champions.
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But while their back-to-back triumphs are etched forever in the history books, the Drua are primed to push for a third-consecutive title under new coach Mosese Rauluni.
Rauluni, who captained Fiji to the men’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in 2007, was confirmed as the Dura’s new coach last month and brings a wealth of experience into the role.
“There are key appointments for the management team responsible for the entire annual program for our women’s 15s players,” Fiji Rugby Union Board of Trustee Chairman Peter Mazey said in a statement last month.
Super W Squad is 🔒’d in for 2024! #ANewEraForQueensland https://t.co/bEC1X9XdQT
— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) February 19, 2024
“Moses is no stranger to Fiji Rugby or to our players. He has been part of our system for quite some time for both the women’s and men’s national teams and came through the recruitment process with flying colours.
“We were impressed by his vision for the women’s program.”
Ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Women’s season, the Fijian Drua have been joined by the other five clubs in confirming their squads for the 2024 campaign.
The return of Wallaroos Arabella McKenzie, Kaitlan Leaney and Emily Chancellor headline a star-studded Waratahs squad who are chasing their first title in a few years.
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Lori Cramer has also joined the Queensland Reds for the 2024 season following a stint in the UK. The Reds, who were beaten in last year’s final, have named a squad that includes New Zealand-born Wallaroos first-five Carys Dallinger.
The Western Force have added some international flair to their roster with Canada hooker Sara Cline, Japan prop Hinata Komaki and Tonga rugby league international Haylee Hifo signing on.
Papua New Guinea’s first professional rugby player, Melanie Kawa, joins former Wallaroos captain Grace Hamilton in returning to the Melbourne Rebels for the 2024 season.
Finally, the Brumbies have named a settled squad with Wallaroos centre Siokapesi Palu leading the way. 19-year-old playmaker Faitala Moleka is also set for another big year in the capital.
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The Super Rugby W season will get underway on March 15 when the Western Force hosts the Melbourne Rebels at Perth’s HBF Park.
NSW Waratahs take on the ACT Brumbies at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium the next day, and in the last game of the opening round, the Queensland Reds take on the Fiji Drua at Ballymore.
Super W squads for 2024
ACT BRUMBIESKatalina Amosa, Ashlea Bishop, Lily Bone, Bonnie Brewer, Biola Dawa, Chioma Enyi, Benita Ese Sale, Ashley Fernandez, Martha Fua, Sally Fuesaina, Jess Grant, Kat Holland, Jasmin Huriwai, Harmony Ioane, Lydia Kavoa, Kyah Little, Kolora Lomani, Loretta Mailangi, Becka Marsters, Anastasia Martin, Erika Maslen, Jemima McCalman, Faitala Moleka, Tania Naden, Siokapesi Palu, Gabrielle Petersen, Kayla Sauvao, Allana Sikimeti, Hannah Stewart, Jaimie Studdy, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Iris Verebalavu, Neomai Vunga (PacificAus Sports Scholarship), Joanne Butler (PacificAus Sports Scholarship).FIJIAN DRUARepeka Aditove, Vani Arei, Luisa Basei, Noelani Baselala, Atelaite Buna, Adita Christine, Jade Tayla Coates, Merewai Cumu, Salanieta Kinita, Anasimeci Korovata, Litiana Lawedrau, Litia Marama, Keleni Marawa, Vika Matarugu, Salanieta Nabuli, Vulori Nabura, Karalaini Naisewa, Mereoni Nakesa, Merewai Nasilasila, Merewairita Neivosa, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Setaita Railumu, Jennifer Ravutia, Tiana Robanakadavu, Merewalesi Rokovono, Iva Sauira, Loraini Seinivutu, Evivi Senikarivi, Asinate Serevi, Nunia Uluikadavu, Mereoni Vonosere, Sulita Waisega.WESTERN FORCEEmilya Byrne, Sara Cline, Rosie Ebbage, Zoe Gillard, Haylee Hifo, Sheree Hume, Tamika Jones, Natsuki Kashiwagi, Kendra Fell, Hinata Komaki, Saelua Leaula, Nicole Ledington, Michaela Leonard, Keira MacAskill, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Rosie McGehan, Alapeta Ngauamo, Renae Nona, Hannah Palelei, Trilleen Pomare, Ariana Ruru-Hinaki, Anneka Stephens, Pia Tapsell, Harono Te Iringa, Libya Teepa, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Dallys Tini, Alanis Toia, Numi Tupaea, Braxton Walker, Aiysha Wigley, Samantha Wood, Seneti Kilisimasi (PacificAus Sports Scholarship), Siutiti Ma’ake (PacificAus Sports Scholarship).QLD REDSGrace Baker, Jemma Bemrose, Maletina Brown, Lori Cramer, Carys Dallinger, Briana Dascombe, Sarah Dougherty, Alana Elisaia, Aleena Greenhalgh, Haidee Head, Charli Jacoby, Janita Kareta, Ashlee Knight, Carola Kreis, Tiarna Molloy, Doreen Narokete, April Ngatupuna, Liz Patu, Isabelle Robinson, Deni Ross, Shalom Sauaso, Madison Schuck, Cecilia Smith, Theresa Soloai, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Lucy Thorpe, Caitlin Urwin, Dianne Waight, Ava Wereta, Melanie Wilks, Ivania Wong, Natalie Wright.MELBOURNE REBELSTasmin Barber, Laetitia Bobo, Laiema Bosenavulagi, Tyra Boysen-Auimatagi, Lucy Brown, Mia-Rae Clifford, Halley Derera, Georgia Fowler, Grace Freeman, Hayley Glass, Grace Hamilton, Sarah Hogan, Paula Ioane, Melanie Kawa, Chanelle Kohika-Skipper, Ash Marsters, Crystal Mayes, Tiarah Minns, Sydney Niupulusu, Jayme Nuku, Sui Pauaraisa, Teuila Pritchard, Cassie Siataga, Joiwana Sauto, Millicent Scutt, Mary Tuaana, Hollie Twidale, Fapiola Uoifaleahi, Harmony Vatau.NSW WARATAHSKatrina Barker, Tatum Bird, Hollie Cameron, Emily Chancellor, Georgia Chapple, Skye Churchill, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Waiaria Ellis, Rosie Ferguson, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Martha Harvey, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Atasi Lafai, Kaitlan Leaney, Arabella McKenzie, Brittany Merlo, Desiree Miller, Layne Morgan, Sera Naiqama, Leilani Nathan, Bridie O’Gorman, Millie Parker, Emily Robinson, Jade Sheridan, Maya Stewart, Adiana Talakai, Siusiuosalafai Volkman, Jacinta Windsor.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments