Lori Cramer returns after Barbarians call-up for Reds-Waratahs derby

Lori Cramer has been named to return for the Queensland Reds after a massive week overseas with the Women’s Barbarians, with the Wallaroos playmaker suiting up in the black and white hoops against Wales in London.

Cramer made the long-haul trip to the UK for the match at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, lining up at fullback in a star-studded side that included NSW Waratahs skipper Emily Chancellor and New Zealand rugby great Ruby Tui.

The Reds utility returned home to Queensland this week, now set for a start at fly-half against two-time defending Super Rugby Women’s champions the NSW Waratahs, who are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Western Force.

Australia Sevens flyer Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea is another notable inclusion in the First XV, having been selected at outside centre. Lefau-Fakaosilea moves into the starting side after playing more than 25 minutes off the bench against the Fijian Drua last weekend.

Sarah Doughterty partners Cramer in the halves, while Ava Wereta is the other midfielder named in this Queensland side. Piper Flynn and debutant Charlie Brigstocke are the two wingers, with Harmony Vatau rounding out the outside backs trio as the fullback.

“Lori is back from a big week away and a huge experience with the Barbarians. She did a good job at No.10 at the back end of last season with the way she controlled things,” coach Andrew Fraser said.

“We are hopeful she’ll be able to free up some of our big ball-runners.

“Alysia showed in her limited minutes last weekend that she has not forgotten anything about XVs rugby,

“She brings physicality and confrontation to the centres and she’ll have a good match-up against Wallaroo Georgie Friedrichs.

“Charlie is a power athlete with real speed and is hard to stop when she gets into space. She showed some good signs in the trials, she trains really well and we are keen to see her in this one.”

In the forwards, Eva Karpani has been named at tighthead prop after scoring an incredible try against the Drua. Karpani will pack down alongside loosehead prop Hayley Glass and hooker Zophronia Setu up front.

Lucy Thorpe joins Reds captain Jemma Bemrose in the second row, and Zoe Hanna and Dillyn Blackburn are the starting flankers. Tiarna Molloy is the other player named in the starting forward pack, set the wear the No. 8 jersey.

This match will be held at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon, set to get underway at 4:05 pm local time.

Queensland Reds team to take on NSW Waratahs

1. Hayley Glass
2. Zophronia Setu
3. Eva Karpani
4. Lucy Thorpe
5. Jemma Bemrose (c)
6. Zoe Hanna
7. Dillyn Blackburn
8. Tiarna Molloy
9. Sarah Dougherty
10. Lori Cramer
11. Piper Flynn
12. Ava Wereta
13. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea
14. Charlie Brigstocke*
15. Harmony Vatau

Reserves

16. Ella Hopper*
17. Jordan Neal
18. Tanya Kalounivale
19. Vineta Teutau
20. Sarah Riordan
21. Evie Sampson
22. Charity Wightman-Beaven
23. Briana Dascombe

*Reds debut