Reds name settled side for semi-final after famous win over fierce rivals

The Queensland Reds will field an unchanged starting side for a Super Rugby Women’s semi-final against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka, with the inclusion of Wests hooker Mary Tuaana on the bench the sole change to the matchday 23.

Queensland secured a first-ever win over fierce rivals the NSW Waratahs in the final round of the regular season, but another tough challenge looms. The Reds are just days away from a knockout match against the Drua, who finished in first place on the ladder.

Jemma Bemrose captains the Reds once again from No. 5 lock, linking up with Bond University’s Lucy Thorpe in the second row. Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani packs down alongside Zophronia Setu and Hayley Glass up front.

Zoe Hanna starts at blindside flanker, with Dillyn Blackburn lining up on the other side of the scrum as the first-choice openside. Tiarna Molloy rounds out the pack as the No. 8, while others like Black Fern Tanya Kalounivale will provide forward cover off the pine.

In the backs, scrum-half Sarah Dougherty and fly-half Lori Cramer will combine in the halves, after the two impressed against the Tahs. They will look to provide quick service to the centre pairing of Ava Wereta and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea.

Easts flyer Piper Flynn lines up on one wing, with Charli Brigstocke on the other edge, and Harmoney Vatau starting at fullback. Briana Bascombe is one of the backs named on the bench, as the Reds prepare for an almighty task at Churchill Park.

“A lot of what we have spoken about is the internal game, the mindset. That win really proves it’s all kind of mental in a way,” fly-half Cramer said.

“It’s not like we had any magic training or anything. We didn’t get 100 times better in the week leading up to that game.

“It’s just how you prepare, how we turn up and put bodies on the line for each other and the jersey.

“So, yes, we got a lot of belief from that result in Sydney for what we face in Lautoka.” Cramer is one of the Reds’ women remaining from the side that upset the Drua 22-19 on the same field in Lautoka to open the 2025 season.

“We’re expecting a lot of noise and energy from the crowd. That’s obvious. It’s Fiji but it is also a historic day with the Drua women hosting a home semi-final for the first time.

“It’ll be exciting, one to remember. We’ve spoken a bit about last year’s game for the girls who haven’t experienced playing in Fiji.

“There’s the crowd, the way the Drua do catch fire and things like frogs jumping around on the field before the game last year.”

Queensland Reds team for Super Rugby Women’s semi-final

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