The Tabcorp Brumbies have made two changes to their starting side to take on the President’s XV in round two of Buildcorp Super W this Sunday in Coffs Harbour.
High-school star Makayla Morris has been inserted straight into the starting lineup to debut at fullback with coach Dan Hawke promoting teenage lock Ash Fernandez to the run-on side after the Brumbies round one victory over the Melbourne Rebels.
Vice-captain Harriet Elleman will be flanked once again by Iris Verebalavu and Louise Burrows in the starting front-row, with Fernandez partnering skipper Michaela Leonard in the second row.
An unchanged backrow sees round one try scorer Zali Waihape-Andrews at number eight, with the impressive duo of Pearl Rakete and Rebecca Smyth starting at blindside and openside flanker respectively.
Jane Garraway and Ella Ryan renew their partnership in the halves, while Siokapesi Palu and Lillyann Mason-Spice will once again occupy the centre roles having been two of the Brumbies best in round one.
After both bagging tries in round one, Halley Derera and Talei Qalo Wilson will line up on the wings, joining Morris in a potent back-three.
Montana Ojeda will provide spark as the hooker replacement, with Niki Paterson and Kimberley Fyfe selected as the prop finishers.
The Brumbies finishing forward pack will be bolstered by Wallaroos-squad members Grace Kemp and Tayla Stanford who both start the game on the bench.
Hunter Wildfires scrumhalf Susannah Cooke will deputise Garraway after making her first appearance for the Brumbies last week.
High-school star Teliya Heteraka is set to make her Brumbies debut off the bench, the Erindale College product able to cover flyhalf and centre.
Claudia Obst completes the Brumbies matchday selection in the number 23 jersey.
Tabcorp Brumbies coach Dan Hawke said: “We’re really excited to see Makayla play her first game for the Brumbies.”
“Playing at this level while still in school is not easy, but she is ready and we think she can excel at Super W level, particularly with her strong kicking game.
“This tournament will take a full-squad effort and while we’ve stuck with a relatively unchanged group, our finishers are going to have a big role to play against a dangerous President’s XV outfit.”
TABCORP BRUMBIES TEAM vs MELBOURNE REBELS
1. Iris Verebalavu
2. Harriet Elleman
3. Louise Burrows
4. Michaela Leonard (c)
5. Ash Fernandez
6. Pearl Rakete
7. Rebecca Smyth
8. Zali Waihape-Andrews
9. Jane Garraway
10. Ella Ryan
11. Halley Derera
12. Siokapesi Palu
13. Lillyann Mason-Spice
14. Talei Qalo Wilson
15. Makayla Morris*
REPLACEMENTS
16. Montana Ojeda
17. Niki Paterson
18. Kimberley Fyfe
19. Grace Kemp
20. Tayla Stanford
21. Susannah Cooke
22. Teliya Heteraka*
23.Claudia Obst
*Denotes potential Brumbies, Super W debut
The Tabcorp Brumbies will play the President's XV in Round Two of Buildcorp Super W at C. EX Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour on Sunday June 27 at 11:00am AEST. LIVE and AD FREE on the new Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.
