The Tabcorp Brumbies have made four changes to their starting lineup for round three of Buildcorp Super W against the NSW Waratahs on Wednesday 29 June in Coffs Harbour.
Young gun Teliya Hetaraka and former NSW U18 State of Origin star Tess Staines will make their first appearance in the Brumbies starting lineup, with fullback Claudia Obst promoted back into the run-on side after an impressive stint off the bench in round two.
Lock Emily Sogal’s inclusion is the final change to the Brumbies starting group, the experienced campaigner set to make her first appearance this season, partnering skipper Michaela Leonard in the second row.
The rest of the pack remains unchanged from the Brumbies narrow loss to the President’s XV in round two.
Vice-captain Harriet Elleman remains at hooker, Iris Verebalavu at loosehead prop and veteran Louise Burrows at tighthead prop.
Pearl Rakete and Rebecca Smyth will provide constant energy in the two flanker roles, with Zali Waihape-Andrews bringing plenty of punch at number eight.
The Brumbies halves pairing stays intact from the first two rounds, halfback Jane Garraway partnering Ella Ryan who will guide the Brumbies backline from flyhalf.
Hetaraka’s selection at inside centre sees Siokapesi Palu switch to outside centre, Lillyann Mason-Spice ruled out through injury.
Halley Derera has been one of the finds of the 2021 season so far, the Victorian flyer having scored a delightful double in round two. Derera will start on the left wing for the third straight game with Staines on the right.
Obst completes an exciting looking Brumbies back-three at fullback.
Montana Ojeda, Niki Paterson and Kimberley Fyfe form a familiar looking front row finishing group for the Brumbies.
Canberra Royals youngsters Ash Fernandez and Grace Kemp will bring power off the bench, with Kemp having caught the eye with some devastating carries in the closing moments of round two.
Susannah Cooke will cover halfback with Apryll Green coming back into the gameday 23 to provide some spark to the outside backs. Talei Qalo Wilson completes the Brumbies round three selection.
Tabcorp Brumbies coach Dan Hawke said: "It's grea to be able to call on a couple experienced players to come in to the team for what's going to be a massive challenge against the Waratahs."
"[Emily Sogal] has been here before and knows what it takes to compete at this level, and Claudia coming back into fullback will give us a different look in attack.
"Having those two to compliment Teliya and Tess who we believe can give us some added x-factor is exciting for us and we're confident they will go out there and give it a real crack.
"We know they're the standard, we know we'll have to defend well but we also have to back ourselves to make it difficult for them, to put them under pressure give ourselves a chance at pulling off a famous win."
TABCORP BRUMBIES TEAM vs NSW WARATAHS
1. Iris Verebalavu
2. Harriet Elleman
3. Louise Burrows
4. Michaela Leonard (c)
5. Emily Sogal
6. Pearl Rakete
7. Rebecca Smyth
8. Zali Waihape-Andrews
9. Jane Garraway
10. Ella Ryan
11. Halley Derera
12. Teliya Hetaraka
13. Siokapesi Palu
14. Tess Staines
15. Claudia Obst
REPLACEMENTS
16. Montana Ojeda
17. Niki Paterson
18. Kimberley Fyfe
19. Ash Fernandez
20. Grace Kemp
21. Susannah Cooke
22. Apryll Green
23. Talei Qalo Wilson
The Tabcorp Brumbies will play the NSW Waratahs in Round Three of Buildcorp Super W at C. EX Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour on Wednesday 30 June at 3:00pm AEST. LIVE and AD FREE on the new Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.
