She kicked Canberra Royals to a Grand Final win in 2020, and now fullback Ash Bishop is set to debut for the Tabcorp Brumbies against the Melbourne Rebels, Saturday 3 July in Coffs Harbour.
The 24-year-old will wear Brumbies colours for the first time in the side’s final game of 2021, having impressed with her outstanding kicking game.
Bishop’s inclusion is one of four changes to the Brumbies selection, teenage sensation Teliya Hetaraka handed the reins at flyhalf with Ella Ryan ruled out through injury.
The Brumbies front-row trio of Iris Verebalavu, Harriet Elleman and Louise Burrows will start together for the fourth game in a row having dominated the NSW Waratahs scrum last time out.
A rejigged back-five sees captain Michaela Leonard move to the backrow with Ash Fernandez partnering Emily Sogal in the second row.
Rebecca Smyth retains the seven jersey with Grace Kemp starting at number eight.
Hetaraka will have scrumhalf Jane Garraway to help steer the ship in the halves.
Siokapesi Palu reverts to the inside-centre role with Talei Qalo Wilson coming into the outside-centre position after impressing off the bench against the Waratahs.
Halley Derera and Tess Staines will be hoping for more chances with ball in hand in the left and right wing respectively, Bishop completing the back-three at fullback.
Like the starters, the Brumbies finishing front-row of Montana Ojeda, Niki Paterson and Kimberley Fyfe remains unchanged for the Rebels clash.
The Brumbies will have plenty of backrow spark in reserve Zali Waihape-Andrews and Pearl Rakete starting from the bench.
Susannah Cooke will deputise Garraway with Apryll Green and Claudia Obst the potential match-winners out wide.
Tabcorp Brumbies head coach, Dan Hawke said: “We’re all really excited to see Ash get a start.
“She’s still learning her craft, but we think she’ll give us an added element with her exceptional kicking game.
“We’re not happy with how results have gone here in Coffs but the performance against the Waratahs has given the group a lift and we’re chomping at the bit to go out and finish on a high against the Rebels.”
TABCORP BRUMBIES TEAM vs Melbourne Rebels
1. Iris Verebalavu
2. Harriet Elleman
3. Louise Burrows
4. Ash Fernandez
5. Emily Sogal
6. Michaela Leonard (c)
7. Rebecca Smyth
8. Grace Kemp
9. Jane Garraway
10. Teliya Hetaraka
11. Halley Derera
12. Siokapesi Palu
13. Talei Qalo Wilson
14. Tess Staines
15. Ash Bishop
REPLACEMENTS
16. Montana Ojeda
17. Niki Paterson
18. Kimberley Fyfe
19. Zali Waihape-Andrews
20. Pearl Rakete
21. Susannah Cooke
22. Apryll Green
23. Claudia Obst
The Tabcorp Brumbies will play the Melbourne Rebels to close out their 2021 Buildcorp Super W season at C. EX Coffs International Stadium in Coffs Harbour on Saturday 3 July at 9:00am AEST. LIVE and AD FREE on the new Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.
