The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have locked in their squad for the upcoming 2025 Super Rugby Women's season, commencing on the 1st of March with a Round 1 fixture against the Western Force in Perth.
Headlined by 21 returnees from the 2024 season, Head Coach Andy Friend's new roster shapes as a force to be reckoned with in the coming year.
Siokapesi Palu retains her captain status as the Centre-turned-Flanker looks to lead by example once again in 2025.
Including Palu, a total of eight Wallaroos squad members will also line up for the Brumbies as recent sensations Biola Dawa, Lydia Kavoa, Sally Fuesaina and Ashley Fernandez join representative mainstays Faitala Moleka, Tania Naden, Tabua Tuinakauvadra in the Capital.
A wealth of international experience will also join the Brumbies as Japanese Prop Iroha Kishimoto rejoins the side, while USA representative Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele heads to Canberra for the first time in her career. Fijian Olympic sevens bronze medalist Ana Naimasi will bolster the Brumbies backs just months after a podium finish in France.
New Zealand Product Merania Paraone will offer her vast experience in 2025, after having previously represented Chiefs Manawa in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. Samoan international Easter Savelio rounds out the sides overseas recruits following a strong performance from the lock against Australia's A squad in September next year.
The Brumbies will also benefit from a mid-season boost of Australian 7s talent as trio Demi Hayes, Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds offer their talents to the Brumbies in 2025 following World Series success in Perth.
Head Coach Andy Friend says landing on the squad presented some tough decisions in pre-season, but he is greatly excited for the year ahead.
"It's been a tricky process because we've had a lot of dedicated and talented young women who have unfortunately missed out, it's never easy but to land on this squad is a positive step for the season ahead," said Friend.
"We've got some really top quality international talent coming into the squad which has been great for us as a program, but also great for them. I always believe that the best programs have diversity within the group. To have these players willing and choosing to play for the club is a really positive step for Brumbies Rugby."
"I think over the last few years the quality and the depth has been building, so it's nice to have 21 returning players, just over 65% which is great. But there's always going to be some new faces in there, which is a real credit to the new athletes that they've managed to secure a contract."
"We've seen enormous growth since we started pre-season and there is still more in us. I'm not sure what the ceiling is for this group, I know it's high. I don't think they know what it is either, I just want them to believe that the ceiling is very, very high and shoot for that."
Faitala Moleka (Uni-Norths Owls)
Biola Dawa (Canberra Royals)
Ashlea Bishop (Canberra Royals)
Merania Paraone (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Ana Naimasi (Fiji)
Ella Ryan (TBC)
Bonnie Brewer (Canberra Royals)
Gabrielle Petersen (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Harmony Ioane (Wests Lions)
Jay Huriwai (Wests Lions)
Kyah Little (TBC)
Manua Moleka (TBC)
Charlie Brigstocke (Uni-Norths Owls)
Demi Hayes (Australian Sevens)
Bienne Terita (Australian Sevens)
Tia Hinds (Australian Sevens)
Siokapesi Palu (c) (Uni-Norths Owls)
Lydia Kavoa (Uni-Norths Owls)
Sally Fuesaina (TBC)
Tabua Tuinakauvadra (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Tania Naden (Uni-Norths Owls)
Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele (USA)
Ashley Fernandez (Uni-Norths Owls)
Katalina Amosa (TBC)
Iroha Kishimoto (Japan)
Martha Fua (Gungahlin Eagles)
Chioma Enyi (Wests Lions)
Easter Savelio (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Jess Grant (Uni-Norths Owls)
Lily Bone (Wests Lions)
Edwina Munns-Cook (Canberra Royals)
Hannah Stewart (Canberra Royals)
Piper Rankmore (TBC)
Ella Hopper (TBC)
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