The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have unveiled their line-up for their first match of the Super Rugby Women's season against the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium.
The Brumbies will travel up the Hume Highway for their first competition match in 2024 in Sydney, with coach Scott Fava determined to ensure that his team are prepared for the encounter against the four-time Super W Champions.
The teams three pre-season games have provided Fava with the insights required to name the first team for the opening game of the season. The Brumbies team boasts greater depth than ever before and features five Super Rugby Women's debutants and three Brumbies debutants.
Brumbies veteran Siokapesi Palu will Captain the team as she takes her place in the side at number 6. Palu will be supported on the field by co-Vice-Captains Tania Naden and Jemima McCalman.
The Round 1 team also consists of four Wallaroos in Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Jay Huriwai, Faitala Moleka and Kayla Sauvao and Fijian Internationals Iris Verebalavu and Kolora Lomani.
With multiple debutants given their first chance in Brumbies colours, Chioma Enyi and Kayla Sauvao have been named in the starting team. Kyah Little, Allana Sikimeti, Kolora Lomani and newly added Japanese recruit Iroha Kishimoto will also be given their first chance in the Super Rugby Women's competition. The list of debutants also consists of two former Waratah players, Katalina Amosa, and Loretta Mailangi.
Coach Fava says he is eager for the first match so he can see the effort from pre-season translate onto the field against the Waratahs.
"It's a great mix of 15 player from last years' squad that made the semi-final, which brings continuity as well as Brumbies debutants looking to bring something new to the side," said Fava.
"Our debutants are a diverse group of players who are looking for an opportunity to perform at an elite level. Iroha has arrived from Japan and Chioma is a local player getting her first chance as a Brumby after graduating from the Women’s Academy in 2023. It will also be great to see Kayla get her first start in the competition as she has never featured in the competition despite being a Wallaroo."
- Sally Fuesaina (Campbelltown Harlequins)
- Tania Naden (Uni-Norths Owls)
- Iris Verebalavu (Uni-Norths Owls)
- Kate Holland (Hunter Wildfires)
- Ashley Fernandez (Canberra Royals)
- Siokapesi Palu (Uni-Norths Owls)
- Chioma Enyi (Western Districts) *
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra (Tuggeranong Vikings)
- Jay Huriwai (Queanbeyan Whites)
- Faitala Moleka (Sydney Uni)
- Jemima McCalman (Sydney Uni)
- Kayla Sauvao (Campbelltown Harlequins) *
- Harmony Ioane (Queanbeyan Whites)
- Biola Dawa (Canberra Royals)
- Ashlea Bishop (Canberra Royals)
Finishers
16. Katalina Amosa (Gungahlin Eagles)*
17. Allana Sikimeti (Tuggeranong Vikings)*
18. Iroha Kishimoto (Tokyo Phoenix)*
19. Jess Grant (TBA)
20. Loretta Mailangi (Gungahlin Eagles)*
21. Lydia Kavoa (Uni-Norths) Owls)
22. Kyah Little (Hunter Wildfires)*
23. Kolora Lomani (TBA)*
*Debut
