The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have named their side heading to Perth for their Round 1 Smartech Super Rugby Women's clash against the Western Force on Saturday (kickoff 5:05pm AEDT).
Head coach Andy Friend has named a total of six possible debutants in his squad of 23 as Easter Savelio, Charlie Brigstocke, Merania Paraone all line up in the starting XV for their first taste of top-grade Australian women's rugby.
Hannah Stewart, Lily Bone and Manua Moleka also shape up to take the field from the reserves on Saturday for their competition debuts. Moleka's potential inclusion would see her earn a Brumbies cap just two years after her sister Faitala, who will open the match in the flyhalf position.
Leading the side onto the playing field will be captain Siokapesi Palu in the number six jersey as the long-serving Brumby searches for an opening round win against the Force.
Coach Friend says selecting a team following a strong pre-season from the squad was a welcome challenge leading into their Round 1 fixture.
A particular highlight from the veteran coach was the battle for the halfback role this season with returning Brumby Ella Ryan, capped Wallaroo Jay Huriwai and local young gun Bonnie Brewer all fighting for a spot in 2025.
"We've got three really top quality halfbacks … so there's some real quality coming through and there is a real battle for who is going to get the starting spot and the reserve spot, and a good one is going to miss out," said Friend.
Winning the starting 9 jersey for Round 1 is Ella Ryan, following her return to the club this pre-season and her shift from flyhalf, where she had previously played for the Brumbies in 2020-22.
"I had a good chat with Ella when she came back into the program and asked her where she wanted to play, and she said anywhere in the backline, and nine is a position where we've got some real quality but having an additional one is also good for us," said Friend.
"She's got the ability, as we've seen to play nine. I just love her rugby intelligence I think she's a smart rugby player, but she's a real athlete as well and we're seeing that in her performances at the moment as well."
More generally, Friend also showed his optimism for the season ahead and how the squad currently shapes up, before previewing what will undoubtedly be a tough but entertaining fixture against the Force on Saturday.
"I think we're in a good spot, we've had three trials now where we lost the first two and won the last one so it's always good to win one of those. But as we talked about yesterday with the girls we're not getting ahead of ourselves, it was a good Drua team last week but we've still got a lot of improvements yet," said the coach.
"They've [Force] have recruited very well … so that's going to make them more formidable. On top of that it's the first game of the tournament and it's at home for them, so they'll be licking their wounds a little bit from the Tah's on the weekend but they'll be a good side."
Round 1, 2025 Smartech Super Rugby Women's – Saturday 1st March (5.05pm AEDT/2.05pm AWST)
Western Force vs Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies
HBF Park, Perth
Starting XV
- Lydia Kavoa
- Tania Naden
- Iroha Kishimoto
- Ashley Fernandez
- Easter Savelio*
- Siokapesi Palu (c)
- Chioma Enyi
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra
- Ella Ryan
- Faitala Moleka
- Charlie Brigstocke*
- Merania Paraone*
- Harmony Ioane
- Biola Dawa
- Kyah Little
Finishers
16. Katalina Amosa
17. Martha Fua
18. Hannah Stewart*
19. Lily Bone*
20. Jess Grant
21. Bonnie Brewer
22. Manua Moleka*
23. Gabrielle Petersen
* denotes possible competition debut.
