3 Fijians Named In Queensland Reds Women Squad

Three Fijians are listed in the Queensland academy squad released on Wednesday ahead of the 2022 Super W in Australia.

The Super W is the women’s rugby union competition held in Australia featuring five teams: Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels, NSW Warratahs, Queensland and Western Force.

The three are forwards Ema Masi and Vuanimasei Rasolea and backline player Grace Qaranivalu.

Australia Olympics captain Shannon Parry is also named in the squad.

“It’s great to be back on the park and in the gym with the team,” women Reds coach Rami Chand said.

“We have a really good group with a lot of new faces all competing for spots in the Super W side for next year.

“The chance to build depth is what we’re excited about.

“Our role is to compete and win Super W, but we also need to produce Wallaroos and with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, the players have an opportunity to put their hands up for selection.”

Queensland Rugby’s High Performance Manager for Women’s Rugby Reg Tayler says: “We’re hoping to create a programme in the Women’s XV space, where we can identify and begin working with players early in their careers and help prepare them to be professional athletes.”

Super W started in 2018 and in the last four years Queensland came short of winning after losing to NSW Warratahs in all the finals.

In this year’s July final NSW Warratahs stomped Reds 45-12.

The NSW Warratahs featured Fijians, Sera Naiqama and Iliseva Batibasaga.

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