Schoolgirl Shalom Sauaso has been promoted to the starting side for the Queensland Reds’ clash against the Western Force on Saturday in Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s.
The 16-year-old from Ipswich State High School made an instant impact on debut off the bench against the Fijian Drua last Sunday with a storming run by three defenders to the tryline.
Sauaso has been named on the wing for Saturday afternoon’s 4.05pm AEST match at Perth’s HBF Park, the first leg of a double-header with the Reds-Force to follow in Super Rugby Pacific.
She’ll have the comfort of six Wallaroos in the backline around her, including outside centre Alana Elisaia, who is returning from suspension.
Reds head coach Grant Anderson said a spot in the side had to be found for the youngest member of the Reds squad after her debut.
“In the 30 or so minutes that Shalom played against the Drua, she showed a real maturity and made some strong carries with excellent post-contact metres. We’re keen to see her start,” Anderson said.
“Caitlin (Urwin) had a very good game herself and she’ll be used off the bench this week.” A beaming Sauso was wearing numerous lolly leis around her neck post-match, a show of celebration from family and friends in Pasifika culture.
“I’ll never forget that feeling (when scoring the try). To get around the girls who have helped me learn this code made the moment even more special,” Sauaso said.
“I’m super-grateful for the opportunity the Reds have given me. Honestly, it’s one of my biggest achievements so far.”
Anderson has made four changes to the starting side. It also reflects losing three players to ankle injuries in centre Mel Wilks, No.8 Doreen Narokete and flanker Carola Kreis.
In a remodelled backrow, Grace Baker has been selected to make her debut, Lucy Thorpe will start and Jemma Bemrose will shift to No.8 after an excellent Reds debut against the Drua.
On the bench, April Ngatupuna will revert to a reserve backrower role.
The return of experienced prop Theresa Soloai will stiffen the front-row depth from the bench while there is also a chance for Bond University winger Dianne Waight to make her Reds debut as a pacy replacement.
“Jemma was one of our best against the Drua. She led our stats for tackles and she had a high workrate generally,” Anderson said.
“Lucy had good lead-up form in the trials and Grace has the excitement of a debut ahead.
“We had some good scrums against the Drua but it is an area to work on for more consistency. Theresa, at prop, brings physicality and valuable experience from the bench.
“If we can win a good share of clean ball, we have the backs to do some damage. We’ve worked at reducing our handling errors and the team is excited to step up again.”
There were some excellent signs against the Drua. Fullback Lori Cramer was a strong voice at the back and tackled bravely to stall several Fijian attacks. Flyhalf Carys Dallinger showed her skills with a 50:22 kick to get the team on attack and distributed neatly with some sharp passes.
Saturday 23 March
HBF Park, Perth
4:05pm AEST
Watch live via 9GEM and Stan Sport
1. Madi Schuck – Bond University – Alexandra Hills SHS – Redlands
2. Tiarna Molloy – Easts – Warialda State High School – Inverell Highlanders
3. Charli Jacoby – Bond University – Bartlett High School, USA
4. Deni Ross – Wests – Oak Hill College
5. Aleena Greenhalgh – Wests – Shalom College Bundaberg
6. Lucy Thorpe – Bond University – Queen Elizabeth High School - Tynedale
7. Grace Baker* - Bond University - Miami SHS Helensvale Hogs
8. Jemma Bemrose – Bond University – Elanora SHS – Palm Beach Alligators
9. Sarah Dougherty – GPS – Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay
10. Carys Dallinger – Easts – Manukura School, NZ – Fielding Yellows, NZ
11. Ivania Wong – Sunnybank – Balmoral SHS
12. Cecilia Smith – Sunnybank – Leeton High School
13. Alana Elisaia - Wests - Cleveland SHS
14 Shalom Sauaso – Sunnybank – Ipswich SHS – Marist Ryze
15. Lori Cramer – University of Queensland – Kelvin Grove State College
Reserves
17. Liz Patu – Wests – Corinda SHS
18. Maletina Brown – Easts – Kingston College – Logan Saints
28. Theresa Soloai - Easts - Holland Park SHS
19. Ashlee Knight – Wests – Superior Senior High School, USA
24. April Ngatupuna – Easts – Porirua College, NZ
20. Ava Wereta – Bond University – King’s Christian College – Coomera Crushers
21. Caitlin Urwin – University of Queensland – St Patrick’s College – Gympie Hammers
22. Dianne Waight**- Bond University - Southport SHS
*Reds debut
** Potential Reds debut
