The Super Rugby Women’s squads were confirmed yesterday, with all five sides naming their teams for the upcoming season kicking off on February 28th.
The 2024 season saw the Waratahs return to the winner’s circle, defeating two-time champions the Fijian Drua 50-14 in front of a vocal crowd at Ballymore. Despite the one-sided final, the season was anything but, with a clear closing of the gap between the two champion sides and the chasing pack – particularly the big improvers in the ACT Brumbies and the Western Force.
As the Wallaroos progress towards full professionalism, the growth in the pathway has been reflected in the squads for the eighth edition of the competition, with each side taking very different approaches to their upcoming seasons.
SEE SUPER RUGBY WOMEN’S 2025 FIXTURES<<<
Not only will all sides boast large Wallaroo contingents, but several teams will welcome experience from overseas – a growing indication of the competition’s space in the global women’s game.
While there will be no Rebels in the competition this year, a Penina Pasifika squad is also set to be confirmed – with development matches taking place for every team facing the bye.
The competition will also see the injection of several sevens stars into the mix – and with a Rugby World Cup on the horizon in August, Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp is expected to have a lot of tough decisions in assembling her squad to take to England – and whether she puts faith in the players who won the WXV2 title last year or goes all in on Australia’s Womens Sevens program. However, Yapp admitted this is the right headache to have.
Nine Australian sevens stars will play in next year’s Super Rugby Women’s competition in a bid to feature at the 2025 women’s World Cup. Photo: Nooroa Takairangi
“From a depth point of view it’s really exciting, the girls seem really excited about being involved as well, which is what you want,” Yapp said in an interview last year with rugby.com.au.
“It started before the Olympics – that expression of interest in the first instance and then obviously wanted to respect their time when they came back and then picked up conversations face to face since then.
“We’re just trying to get a good process and they feel that they’re being supported, but equally we’re respecting the players we’ve got and we’re creating playing opportunities for them to play, and that’s through Super Rugby W.
“With these players coming in and players returning from injury, it puts us in an exciting position going into this next year.”
SEE SUPER RUGBY WOMEN’S TRIAL TRACKER<<<
With every side either already commencing or set to commence pre-season in February, the next few months are set to be a busy time in the Aussie Women’s rugby calendar – especially with the local season culminating in the inaugural Super Rugby Champions Final, which will see the winner of Super Rugby Women’s take on the winner of Super Rugby Aupiki.
FULL SQUADS
*denotes Super Rugby Women’s debutant
NSW Waratahs
Will the Waratahs go back-to-back in 2025? (Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images)
The Waratahs are set for a year of the next generation, with their 33-player squad including nine debutants across all positions in the squad.
The side will be looking to defend their title, and turning to the next generation will make this season even tougher to stay at the top for coach Michael Ruthven.
However, the debutants will be mixed with a strong Wallaroo contingent, with twelve Australian stars and Sevens player Sariah Paki headlining a dangerous squad that will look to earn the sky blue their sixth title.
Of particular note will be the return of several veteran stars who missed out on the 2024 season due to injury, namely Emily Chancellor, Adiana Talakai and Piper Duck.
2025 SQUAD:
Forwards: Bridie O’Gorman, Emily Robinson, Faliki Pohiva*, Georgia Chapple, Seneti Kilisimasi*, Siusiuosalafai Volkman, Adiana Talakai, Brittany Merlo, Millie Parker*, Annabelle Codey, Atasi Lafai, Jayjay Taylor*, Kaitlan Leaney, Tahlia Morgan*, Emily Chancellor, Leilani Nathan, Piper Duck, Ruby Anderson
Backs: Martha Harvey*, Tatum Bird, Tiarne Cavanagh*, Arabella McKenzie, Waiaria Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Jade Sheridan, Katrina Barker, Nicole Nathan, Amelia Whitaker*, Caitlyn Halse, Desiree Miller, Jacinta Windsor, Maya Stewart
Sevens: Sariah Paki
Queensland Reds
Carys Dallinger faces the Fijian Drua at Ballymore Stadium. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
After a horror 2024 season that saw the Sunshine State pick up the wooden spoon for the first time ever, the Reds have inject new blood across the side, with a new coach in Andrew Fraser, and an abundance of Sevens stars, including Charlotte Caslick, Isabella Nasser, and most dangerous, Maddison and Tegan Levi.
This injection compliments a side featuring ten players with international experience, including 13 Wallaroos with new signings in Eva Karpani, Tiarah Minns and Layne Morgan, Canadian stalwart Carola Kreis and US Eagle Charli Jacoby returning for a second season.
“Joining the Reds is definitely new scenery and a good change. I’m enjoying it all,” Karpani said.
“Just meeting and connecting with new teammates and staff plus being challenged by new athletes in the same position in the squad are different ways to be out of your comfort zone.”
Players like Ivania Wong will also be looking to return back to form after missing out due to injury – with the side will also be bolstered by a mammoth 12 debutants.
2025 SQUAD:
Forwards: Jemma Bemrose, Dillyn Blackburn*, Bree-Anna Browne, Sky-Yvette Faimalie*, Zoe Hanna*, Charli Jacoby, Eva Karpani, Carola Kreis, Tiarah Minns, Tiarna Molloy, Sarah Riordan*, Deni Ross, Jiowanna Sauto*, Zophronia Setu*, Cristo Taufua, Vineta Teutau*, Maraea Tupai
Backs: Lori Cramer, Michelle Curry, Carys Dallinger, Briana Dascombe, Sarah Dougherty, Piper Flynn*, Ariana Hira*, Faythe Manera, Layne Morgan, Renae Nona*, Shalom Sauaso, Catilin Urwin, Mel Wilks, Ivania Wong, Natalie Wright
Sevens: Charlotte Caslick, Kahli Henwood, Tegan Levi, Maddison Levi, Isabella Nasser
ACT Brumbies
While the Reds and Tahs are looking to new blood, the Brumbies will lean into consistency with their promising squad that made the 2024 semi-finals, with 21 of their 34 players returning from last year.
The side will welcome a buckload of experience in the coaching ranks, with former Brumbies men’s coach, Sevens and Connacht head coach Andy Friend set to coach the side in 2025.
Several Brumbies, including Biola Dawa, Ashley Fernandez, Faitala Moleka and Tabua Tuinakauvadra were among the best finds for Jo Yapp in 2024, and eight Wallaroos in the squad set to be led by Wallaroo Siokapesi Palu.
Siokapesi Palu will lead the Brumbies again in 2025. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
However, while the side will have the smallest contingent of Wallaroos, it will also be significantly bolstered by the arrival of international cavalry, most notably, the re-signing of Japanese Prop Iroha Kishimoto, and first-time arrivals in USA Eagle Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Fijian Olympic sevens bronze medalist Ana Naimas, Super Rugby Aupiki alumni Merania Paraone and Samoan international Easter Savelio.
To top this off, the Capital will also welcome Demi Hayes, Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds from the Australian Sevens program – hot off their drought-breaking title in Perth.
“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,” said Friend.
“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.”
2025 SQUAD:
Forwards: Siokapesi Palu, Lydia Kavoa, Sally Fuesaina, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Tania Naden, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele*, Ashley Fernandez, Katalina Amosa, Iroha Kishimoto, Martha Fua, Chioma Enyi, Easter Savelio*, Jess Grant, Lily Bone, Edwina Munns-Cook*, Hannah Stewart, Piper Rankmore*, Ella Hopper*
Backs: Faitala Moleka, Biola Dawa, Ashlea Bishop, Merania Paraone*, Ana Naimasi*, Ella Ryan*, Bonnie Brewer, Gabrielle Petersen, Harmony Ioane, Jay Huriwai, Kyah Little, Manua Moleka*, Charlie Brigstocke*
Sevens: Demi Hayes, Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds
Western Force
The Western Force has completed their squad with a massive spending spree, bringing over international stars and current Wallaroos alike to bolster an exciting local contingent from the Western Force academy as it chases a maiden title.
While the Force is the only side to not be allocated any Sevens stars, they have made up for it with a dangerous contingent of eleven Wallaroos stars, including bringing the likes Ashley Marsters, Cecilia Smith, Allana Sikimeti and Sera Naiqama.
Wallaroo veteran Trilleen Pomare will form part of an internationally heavy Western Force side in 2025. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
The side will also welcome former Rebel Samantha Treherne and former Force star Taylor Waterson – the former earning 14 caps for the Wallaroos – Japanese stars Mio Yamanaka and Megumi Takagi, and Fijian Olympic sevens player Adi Vani Buleki.
In addition to 12 players from the Force program also earning the call-up, the inclusion of 2024 Rebecca Clough medalist Samantha Wood, Trilleen Pomare, Michaela Leonard, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Alapeta Ngauamo will make the West a tough trip for any side.
“We are really excited by the squad that’s been put together by the club this year,” confirmed head coach Dylan Parsons.
“Retaining the performing players from last season and recruiting the best talent in Australia in identified positions was the goal and we believe we have been able to achieve this.”
2025 SQUAD:
Forwards: Nami Dickson*, Rosie Ebbage, Zoe Elliott*, Tamika Jones, Michaela Leonard, Loretta Mailangi, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Ashley Marsters*, Sera Naiqama*, Alapeta Ngauamo, Hannah Palelei, Allana Sikimeti*, Anneka Stephens, Megumi Takagi*, Pia Tapsell, Libya Teepa, Braxton Walker
Backs: Adi Vani Buleki*, Georgia Cormick, Halley Derera*, Grace Freeman, Haylee Hifo, Sheree Hume, Nicole Ledington Ngamihi Monk*, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith*, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Samantha Treherne, Taylor Waterson, Samantha Wood, Mio Yamanaka*
Fijiana Drua
Lastly, the 2024 runner’s up will be ready for a big year, with eight rookies and an additional debutant the highlight of a more settled side.
The Drua will be looking to go back to earning their third title in 2025 – while the side did still make finals, losses against the Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels exposed several key challenges the side will have to address.
Will Fijiana bounce back in 2025 after a disappointing year? (Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
These issues continued into the international season, copping big losses against the Wallaroos, Scotland and Samoa – and copping losses against the Netherlands and Spain in a disappointing WXV 3 campaign that saw the side finish fourth.
Consistency will be key for the side, and with so many returning names, Fijiana will likely be markedly improved in 2025 – and with international stars in Merevesi Ofakimalino, Asinate Serevi and Bitila Tawake to call upon in the pack, a solid foundation will still make them a formidable team to face.
2025 SQUAD:
Forwards: Salanieta Nabuli, Bitila Tawake, Loranini Senivutu, Keleni Marawa, Isabella Koi*, Viki Matarugu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Anasimeci Korovata, Mereoni Nakesa, Asinate Serevi, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Karalaini Naisewa, Nunia Daunimoala, Raijieli Daveua*, Aflreda Fisher*, Carletta Yee*
Backs: Evivi Senikarivi, Noelani Baselala*, Kolora Lomani, Salanieta Kinita, Luisa Tisolo, Setaita Railumu, Josivini Naihamu*, Alowesi Nakoci*, Rusila Nagasau*, Vitalina Naikore, Merewairita Neivoha, Ema Adivitaloga, Repeka Tove, Imeri Nai*
