They fell off a cliff in 2024, but the Queensland Reds look set for a massive turnaround after confirming a star-studded side for the 2025 season.
After making the final in 2023, the Reds had a dramatic slide in 2024 as they finished on the bottom of the Super Rugby Women’s standings.
The Reds’ one win from five starts saw Grant Anderson depart, with long-time club coach Andrew Fraser stepping in as head coach for the first time.
His arrival and the fine work from high performance manager Nico Andrade coincides with the arrivals of Wallaroos trio Eva Karpani, Layne Morgan and Tiarah Minns.
After taking on New Zealand in Brisbane last year, Eva Karpani will make Ballymore home in 2025. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Australian sevens stars Maddison Levi, sister Teagan, Charlotte Caslick, Kahli Henwood and Bella Nasser will also be available for a couple of matches as the quintet makes late bids to try to convince Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp of their worth ahead of August’s World Cup in England.
There’s also a couple of young guns in the squad, with centre Shalom Sauaso, last year’s breakout rookie, and prop Sky-Yvette Faimalie included.
There are 13 Wallaroos in the 37-person squad, while there are 12 new faces yet to pull on the maroon Queensland jersey.
“We’re delighted to be able to unveil the best 37 players we have in Queensland and all the attributes they represent,” Fraser said.
“To have 13 players in the squad who have represented the Wallaroos shows the high-end experience of the group and a level of confidence to handle the tight situations a season throws at you.
“We are already seeing how having such role models are a real positive for the younger and newer girls in the squad.
“It’s exciting times for Queensland women’s rugby to see a squad of this calibre.”
Morgan’s addition comes after The Roar revealed on Sunday that the exciting 25-year-old halfback was headed north across the border.
She will inject plenty of pace into the squad and help free up discarded Wallaby Carys Dallinger, who paid the price for her side’s struggles in 2024.
“I’m really excited and see this move to the Reds as a great challenge to take on,” Morgan said.
“There were some nerves around leaving something I know but nothing ever good comes from easy decisions.
“I’ve finally finished my studies (an education degree with a maths major) which has given me more flexibility.
“This will be really good for my growth as a player and I’ve already seen, in two sessions, how hard the Reds girls are working and a really good team environment.”
Layne Morgan has switched from the Waratahs to the Reds in 2025. Photo: Queensland Reds
Her arrival will also allow the Reds to have a one-two punch at halfback, with 22-year-old Nat Wright making her Test debut last year.
Whether or not Wright remains at the Reds long-term however remains to be seen, with some, including Yapp, pushing for her to switch states to ensure she plays as much as possible. For now, the Reds are digging their heels in, believing Wright and Morgan can combine successfully.
While the Reds have a star-studded backline that now rivals the Waratahs’, much will depend on how Karpani settles in at Ballymore alongside hard-working lock Tiarah Minns with the side’s tight-five still a work in progress.
The Reds open their Super Rugby season against the Drua in Lautoka on March 8, before hosting the Waratahs on March 16.
QUEENSLAND REDS WOMEN’S 2025 SQUAD
Ariana Hira – Bond University
Bella Nasser – Australian Sevens
Bree-Anna Browne – Brothers
Briana Dascombe – Wests
Caitlin Urwin – University of Queensland
Carola Kreis – Easts
Carys Dallinger – Easts
Charli Jacoby – TBC
Charlotte Caslick – Australian Sevens
Cristo Taufua – TBC
Deni Ross – Brothers
Dillyn Blackburn – Wests
Eva Karpani – Bond University
Faythe Manera – Bond University
Ivania Wong – Sunnybank
Jemma Bemrose – Bond University
Jiowana Sauto – TBC
Kahli Henwood – Australian Sevens
Layne Morgan – TBC
Lori Cramer – University of Queensland
Maddison Levi – Australian Sevens
Maraea Tupai – Wests
Melanie Wilks – Bond
Michelle Curry – Wests
Natalie Wright – University of Queensland
Piper Flynn – Easts
Renae Nona – Sunnybank
Sarah Riordan – Brothers
Sarah Dougherty – GPS
Shalom Sauaso – TBC
Sky-Yvette Faimalie – Sunnybank
Teagan Levi – Australian Sevens
Tiarah Minns – University of Queensland
Tiarna Molloy – Easts
Vineta Teutau – TBC
Zoe Hanna – Bond University
Zophronia Setu – University of Queensland
Head coach: Andrew Fraser
Assistant coaches: Damon Virtue, Simon Craig, Eddie Aholelei
