Melbourne Rebels Super W Coach Alana Thomas has today confirmed her 33-woman squad for the upcoming Super W season.
The squad has undergone a major overhaul since season 2019, with as many 20 debutantes in line to make their Super W debuts during the new campaign.
“We have an exciting squad again this year with around two thirds of the squad being new but the new players are bringing some really good energy and skills,” noted coach Alana Thomas.
“We have a number of players that have come through the youth girls pathway and this is something I am really proud and excited about.
“These players are coming into Super W with some really good skills as they have been playing 7’s or XV’s for a couple of years in the youth competition here in Melbourne and playing in the National Schoolgirls tournament.”
The coaching ranks as well have also seen some new blood added, with Wallaroos assistant coach Peter Breen jumping on board as an assistant.
“Obviously, Pete brings that experience from being a coach with the Wallaroos.
“He drives high standards on the field as he knows what we will be competing against in 2020. He is very calm and considered in his approach to coaching and looking after the back line this year has brought great energy to the group. "
The recent Wallaroos development tour of Fiji, where Thomas was invited along as an assistant coach, gave the Rebels cohort the chance to expose their game to an international standard.
“I was really proud that we had five players from the 2019 squad involved with 3 Melbourne based players and two players that came to the Rebels for an opportunity to play Super W,” said Thomas.
“The exposure that the players were given to playing international rugby through the speed and physicality was priceless.
“The players are always working on their game but after being away I am sure they now know what is needed to be a world class rugby player.
“For me as a coach is was great to work with Dwayne (Nestor) and the staff. To learn from them in a collaborative environment was something I was very fortunate to experience.
“To get better at anything you need opportunities and there is no better way than to play or coach at a higher level with good mentors such as Wallaroos and Dwayne Nestor the Wallaroos Head Coach.”
In a first for the program, both Rebels Super W home games this year will be played as double headers alongside the men’s games.
“To play double headers with the men is a fantastic. We are one club and to have the chance to play both our games with them is special.
“For some of our players, playing on AAMI park for the first time is an exciting prospect. “To know that the Stockade will be packed with everyone ready to march with us is something we all can’t wait to experience.
You can catch the Rebels Super W team in action against the Waratahs Women on 14 FEB at AAMI Park, and against the Brumbies Women on 22 FEB at MARS Stadium, Ballarat.
Rebels Super W Squad List
|
First name |
Last name |
|
Annika |
Jamieson |
|
Ashleigh |
Walker |
|
Ashley |
Marsters |
|
Brooke |
Saunders |
|
Carmen |
Landkauf |
|
Eirenei |
Nanai |
|
Faith |
Masina |
|
Gabi |
Bryan |
|
Georgia |
Cormick |
|
Georgina |
Utia |
|
Hayley |
Glass |
|
Indiana |
Lewis |
|
Janita |
Kareta |
|
Jessica |
Campbell |
|
Jessica (Sika) |
Rastrick |
|
May |
Sa'aga |
|
Melanie |
Kawa |
|
Meretiana |
Robinson |
|
Mikaela |
Welti |
|
Nawel |
Remini |
|
Nicola |
Emsley |
|
Norma |
Fuaiva’a |
|
Piper |
Tuifao |
|
Sally |
Kehoe |
|
Sheniqua |
Taula |
|
Tayler |
Savage |
|
Tiarah |
Minns |
|
Titilia |
Yabaki |
|
Tyra |
Boysen |
|
Vani |
Va'aga |
|
Lemamae |
Seu |
|
Liana |
Pritchard |
|
Santoria |
Faaofo-taula |
