Melbourne Rebels Super W Head Coach Alana Thomas has selected her first match day 23 for the 2022 season.
The Rebels Super W side will kick-off this year’s Buildcorp Super W season by hosting newcomers Fijiana Drua at the recently renovated Endeavour Hills Rugby Club.
Saturday’s contest will mark the first game the Rebels Super W team has played in Melbourne in 742 days.
The Rebels will enter its fifth season of Super W competition full of confidence, following two hard-fought trial matches and a pre-season campaign without major disruption, a rarity over the past two seasons.
Thomas said her side was determined to put their pre-season learnings into place and maximise every opportunity that comes their way in 2022.
“Firstly, it’s so exciting for everyone at the Club to be home, and to be able to bring some high-quality women’s rugby back to Melbourne after such a long period playing away from home,” said Thomas.
“Last year we were excited to just be back playing rugby but this year our players are ecstatic to be back playing in Melbourne and having a regular home and away format to prepare for.
“Our whole pre-season program has been focused on being more purposeful with preparation. We know we’re more than competitive, so now it’s about taking those opportunities and converting them, and it starts this weekend against the Drua.”
The Rebels have named a new-look front row led by experienced duo Janita Kareta and Wallaroos’ star Ashley Marsters, with Samoan-born Anome Mafaufau selected to make her Rebels’ debut at tight head prop.
In her third season at The Stockade, Nawel Remini will start in the second row alongside Norma Fuaiva’a, who is set to make her starting debut.
Rebels Captain Mel Kawa will combine with Willow Rowland and Michaela Maunsell in the back row for a second straight year, with Wallaroos’ duo Georgia Cormick and Jade Te Aute partnering at the halves.
Following an injury interrupted 2021 season, Meretiana Robinson will make her long-awaited Super W comeback, with the 2019 and 2020 Club captain named at inside centre, pairing with the exciting Hope Schuster who will make her Melbourne Rebels debut.
Hailing from Auckland, Schuster moved to Australia in 2016, joining Powerhouse Rugby Club before representing the Melbourne Rebels Sevens team in 2017.
After successfully recovering from a major knee injury, the powerfully built back looms as a player to watch ahead of her maiden Super W campaign.
Another rising star, Kirsty Matapa, will make her Rebels’ starting debut, named on the left wing alongside the experienced Amy Williams, with Annie Buntine rounding out the back three at fullback.
Emily Harvey will provide front row support alongside Eirenei Nanaio and debutants Seiloga Taisi and Katie Budgen, while Tangata Tupou, Jessica Campbell, Allysaa Lolesio Pua and Sarah Hogan complete the Rebels Match Day 23.
Saturday’s season opener promises to be a memorable day of Victorian rugby beginning with the Melbourne University’s Rugby 7’s tournament, a Rugby Victoria ‘Youth Girls Can Tackle Clinic’, the men’s Rebels A curtain raiser against Sydney University at 2:30 PM, before the women lock horns in the main event, kicking off at 4:30 PM.
The Melbourne Rebels Super W side clash with the Fijiana Drua on Saturday March 5 at Endeavour Hills Rugby Club kicking off at 4:30 PM (AEDT). The match can be seen ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sports.
