Fijian Drua primed to push for three-peat as Super Rugby Women’s squads named

The Fijian Drua made history in both of the last two seasons as they joined the NSW Waratahs as the only teams to have ever been crowned Super W champions.

But while their back-to-back triumphs are etched forever in the history books, the Drua are primed to push for a third-consecutive title under new coach Mosese Rauluni.

Rauluni, who captained Fiji to the men’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in 2007, was confirmed as the Dura’s new coach last month and brings a wealth of experience into the role.

“There are key appointments for the management team responsible for the entire annual program for our women’s 15s players,” Fiji Rugby Union Board of Trustee Chairman Peter Mazey said in a statement last month.

“Moses is no stranger to Fiji Rugby or to our players. He has been part of our system for quite some time for both the women’s and men’s national teams and came through the recruitment process with flying colours.

“We were impressed by his vision for the women’s program.”

Ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Women’s season, the Fijian Drua have been joined by the other five clubs in confirming their squads for the 2024 campaign.

The return of Wallaroos Arabella McKenzie, Kaitlan Leaney and Emily Chancellor headline a star-studded Waratahs squad who are chasing their first title in a few years.

Lori Cramer has also joined the Queensland Reds for the 2024 season following a stint in the UK. The Reds, who were beaten in last year’s final, have named a squad that includes New Zealand-born Wallaroos first-five Carys Dallinger.

The Western Force have added some international flair to their roster with Canada hooker Sara Cline, Japan prop Hinata Komaki and Tonga rugby league international Haylee Hifo signing on.

Papua New Guinea’s first professional rugby player, Melanie Kawa, joins former Wallaroos captain Grace Hamilton in returning to the Melbourne Rebels for the 2024 season.

Finally, the Brumbies have named a settled squad with Wallaroos centre Siokapesi Palu leading the way. 19-year-old playmaker Faitala Moleka is also set for another big year in the capital.

The Super Rugby W season will get underway on March 15 when the Western Force hosts the Melbourne Rebels at Perth’s HBF Park.

NSW Waratahs take on the ACT Brumbies at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium the next day, and in the last game of the opening round, the Queensland Reds take on the Fiji Drua at Ballymore.

Super W squads for 2024

ACT BRUMBIES
Katalina Amosa, Ashlea Bishop, Lily Bone, Bonnie Brewer, Biola Dawa, Chioma Enyi, Benita Ese Sale, Ashley Fernandez, Martha Fua, Sally Fuesaina, Jess Grant, Kat Holland, Jasmin Huriwai, Harmony Ioane, Lydia Kavoa, Kyah Little, Kolora Lomani, Loretta Mailangi, Becka Marsters, Anastasia Martin, Erika Maslen, Jemima McCalman, Faitala Moleka, Tania Naden, Siokapesi Palu, Gabrielle Petersen, Kayla Sauvao, Allana Sikimeti, Hannah Stewart, Jaimie Studdy, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Iris Verebalavu, Neomai Vunga (PacificAus Sports Scholarship), Joanne Butler (PacificAus Sports Scholarship).

FIJIAN DRUA
Repeka Aditove, Vani Arei, Luisa Basei, Noelani Baselala, Atelaite Buna, Adita Christine, Jade Tayla Coates, Merewai Cumu, Salanieta Kinita, Anasimeci Korovata, Litiana Lawedrau, Litia Marama, Keleni Marawa, Vika Matarugu, Salanieta Nabuli, Vulori Nabura, Karalaini Naisewa, Mereoni Nakesa, Merewai Nasilasila, Merewairita Neivosa, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Setaita Railumu, Jennifer Ravutia, Tiana Robanakadavu, Merewalesi Rokovono, Iva Sauira, Loraini Seinivutu, Evivi Senikarivi, Asinate Serevi, Nunia Uluikadavu, Mereoni Vonosere, Sulita Waisega.

WESTERN FORCE
Emilya Byrne, Sara Cline, Rosie Ebbage, Zoe Gillard, Haylee Hifo, Sheree Hume, Tamika Jones, Natsuki Kashiwagi, Kendra Fell, Hinata Komaki, Saelua Leaula, Nicole Ledington, Michaela Leonard, Keira MacAskill, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Rosie McGehan, Alapeta Ngauamo, Renae Nona, Hannah Palelei, Trilleen Pomare, Ariana Ruru-Hinaki, Anneka Stephens, Pia Tapsell, Harono Te Iringa, Libya Teepa, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Dallys Tini, Alanis Toia, Numi Tupaea, Braxton Walker, Aiysha Wigley, Samantha Wood, Seneti Kilisimasi (PacificAus Sports Scholarship), Siutiti Ma'ake (PacificAus Sports Scholarship).

QLD REDS
Grace Baker, Jemma Bemrose, Maletina Brown, Lori Cramer, Carys Dallinger, Briana Dascombe, Sarah Dougherty, Alana Elisaia, Aleena Greenhalgh, Haidee Head, Charli Jacoby, Janita Kareta, Ashlee Knight, Carola Kreis, Tiarna Molloy, Doreen Narokete, April Ngatupuna, Liz Patu, Isabelle Robinson, Deni Ross, Shalom Sauaso, Madison Schuck, Cecilia Smith, Theresa Soloai, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Lucy Thorpe, Caitlin Urwin, Dianne Waight, Ava Wereta, Melanie Wilks, Ivania Wong, Natalie Wright.

MELBOURNE REBELS
Tasmin Barber, Laetitia Bobo, Laiema Bosenavulagi, Tyra Boysen-Auimatagi, Lucy Brown, Mia-Rae Clifford, Halley Derera, Georgia Fowler, Grace Freeman, Hayley Glass, Grace Hamilton, Sarah Hogan, Paula Ioane, Melanie Kawa, Chanelle Kohika-Skipper, Ash Marsters, Crystal Mayes, Tiarah Minns, Sydney Niupulusu, Jayme Nuku, Sui Pauaraisa, Teuila Pritchard, Cassie Siataga, Joiwana Sauto, Millicent Scutt, Mary Tuaana, Hollie Twidale, Fapiola Uoifaleahi, Harmony Vatau.

NSW WARATAHS
Katrina Barker, Tatum Bird, Hollie Cameron, Emily Chancellor, Georgia Chapple, Skye Churchill, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Waiaria Ellis, Rosie Ferguson, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Martha Harvey, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Atasi Lafai, Kaitlan Leaney, Arabella McKenzie, Brittany Merlo, Desiree Miller, Layne Morgan, Sera Naiqama, Leilani Nathan, Bridie O'Gorman, Millie Parker, Emily Robinson, Jade Sheridan, Maya Stewart, Adiana Talakai, Siusiuosalafai Volkman, Jacinta Windsor.