QUEENSLAND women's coach Michael Hayes, a former Shoals captain/coach, has made a pair of minor changes to his starting XV, as they prepare for their first game at the spiritual home of Queensland rugby.
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Sarah Riordan will start at inside centre as Hayes manages the workload of Nareta Masters, while Wynona Baice will get her first start of the year at tighthead prop.
They're changes were more about keeping the squad fresh than anything else, according to Hayes, who forecast another up tempo match against Melbourne on Sunday.
"They're more strategic in relation to giving the players some rest," Hayes said.
"Because we have a really good squad and they train really well together and against each other, what we are trying to do is just slot some players in here to get them some more game time.
"Each game to us is now a grand final so we just want to get them more game time and get their match fitness up to scratch."
Ballymore will host Queensland's clash with Melbourne and Hayes said the importance of the ground will not be lost on his side, as they strive to string a second consecutive win together.
"I played my first game in under 18s when I captained NSW in 1981 and to me, coming up to Ballymore, I knew it as the home of Australian rugby, at that stage," Hayes said.
"It was such a thrill.
"I still think this is the home of Australian rugby, to be honest, and I won't let that be lost on the girls.
"They love Ballymore, we train here, it's our home and it's the sacred home of Queensland rugby."
Queensland's star fullback Samantha Treherne expressed similar feelings prior to her first match on the hallowed turf.
"First time at Ballymore, which is pretty exciting," she said.
"I've always played at Suncorp but for some reason I'm more nervous about playing at Ballymore than Suncorp.
"This is where we train, this is where we put all our hard yards in - it's a good feeling to be at Ballymore and it's going to be pretty special.
Queensland women's team to face Melbourne: 1. Toa Filimoehala, 2. Cheyenne Campbell, 3. Wynona Baice,4. Kiri Lingman, Kirby Sefo ©, 6. Ivy Kaleta, 7. Lucy Lockhart, 8. Alexandra Hargreaves, 9. Asako Ono, 10. Lavinia Gould, 11. Ivania Wong, 12. Sarah Riordan, 13. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, 14. Lori Cramer, 15. Sammie Treherne, 16. Bre-Anna Cheatham, 17. Vuanimasei Rasolea, 18. Jasmine Kemp, 19. Shannon Mato, 20. Ashlee Knight, 21. Ana Afuie, 22. Nareta Marsters and 23. Alana Elisaia.
