ACT Brumbies women’s coach Adam Butt has selected his first side as the team, featuring Bomaderry's Harriet Elleman prepares for their opening Super W match of the season this weekend - the visit of premiers New South Wales to GIO Stadium.
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The Brumbies women are in action for the first time in 2019 as part of a double-header ahead of the Plus500 Brumbies versus Chiefs Super Rugby match and will be led by skipper Shellie Milward.
Milward is joined in the starting XV forward pack by fellow Wallaroos Louise Burrows at hooker, the veteran starting her 23rd season with the ACT side, and backrower Georgia O’Neill.
Burrows will be joined by Anna Korovata and Peta Cox in the front-row, the latter having the honour of scoring the Brumbies women’s first ever Super W try at the GIO venue last season.
Michaela Leonard, the Brumbies Women’s Super W Newcomer of the Year in 2018, is at flanker with Emily Sogal (lock) and Tayla Stanford (number eight) completing a strong and robust pack.
Jane Garraway and Carly Hill are Butt’s preferred halfback selection for round one with Sammie Wood coming into the team at inside centre, having played most of last season at full-back. She will be partnered by Michelle Perry in what looks a solid midfield combination.
Out wide there is plenty of pace in the shape of newcomer Brooke Gilroy and Ngawai Eyles, the partner of Brumbies’ Wharenui Hawera, and a former Canberra Giants netball star.
Rachel Crothers, who was contracted in the Australian 7s team in 2014 and 2015 before heading overseas, completes the starters by slotting into the fullback position for the season opener.
There’s plenty of quality on the bench for Butt to choose from with Wallaroo Violeta Tupuola included among a mix of youth and experience, including former Nowra High School student Elleman, as the Brumbies aim to shook NSW on the opening weekend.
Brumbies squad:
(1-15): 1. Anna Koravata, 2. Louise Burrows, 3. Peta Cox, 4. Emily Sogal, 5. Shellie Milward, 6. Michaela Leonard, 7. Georgia O'Neill, 8. Tayla Stanford, 9. Jane Garraway, 10. Carly Hill, 11. Brooke Gilroy, 12. Sammie Wood, 13. Michelle Perry, 14. Ngawai Eyles, 15. Rachael Crothers.
Reserves:16. Harriet Elleman, 17. Stefanie Stewart-Jones, 18. Violeta Tupuola, 19. Grace Kemp, 20. Sharyn Laws, 21. Irene Macarthur, 22. Remi Wilton, 23. Claudia Obst.
