The smile is back on Bree-Anna Browne’s face as a semi-final awaits for the Queensland Reds at Ballymore Stadium on Sunday to show that all her comeback toil has been worthwhile.
Browne’s progress at prop over the past six weeks has been one of the unsung stories within the Reds’ ranks as they prepare for this knockout match against Fijian Drua in SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s.
The Reds today named their side with the return of co-captain Jemma Bemrose to the starting backrow after a minor leg muscle strain. Her workrate as a defender (48 tackles) is only topped at the Reds by lock Tiarah Minns (69) this season.
Zoe Hanna reverts to an impact role from the bench after her VPA Players’ Player of the Match gong against the Western Force last weekend.
For Wallaroo Browne, the 47-10 win over the Force was vindication of how far she has come and the motivating ambitions that still lie ahead. There was physicality to her play, authority at scrum time, punch to her ball-carries and she pushed out to an hour on the park.
“After 14 months out following ACL surgery, it’s really exciting to feel you have come back this far to play in a semi-final with these girls,” Browne said.
“No matter how things are going on the field, we stretch each other and encourage to keep fighting. The support for each other, the spirit, the mood… it’s really positive.
“I feel the team is improving every week.”
Browne watched the whole of the 2024 season while in rehab which confirmed to her she is not the best of spectators.
“It’s definitely difficult watching from the sidelines. It’s far better being able to have an influence on a game yourself and help set that good platform up front,” she said.
Browne is taking one step at a time.
“I’m happy with the way I’m progressing. If I get picked up for the Pacific Four series (with the Wallaroos) I’ll get better and better. That’s for later. Sunday is all I’m thinking about,” Browne said.
The Drua scrum dominated when the sides met in Lautoka early last month but it was the Queenslanders who produced a superb 22-19 win against the odds.
Sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick didn’t play in that game so she becomes an extra ace at fullback.
Her short ball to put Hanna over for a try against the Force was class because Caslick so instinctively took on the line and timed the pass to perfection.
Up front is where it all starts on Sunday.
“We know the Drua have the scrum to watch this season so it’s up to us to make sure it’s not a strong suit,” Browne said.
Reds head coach Andrew Fraser saluted Browne’s determination.
“Bree-Anna has come back from a very serious injury. It’s great to have her back and smiling. A weight seems to have lifted and you can see the enjoyment she’s getting from the game again,” Fraser said.
“Jemma is back for us. We also know what Zoe can bring off the bench because that was a statement performance from her against the Force.”
Plenty of urgent defence and technical skills at the breakdown will need to be backed up by clinically taking try chances against the Fijians. The semi-final promises to be a wonderful showcase of women’s rugby.
Reserved grandstand tickets at just $10 (adults) and $5 (Juniors 6-17 Years) are on sale online. General admission at $5 (adults) and free (Juniors) are also available. Gate pricing is $5 extra per ticket.
QUEENSLAND REDS vs FIJIAN DRUA
Semi-final - SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s
Sunday, April 6
1:05pm (AEST)
Ballymore Stadium
Live on Stan Sport
QUEENSLAND REDS
1 Bree-Anna Browne
2 Tiarna Molloy
3 Eva Karpani
4 Tiarah Minns
5 Veneta Teutau
6 Jemma Bemrose (cc)
7 Carola Kreis
8 Sarah Riordan
9 Layne Morgan
10 Lori Cramer
11 Ivania Wong (cc)
12 Shalom Sauaso
13 Faythe Manera
14 Caitlin Urwin
15 Charlotte Caslick
Reserves:
16 Zophronia Setu
17 Cristo Taufua
18 Charli Jacoby
19 Deni Ross
20 Zoe Hanna
21 Nat Wright
22 Carys Dallinger
23 Piper Flynn
