The Queensland Reds will harness an exciting backrow as a feature of their youthful and aspiring squad for the Swyftx Super Rugby season.
The Reds have today announced 26 players for their 2026 squad with further key names to be added in coming weeks.
The full-time switch of former Wallaroos hooker Tiarna Molloy to No.8 has created a proven new ball-runner for the backrow from within the squad.
She will add presence beside the Reds’ newest Wallaroo in the pack. Dillyn Blackburn, recently capped against the USA, will bring all she has learnt to the Queensland effort.
The new May-June slot for the season is working in favour of two further backrow aces.
Flanker Zoe Hanna made a promising return from shoulder surgery for Bond University last weekend while 2025 co-captain Jemma Bemrose will be ready for pre-season trials after a Lisfranc injury to the mid-foot.
Making sure there is power, intent and depth in the pack has been a key off-season focus for Reds Head Coach Andrew Fraser and Reds Women’s High Performance Manager Nico Andrade.
The Reds made major progress in 2025 with a strong surge to the grand final after finishing last 12 months earlier.
Wallaroo Tiarah Minns, power-running Vineta Teutau, Deni Ross, Bond Uni’s English trump Lucy Thorpe are part of a strong group of locks.
Up front, the recruitment of Australian Defence Force duo Jordan Neal and Ella Hopper adds depth to the front-row.
Former Wallaroo Sarah Dougherty. Bond Uni livewire Evie Sampson and former French international Margaux Duces offer a variety of skills at halfback.
Experienced Lori Cramer is returning from a playing stint in Hong Kong and her versatility at fullback and flyhalf will be utilised.
Akira Kelly, the former Ipswich Jets rugby league back, is an exciting project player while 18-year-old flyhalf Charity Wightman-Beaven is a fresh face to develop as a backline utility.
On the edges, the likes of Piper Flynn and 2025 World Cup winger Caitlin Urwin offer finishing polish.
The loss of Layne Morgan, Carys Dallinger, Shalom Sauaso, Faythe Manera, Nat Wright and Ivania Wong from the stock of backs means a changing of the guard.
Forwards Carola Kreis, the 2024 Shannon Parry Medal-winner, Charli Jacoby and Cristo Taufua have also moved on.
There are also farewells for Ariana Hira, Jiowana Sauto, Maraea Tupai, Melanie Wilks, Michelle Curry, Renae Nona and Sky-Yvette Faimalie.
“As with any season, there has been a pretty big turnover of names. What I do like is that we have done well to identify local talent and got some real plusses out of integration with the Next Gen 7s program,” Fraser said.
"Bond University is a powerhouse in women's rugby and there are a number of women who come to the Reds with that strong mentality.
“We have signed five forwards with ADF backgrounds (Neal, Hopper, Ross, Sarah Riordan and Bree-Anna Browne). All five have unique skills but collectively they bring something extra with the standards for our program, the camaraderie, the discipline and selflessness.
“Our two newest Wallaroos, Dillyn and (centre) Ava Wereta, will be strong for us in key positions and there are conversations ongoing around adding players from the Australian sevens program.
“These players hold no fears. I know that. As coaches, it’s about unleashing them at their potential.
“One of the strong aspects of 2025 was the team being united and having a sense of harmony and enjoyment through the season. We want to keep that and push our rugby playing abilities further.”
The Reds wish the best for departing assistant coaches Simon Craig and Damon Virtue as well as team manager Tania Hala.
Fraser will harness former Wallaroo Shannon Parry, Eddie Aholelei and David Miles as his assistant coaches this season with Jo Staples coming on board as team manager.
Akira Kelly | Bond University
Aroha Spillane | University of Queensland
Ava Wereta | Bond University
Bree-Anna Browne | Brothers
Caitlin Urwin | University of Queensland
Charity Wightman-Beaven | University of Queensland
Deni Ross | Brothers
Dillyn Blackburn | Wests
Ella Hopper | Brothers
Evie Sampson | Bond University
Hayley Glass | University of Queensland
Jemma Bemrose | Bond University
Jordan Neal | Brothers
Kaelyn Passi | Bond University
Lori Cramer | University of Queensland
Lucy Thorpe | Bond University
Margaux Duces | GPS
Matauimalo Malele Lafeta | University of Queensland
Piper Flynn | Easts
Sarah Riordan | Brothers
Sarah Dougherty | GPS
Tiarah Minns | University of Queensland
Tiarna Molloy | Brothers
Vineta Teutau | Brothers
Zoe Hanna | Bond University
Zophronia Setu | Sunnybank
