When Tess Littleton visited 16 countries last year on a footy-playing overseas trip, she never imagined needing her passport for a Queensland Reds debut.
Winger-fullback Littleton is in line to make her debut off the bench in Tonga on Friday when the Reds women’s team play their first-ever game abroad.
Wallaroos fullback Lori Cramer and flanker Carola Kreis will act as co-captains for the historic tour.
Littleton’s pace and form as a finisher for University of Queensland have earned her a spot as one of eight potential debutants for the Reds.
Lock Tiarah Minns, an experienced lock from the Melbourne Rebels, backrowers Maggie McConnachie and Zoe Hanna plus centre Ariana Hira are new faces in the starting side.
Littleton, hooker Roni Setu, young Sunshine Coast backrower Bliss Wilkins and halfback Wynonah Conway can all debut from the bench.
“It’s an amazing opportunity with the Reds. I’ve only really made the move from halfback this season and I’ve enjoyed the extra chances to attack in the outside backs,” Littleton, 24, said.
“It shows what’s possible when you are enjoying your rugby.”
The Toowoomba-raised player rejoined UQ this season after mixing last year’s overseas holiday with stints for the London Broncos in rugby league and Hammersmith and Fulham Rugby Club.
“Rugby has always been No.1 for me. I first played for UQ when I was studying a few years ago and a job in Brisbane has brought me back,” she said.
Facing Tonga’s national side will be a significant hurdle as the first overseas match in the 28-year history of women’s rugby for the Reds.
Having Wallaroos Cramer, Eva Karpani, Madi Schuck, Tiarna Molloy, Nat Wright, Carys Dallinger, Ivania Wong and Mel Wilks in the starting side is a helpful slice of experience for such a challenge.
Australia’s PacificAus Sports program supports the Tonga tour.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby union. Funding is split evenly between women and men.
1. Madison Schuck – Bond University
2. Tiarna Molloy – Easts
3. Eva Karpani – Bond University
4. Tiarah Minns* – Manly, Sydney
5. Lucy Thorpe – Bond University
6. Maggie McConnachie* – Brothers
7. Carola Kreis (cc) - Easts
8. Zoe Hanna* – Bond University
9. Nat Wright – University of Queensland
10. Carys Dallinger - Easts
11. Ivania Wong – Sunnybank
12. Ariana Hira* – Bond University
13. Mel Wilks – Bond University
14. Caitlin Urwin – University of Queensland
15. Lori Cramer (cc) – University of Queensland
16. Roni Setu** – University of Queensland
17. Alapeta Ngauamo - Wests
18. Charli Jacoby – Bond University
19. Bliss Wilkins** – Brothers Sunshine Coast
20. April Ngatupuna – Easts
21. Wynonah Conway** – Brothers
22. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala – Sunnybank
23. Tess Littleton** – University of Queensland
Reds debut
** Potential Reds debut
Reds debut
** Potential Reds debut
