Gympie product Dillyn Blackburn is amongst a host of fresh faces in the Queensland Reds women’s squad assembled to face New Zealand Universities.
The off-season clash for the Reds Development XV at Ballymore Stadium at 3pm on Saturday, October 12 has arrived with ideal timing.
Auditions against the NZ Unis side will count.
New Reds women’s head coach Andrew Fraser has cast the net wide with his 29-strong training squad before revising the squad when Queensland’s Wallaroos return from the WXV2 tournament in South Africa and several players rejoin from the Next Gen Sevens program.
Flanker Blackburn, 21, was one of the most impressive performers during the finals series of the StoreLocal Women’s Premiership.
She has excellent leg drive, a big motor, lineout skills, a zeal for strong-running charges and the leadership she showed as Wests captain.
Blackburn said she is excited to test herself in the squad after progressing from the Gympie Hammers, Noosa Dolphins and Queensland Country before landing in Brisbane.
“Seeing some of the names, they definitely deserve to be in this Reds squad. It means people have been watching this season and you are going to be recognised if you put in the effort,” Blackburn said.
Blackburn is a great example that you can get a start anywhere in rugby but the most important thing is to jump in and make that start.
“I played ‘12s’ rugby at high school in Gympie. That’s where my rugby started after watching dad and my brother play,” Blackburn said.
“I was definitely more into gymnastics when I was younger. I feel that strength has really helped me in rugby.”
Evergreen World Cup Wallaroo Liz Patu have been included in the squad as have regulars Deni Ross and Ivania Wong.
Lock Ross is back to fitness after breaking her leg in April while winger Wong is still in the early stages of rehabilitation from a serious ankle injury in July.
There are new faces aplenty including halfback Tyler Birch, who has been rewarded for strong showings with premiers Bond University.
Another interesting inclusion is former Wallaroo Sarah Riordan, who still has the passion to play at 32 and is returning to Brisbane for an Australian Defence Force posting.
Damon Virtue will be head coach of the Reds Development XV with Averyl Mitchell and Moana Virtue as assistant coaches.
REDS TRAINING SQUAD
Ane-Lisa VitoSula | University of Queensland
Ariana Hira | Bond University
Chanelle Kohika-Skipper | University of Queensland
Crystal Mayes | Brothers
Deni Ross | Wests Bulldogs
Dianne Waight | Bond University
Dillyn Blackburn | Wests Bulldogs
Emily Eglen | Norths Eagles
Grace Sullivan | Wests Bulldogs
Haidee Head | Easts Tigers
Ivania Wong | Sunnybank
Janita Kareta | Sunnybank
Jazlyn Leota | Brothers
Kalisi Longopoa | Sunnybank
Liz Patu | Wests Bulldogs
Lucy Thorpe | Bond University
Mabel Johnston | Brothers
Maraea Tupai | Wests Bulldogs
Merina Latu | Norths Eagles
Michelle Curry | Wests Bulldogs
Nena Williamson | University of Queensland
Sarah Dougherty | GPS
Sarah Riordan | ADF
Skye Faimalie | Sunnybank
Tess Littleton | University of Queensland
Theresa Soloai | Easts Tigers
Tyler Birch | Bond University
Zara Colless | Brothers
Zephronia Setu | University of Queensland
