Fijian Drua Women make one change as they host Reds in Super Rugby Women's semi-final

Fijian Drua Women have made just one change to their starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby Women’s semi-final against the Queensland Reds at Lautoka’s Churchill Park, with head coach Mike Legge promoting Litiana Vueti to full-back. Michella’e Stolz drops out of the matchday 23 entirely.

The selection reflects the confidence Legge’s side have built heading into the knockout stage. At the end of June, the Drua dismantled the Reds 50-17 at Ballymore Stadium to claim top spot in the overall standings and secure only a second-ever home semi-final for the two-time champions.

Fly-half Varanisese Qoro was central to that victory, kicking six of seven conversions, adding a try and a penalty goal. The 21-year-old will again partner captain Kolora Lomani at half-back. “I put everything before God ahead of this home semi-final because I know we will have great support on Saturday,” Qoro said. “I want to make our supporters proud. There are still areas we need to improve so we can build stronger connections in both attack and defence.”

In the pack, teenage lock Carletta Yee retains her starting place after leading the team with 15 tackles in the earlier meeting with the Reds in Queensland.

The visitors arrive in similarly settled shape. Andrew Fraser’s Reds made no changes from their last outing, a 26-19 regular-season win over the NSW Waratahs that featured a penalty try and scores from Eva Karpani, Zoe Hanna and Lucy Thorpe.

The winner of Saturday’s semi-final will face either the Western Force or the Waratahs in the final.