Queensland Reds name unchanged side to face Drua in Super Rugby Women's semi-final

The Queensland Reds will carry the momentum of a historic win over the NSW Waratahs into a Super Rugby Women’s semi-final against the Fijian Drua at Churchill Park in Lautoka, naming an unchanged starting side with Wests hooker Mary Tuaana the only addition to the matchday 23 off the bench.

Queensland’s victory over the Waratahs in the final round of the regular season was the franchise’s first against their fierce rivals, and fly-half Lori Cramer believes the result has transformed the squad’s mindset heading into the knockout stage.

“A lot of what we have spoken about is the internal game, the mindset. That win really proves it’s all kind of mental in a way,” Cramer said. “It’s not like we had any magic training or anything. We didn’t get 100 times better in the week leading up to that game. It’s just how you prepare, how we turn up and put bodies on the line for each other and the jersey. So, yes, we got a lot of belief from that result in Sydney for what we face in Lautoka.”

Cramer is among the Reds players who were on the field when Queensland upset the Drua 22-19 in Lautoka to open the 2025 season — a result that gives the visitors a measure of confidence despite facing a side that finished first on the ladder and is hosting a home semi-final for the first time.

“We’re expecting a lot of noise and energy from the crowd. That’s obvious. It’s Fiji but it is also a historic day with the Drua women hosting a home semi-final for the first time,” Cramer added. “There’s the crowd, the way the Drua do catch fire and things like frogs jumping around on the field before the game last year.”

Jemma Bemrose captains the side from No. 5 lock alongside Bond University’s Lucy Thorpe, with Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani packing down next to Zophronia Setu and Hayley Glass in the front row. Zoe Hanna starts at blindside flanker, Dillyn Blackburn at openside, and Tiarna Molloy at No. 8, with Black Fern Tanya Kalounivale among the forward replacements.

In the backs, Cramer and scrum-half Sarah Dougherty continue their half-back partnership after impressing against the Waratahs, with Ava Wereta and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea in the centres. Piper Flynn and Charli Brigstocke start on the wings, with Harmoney Vatau at fullback.