Queensland Reds welcome Temara back for showdown with NSW

ZAHARA Temara is happy to juggle union and league because both codes speak the same language — beat NSW. The Queensland Reds will field their strongest team in Friday’s SuperW final in Sydney.

Zahara Temara. Photo: Getty Images

• Beefed-up Waratahs shake up pack for ‘true test’
• Reds boosted by return of Thor
• Sevens stars sidelined post Games

DUAL-code ace Zahara Temara is happy to juggle rugby union with rugby league because both codes speak the same language — beat NSW.

The Queensland Reds women’s team will field their strongest line-up in Friday’s SuperW final in Sydney now Temara, 20, is slotting into the starting role at flyhalf.

Riding a delicate tightrope between codes put her rugby ambitions on the backburner in March when the talented Temara was focused on being named in the elite 40-strong squad for the NRL’s inaugural women’s competition.

Zahara Temara attempts to break away from the Brumbies defence at 2018 Global Tens. Photo: Getty Images

With that selection duly ticked, the skilful Rotorua-born playmaker has skipped back to rugby for the 4.45pm final against the favoured NSW team at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Friday.

Coach Michael Hayes always wanted to retain the skills of regular No. 10 Lavinia Gould, who has been shifted to flanker, adding extra ball-handling touches to the mix.

Temara was a sharp utility in the 2017 Jillaroos squad that won the Women’s Rugby League World Cup and was a key figure when the Reds beat NSW in the women’s final of the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens in February.

“We’re fortunate to welcome Zahara into the side to offer us a point of difference in our attack while Lavinia has plenty of experience on the side of the scrum prior to her time in the Super W,” Hayes said.

“For such a short competition, a lot of work has gone in to get the team to this point where they have the opportunity to be part of history in the inaugural Super W final.

“After going down to NSW (18-0) in Round One, the team has developed, on and off the field, and I know the group are hungry for another crack.”

Zahara Temara at the Rugby League Commonwealth Championships in February. Photo: AAP

Hayes has opted for a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench.

Front-rowers Toa Filimoehala, Hana Ngaha and Vuanimasei Rasolea have been named, while Shannon Mato, Ashlee Knight and Lucy Lockhart will provide cover for the locks and backrow.

Halfback Ana Afuie and centre Sarah Riordan are the two reserve backs.

The SuperW final kicks off at 4.45pm Friday with the action broadcast live on Fox Sports 503.

Queensland: Liz Patu, Cheyenne Campbell, Wynona Baice, Kiri Lingman, Jasmin Kemp, Kirby Sefo (c), Lavinia Gould, Alexandra Hargreaves, Asako Ono, Zahara Temara, Ivania Wong, Nareta Marsters, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Lori Cramer, Samantha Treherne. Reserves: Toa Filimoehala, Hana Ngaha, Vuanimasei Rasolea, Shannon Mato, Ashlee Knight, Lucy Lockhart, Ana Afuie, Sarah Riordan

Originally published as Queensland Reds welcome Temara back for showdown with NSW