CQ Bushrangers U18 girls set to star at Qld Country Rugby Championships

Coach Trevor Robertson is excited to see how the CQ Bushrangers under-18 girls fare against the state’s best at this week’s tournament. We name the players who hold the keys to the team’s chances.

Gun trio Imogen Grey, Evan Sullivan and Kendra Shields will lead the way for the CQ Bushrangers under-18 girls at the Queensland Country Rugby Championships.

Experienced players in key positions will be a defining factor for the CQ Bushrangers under-18 girls at this week’s Queensland Country Rugby Championships.

The Central Queensland rep team will be one of four contesting the age group at the carnival, to be played in Townsville from Friday to Sunday.

The CQ Bushrangers will also field a highly fancied women’s team, as well as a men’s and Colts teams in the senior competition, and under-14 and under-16 girls and under-13, under-14 and under-16 boys in the junior competition, which starts next Monday.

CQ Bushrangers under-18 girls’ coach Trevor Robertson.

Under-18 girls coach Trevor Robertson is excited to see how his quality outfit performs.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in the girls, there’s a lot of talent in the group,” he said.

“They’ll give a good account of themselves.

“If they can get the basic things right, then I think they’ll do really well.”

This is the second year the under-18 division has been played. Previously, girls had to make the jump from under-16 to open women.

Star forward Kendra Shields.

Robertson said the additional age group was much better for player development, and a more suitable stepping stone to the senior ranks.

The Bushrangers boast a strong core group, headed by Airlie Beach powerhouse Kendra Shields.

Robertson said she would lead the pack, her strength and mobility sure to get the Bushrangers some good front-foot ball.

Halfback Evan Sullivan would be dangerous if given space around the breakdown, while fly-half Imogen Grey would use her speed and agility to capitalise on any opportunity.

Exciting halfback Evan Sullivan.

Robertson said Willow Childs and Ruby Rossiter would also have big roles to play.

“We’ve got a really good backline and our forward pack is quite powerful,” he said.

“We’ll try to be pretty direct in our forwards and use that to give our speedy backline some space.”

Robertson said some of his players would have benefited from playing at last year’s country championships and be better equipped with another season of competition under their belts.

Fly-half Imogen Grey will be one to watch.

“This year, we’ve got some really experienced players in key positions,” he said.

“South Queensland are always pretty strong and North Queensland are at home so they’re sure to be tough.

“This is the first time Brisbane is putting a team in and they’ll be really strong because some of their girls are playing in the premier women’s comp down there.

“It’ll be really competitive but we’ll see how we go.”

CQ Bushrangers under-18 girls squad

Amarni Peters (Rugby Capricornia), Ashlynn Self (Central Highlands), Elysia Kynuna-Yeatman (Mackay District), Evan Sullivan (Rugby Capricornia), Faerlie Bailey (Rugby Capricornia), Hannah Miller (Rugby Capricornia), Hula Day (Mackay District), Imogen Grey (Central Highlands), Isabella DeBrincat (Mackay District), Kendra Shields (Mackay District), Le-Zanda Domic-Tilberoo (Rugby Capricornia), Lily Sainsbury (Mackay District), Logan Miller (Mackay District), Matilda Rowe (Mackay District), Paikea Tane (Rugby Capricornia), Riverlee Peri (Rugby Capricornia), Ruby Rossiter (Wide Bay), Theresa-Geila Malayta (Mackay District), Willow Childs (Rugby Capricornia).