Gold Coast sevens talent Faythe Manera has her eyes on a Wallaroos jersey ahead of debut Super W campaign

Rising Gold Coast rugby talent Faythe Manera has set her sights on a Wallaroos jersey ahead of her debut Super Rugby Women’s season.

Bond University girls (from left) Eva Karpani, Faythe Manera and Jemma Bemrose will join with Queensland Reds women's teammates at a Gold Coast training session on Saturday. Photo: Neha Kumar.

Rising Gold Coast rugby talent Faythe Manera has set her sights on a Wallaroos jersey as she prepares for her debut Super Rugby Women’s season.

Manera had spent the past seven years plying her trade in rugby sevens as there had been limited options to pursue the traditional 15s format once she couldn’t play with the boys.

The 21-year-old made her Australian debut in Cape Town in 2022, while she also notched regular appearances for Queensland and Australia A.

This year she is set to make her 15s return with the Queensland Reds, after playing the occasional game with Bond University and Easts over the past few years.

“The transition’s been fairly easy, it’s just getting through a lot of the content. Sevens is a basic game plan really, catch pass, but 15s is a game of chess and not checkers,” Manera said.

“Having that experience at the top-end level (in sevens), it’s a pretty high intensity environment.

“With this Reds program they’re definitely providing that, but it’s much nicer having 14 players either side of you rather than six. It’s good.”

Bond University Bull Sharks playmaker Faythe Manera after representing Australia in rugby sevens. Picture: Supplied.

Manera’s decision to return to 15s was a decision made with an eye to this year’s World Cup, which begins in August.

“I think my main priority is to really give 15s a red hot crack and cement my position,” Manera said.

“I’m really new to the 15s space again but in the long run I’d love to put my hand up for Wallaroos selection considering it’s a World Cup this year.

“I definitely think with the direction Rugby Australia are going to head there’ll be opportunities to play both 15s and 7s, I wouldn’t say no to playing 7s.

“It would be awesome if I could do both and I would love to.”

Manera is one of six Bond University products that have been included in this year’s Reds squad, alongside Zoe Hanna, Ariana Hira, Mel Wilks, Jemma Bemrose, and Eva Karpani.

28-year-old Karpani, who crossed from the Waratahs with 31 Tests and multiple Super W titles under her belt, was a major signing coup for the Reds ahead of this season.

All six Coast products will be in action alongside their Reds teammates this Saturday morning at an open training session in Southport.

The session will run from 8am to 9.30am at the Gold Coast Eagles Rugby Club on Brighton Parade, and players will be available for pictures and autographs after the session.

Originally published as Gold Coast sevens talent Faythe Manera has her eyes on a Wallaroos jersey ahead of debut Super W campaign