2025 Super Rugby Women’s ready for expansion, Aussies sevens stars, squad lists

Super Rugby women’s expansion plans are on the table as the 2025 competition prepares for an invasion of Sevens superstars hunting Wallaroos spots and players determined to thwart them.

(L-R) Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke of the Western Force, Siokapesi Palu of the ACT Brumbies, Piper Duck of the NSW Waratahs, Bitila Tawake of the Fijian Drua and Ivania Wong of the Queensland Reds pose during the 2025 Super Rugby Women's Season Launch. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The addition of high profile Olympians and Sevens superstars will add a “next level excitement’’ to a Super Rugby Women’s competition it is hoped will be expanded to include teams from New Zealand and potentially Japan and Pasifika by next year.

The likes of Madi and Teagan Levi, Sariah Paki, Charlotte Caslick, Isabella Nasser, Demi Hayes and Tia Hinds will enliven the top rugby 15s competition which kicks off on February 28 and hopefully strengthens and expands the pool of players Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has at her disposal for the World Cup in England later this year.

Waratahs captain Piper Duck, named to captain the Wallaroos before a string of injuries sidelined her from the Australian team, is welcoming rather than worried by the merge of talent she believes will strengthen rugby as a whole.

“They’re incredible athletes and at the end of the day we’re all competitors and this is all professional landscape,” Duck said

“They are not just going to come in and walk into a position, they are going to earn their spot and whoever performs, whoever is the most disciplined, will be on the paddock.

“That’s just rugby, that’s what we play for right. We play to compete.

“I think the more we can bring both sports together and create a unity, it is only going to progress the game.’’

The Queensland Reds have the most Sevens players in their squad in Caslick, Kahli Henwood and the Levi sisters.

The Waratahs have Paki and the Brumbies Bienne Terita, Demi Hayes and Tia Hinds.

Yapp has also welcomed the Sevens star to the 15s world but watered down suggestions of a mass Sevens invasion of the Wallaroos.

Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke of the Western Force, Siokapesi Palu of the ACT Brumbies, Piper Duck of the NSW Waratahs, Bitila Tawake of the Fijian Drua and Ivania Wong of the Queensland Reds pose during the 2025 Super Rugby Women's Season Launch at North Sydney Oval.

Entering its eight season, Super Rugby has only one international outfit in Fijian Drua but Rugby Australia’s Jilly Collins said there are talks about future expansion and the inclusion of teams from across the Tasman, Japan and Penina Pasifika.

“We are working closely with New Zealand and other partners to look at the 2026 edition,’’ she said.

“We certainly have ambitions to extend the seasons, get more quality game time for the Super Rugby players.’’

Piper Duck of the NSW Waratahs (L) and Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke of the Western Force (R) pose during the 2025 Super Rugby Women's Season Launch

The Waratahs and Fijian Drua open the 2025 season on February 28 at Allianz Stadium in a replay of last year’s grand final won by the Tahs 50-14 with Force then hosting the Brumbies on March 1.

Earlier this month Fiji Rugby Union’s director of rugby Laijipa Naulivou was sacked for saying the women’s team had a “gay problem” which had led to the side’s poor performance at the Paris Olympics where Fiji failed to make the medal games after winning bronze in Tokyo.

Fijiana’s Bitila Tawake sidestepped questions about the mood in their campo but Duck said had always been proud of rugby’s “inclusivity’’.

Eva Karpani (L) and Piper Duck (R) look on during an Australian Wallaroos captain's run at Sydney Grammar School in May. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“The reason I love rugby is the inclusivity of sexuality, religion, gender, body type everything. we are an inclusive environment. that's why I love the game, that's what rugby is,’’ Duck said when asked about the Fijian sacking.

“It’s the reason I play it and I’m so grateful I can be somewhere I feel I can be myself and am so welcomed and loved.’’

This year the leading four teams after the five-week regular season will compete in semi-finals before a decider at North Sydney Oval on April 12.

For the first time the winners of Super Rugby W will cross the ditch to take on the Super Rugby Aupiki winners in the inaugural Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final on April 17.

2025 SUPER RUGBY W SQUADS

NSW Waratahs: Adiana Talakai, Amelia Whitaker, Annabelle Codey, Arabella McKenzie, Atasi Lafai, Bridie O’Gorman, Brittany Merlo, Caitlyn Halse, Desiree Miller, Emily Chancellor, Emily Robinson, Faliki Pohiva, Georgia Chapple, Georgina Friedrichs, Jacinta Windsor, Jade Sheridan, JayJay Taylor, Kaitlan Leaney, Katrina Barker, Leilani Nathan, Martha Harvey, Maya Stewart, Millie Parker, Nicole Nathan, Piper Duck, Ruby Anderson, Seneti Kilisimasi, Siusiuoslafi Volkman, Tahlia Morgan, Tatum Bird, Tiarne Cavanagh, Waiaria Ellis. Sevens Player: Sariah Paki

ACT Brumbies: Ana Naimasi, Ashlea Bishop, Ashley Fernandez, Biola Dawa, Bonnie Brewer, Charlie Brigstocke, Chiona Enyi, Easter Savelio, Edwina Munns-Cook, Ella Hopper, Ella Ryan, Gabrielle Peterson, Faitala Moleka, Hannah Stewart, Harmony Ioane, Iroha Kishimoto, Jay Huriwai, Jess Grant, Katalina Amosa, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Kyah Little, Lily Bone, Lydia Kavoa, Manua Moleka, Martha Fua, Merania Paraone, Piper Rankmore, Sally Fuesaina, Siokapesi Palu, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Tania Naden. Sevens Players: Bienne Terita, Demi Hayes, Tia Hinds.

Teenager Caitlyn Halse in action for the Waratahs in Super W last year.

Queensland Reds: Ariana Hira, Bree-Anna Browne, Briana Dascombe, Caitlin Urwin, Carola Kreis, Carys Dallinger, Charli Jacoby, Cristo Taufua, Deni Ross, Dillyn Blackburn, Eva Karpeni, Faythe Manera, Ivania Wong, Jemma Bemrose, Jiowana Sauto, Layne Morgan, Lori Cramer, Maraea Tupai, Melanie Wilks, Michelle Curry, Natalie Wright, Piper Flynn, Renae Nona, Sarah Riordan, Sarah Dougherty, Shalom Sauaso, Sky-Yvette Faimalie, Tiarah Minns, Tiarna Molloy, Vineta Teutau, Zoe Hanna, Zophronia Setu. Sevens Players: Charlotte Caslick, Isabella Nasser, Kahli Henwood, Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi

Western Force: Allana Sikimeti, Adi Vani Buleki, Alapeta Ngauamo, Anneka Stephens, Ashley Marsters, Braxton Walker, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Cecilia Smith, Georgia Cormick, Grace Freeman, Hailey Derera, Hannah Palelei, Haylee Hifo, Hera Barb Malcolm Heke, Libya Teepa, Loretta Mailangi, Megumi Takagi, Michaela Leonard, Mio Yamanaka, Nami Dickson, Ngamihi Monk, Nicole Ledington, Pia Tapsell, Rosie Ebbage, Samantha Trehearne, Samantha Wood, Sera Naiqama, Sheree Hume, Tamika Jones, Taylor Waterson, Trilleen Pomare, Zoe Elliot.

Fijian Drua: Alfreda Fisher, Aloesi Nakoci, Anasimeci Korovata, Asinate Serevi, Bitila Tawake, Carletta Yee, Ema Adivitaloga, Evivi Senikarivi, Isabella Koi, Imeri Nai, Josifini Neihamu, Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Kolora Lomani, Loraini Senivutu, Luisa Tisolo, Mereoni Nakesa, Merevesi Fuga Ofakimalino, Merewairita Naivosa, Noelani Baselala, Nunia Daunimoala, Reijeli Daveua, Repeka Tove, Rusila Nagasau, Salanieta Kinita, Salanieta Nabuli, Setaita Railumu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Vika Matarugu, Vitalina Naikore.

Originally published as 2025 Super Rugby Women’s ready for expansion, Aussies sevens stars, squad lists