CQ Capras women’s trial day next step in deciding 25-member squad

Aspiring players will be put through their paces at a trial day in Rockhampton this weekend.

CQ Capras women’s coach Amanda Ohl will put 27 aspiring players through their paces on Saturday.

A major step in the formation of the CQ Capras women’s squad for season 2022 will be taken this weekend.

Coach Amanda Ohl will oversee a trial day at Rockhampton’s Kettle Park on Saturday.

Twenty-seven players have registered but they do not include more than 10 who have already been contracted for next year.

Among those are three of this year’s award winners - centres Jess Powell (Best Back) and Emma Paki (Rookie of the Year) and hooker Mackenzie Reid (Player of the Year).

Pani Rupapere will join the CQ Capras women for the 2022 BHP Premiership season. Picture SCOTT DAVIS/QRL

Ohl said a key new signing was former Central Queensland product Pani Rupapere, who played with the North Queensland Gold Stars in the BHP Premiership this year.

“She played at lock for the Gold Stars and was in my opinion and in many others’ opinion, one of their best,” she said.

“We offered her the chance to play in the halves for us and she’s definitely excited for that opportunity.”

Ohl has a big assignment to replace inspirational skipper and Australian and Origin rep Chelsea Baker, who announced her retirement at the end of the 2021 season.

“Chelsea is one of a kind, and she leaves a very big hole to fill both football-wise and leadership-wise,” she said.

“It’s a relief to have that core group returning because it means we’re not having to start from scratch.

Centre Jess Powell, who was among the CQ Capras women’s best this year, will return for season 2022. Photo: Brendan Kirkman

“We’ve established a great foundation in the first couple of years and we’re looking to keep building on that.”

Ohl said players at Saturday’s trial would undergo strength, speed and fitness testing, before going into game simulated drills and skills.

“Out of this, we’ll send invites to players we believe potentially could make the squad to join our first camp on December 4 and 5,” she said.

“Twenty-five is our number; that’s the number of contracts we can submit to the QRL but we can take train and trials, we can have development girls and girls just wanting to train with us to upskill.

“We’re a development side and we’re here to develop women’s rugby league, that’s our focus.”

Originally published as CQ Capras women’s trial day next step in deciding 25-member squad