Queensland Reds captain Shannon Parry is bracing for some ”Harlem Globetrotters” rugby from the Fijiana Drua in Saturday’s Super W grand final in Townsville.
The Reds are chasing their first ever Super W title after losing all three previous deciders against the NSW Waratahs.
The Waratahs were stunned by the Drua in last weekend’s semi-final, with the defending champions storming back from a 17-0 deficit to win 20-17 in Sydney.
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Drua bench erupts after crucial try
The Reds also survived a cliffhanger as Carys Dallinger kicked the match-winning penalty with 90 seconds left in a 23-20 victory over the ACT Brumbies.
Queensland was far too good for the Drua in the regular season, winning 45-22, but Parry was expecting a completely different beast in North Queensland.
“I think you can take a little bit of confidence from that,” Parry told Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
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“But it’s the final dance now and anything can happen, what’s happened the weeks prior doesn’t really matter now… we know when the footy comes crunch time that they’re definitely going to be up there, Harlem Globetrotters styles, you know, sevens on a XVs field. So we’ll be ready.”
The Reds named an unchanged 23 for the match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Queensland has been boosted by Kiwi imports Dallinger, Diane Hiini and Cristo Tofa, with the former storming into Wallaroos calculations by virtue of her Australian father.
Parry won a sevens gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games but said a Super W title would still feature strongly on a list of career highlights.
“It’d be massive,” the openside flanker said.
“Obviously, any opportunity you get to play for your state is something special and all Queenslanders want to do is play footy and have fun and to do it up there in Townsville will be something special. The first time it’s ever going to be held there.
“And the first time the Queensland Reds have been in the Super W final. So there’s a lot of moments and historical bits here for the Queensland Reds this week.
“But for me playing in the Queensland jersey is always something special and something that I’ll treasure.”
Parry had taken plenty of lessons from a fierce semi-final at Concord Oval.
“Obviously a little bit battered and bruised after last week against the Brumbies,” she said.
“It was a really tight battle there obviously, coming away with only a three-point win, but the Brumbies really challenged us from the get-go and for us, it was really pleasing to get that result and make our way to the final dance this week.
“I think the best thing for us was just staying in the fight for the whole 80 minutes. The Brumbies bring a very physical pack and there’s no doubt that Fijiana will bring the same thing this week.
“So for us it’s looking to match it with them up front and then sort of unleashing our weapons out wide to do what they do best, to score those tries.”
REDS (1-15): Bree-Anna Cheatham, Tiarna Molloy, Cristo Tofa, Deni Ross, Annabelle Codey, Carola Kreis, Shannon Parry (c), Haidee Head, Diane Hiini, Carys Dallinger, Ivania Wong, Cecilia Smith, Alana Elisaia, Helena Young, Renae Nona,
Reserves: Madi Schuck, Tazmin Sheppard, Theresa Soloai, Tina Campbell, Hana Lane, Sarah Lewis, Ellie Draper, Sam Curtis
DRUA (1-15): Bitila Tawake (c), Keleni Marawa, Siteri Rasolea, Mereoni Nakesa, Asinate Serevi, Karalaini Naisewa, Sulita Waisega, Serima Leweniqila, Evivi Senikarivi, Jeniffer Ravutia, Kolora Lomani, Merwai Cumu, Vani Va’aga, Adita Christine Milinia, Luisa Tisolo
Reserves: Joma Rubuti, Anna Korovata, Jade Coates, Doreen Narokete, Adi Fulori Nabura, Setaita Railumu, Wainikiti Vosadruau, Laisani Moceisawana
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