Olympic Gold Medalist Amy Turner to headline Queensland Womens side at Brisbane Global Rugby Tens
Australian Women’s Sevens Olympic Gold Medalist Amy Turner will return to Queensland the weekend of the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens, February 11-12, to represent Queensland in a two-match series against NSW as part of the tournament schedule.
“Just to play with all my old friends again will be an awesome feeling. I can’t wait, to be honest. It’s been a while since I have played for Queensland,” Turner said.
Turner, 32, first moved to Queensland from Tokoroa in New Zealand at the age of 20. She tried her hand at the Rugby Union, as well as Rugby League and Touch Football and even represented Queensland in the State of Origin.
While in Brisbane, Turner played for Sunnybank in the local women’s competition and in 2012 represented Queensland in the inaugural National Women’s Sevens Championship. The Queensland side went through the tournament undefeated to claim the title, defeating Sydney 31-nil in the final.
Signing a part-time contract with the Australian Sevens in 2013, Turner juggled her commitments with her job driving trucks in the mines around Mt.Isa in the state’s North-West. She made the move to Sydney’s northern beaches in 2014 after taking up a full-time contract with the Australian Sevens side.
Both states have named teams stacked with sevens and 15s stars for what will be a thrilling clash in the exciting new ten-a-side format. 2016 Wallaroo representatives Kirby Sefo and Ivy Kaleta have also been included in the squad, as well as former Australian Women’s Sevens representative Rachel Crothers.
The inclusion of women’s matches at the event reflects the increasing strength and popularity of the women’s game, Queensland coach Moana Virtue said.
“We are excited and honoured to be included in such an elite international sporting event and being the first of its kind is special as well,” she said.
“Women’s Rugby in Queensland is strong with our women’s Sevens team crowned national champions late last year, we were lucky enough to draw on a few our Sevens players as well as our Australian Wallaroos. This tournament is also a fantastic opportunity to prepare for our National XVs on the Gold Coast in May, so there is plenty for us to play for.
“NSW are a staunch Rugby state and will have a gun side who won’t give an inch, so we’re going to have to be on our game if we want to be competitive. We’re expecting a bruising one – but we wouldn’t want it any other way.”
The success of the Australian Women’s Sevens team in Rio has propelled the women’s game to new heights and the inclusion of women’s matches at Suncorp over February 11 and 12 will help ensure women’s Rugby remains centre stage Turner said.
“The game has grown so much since we have been back [from Rio]. There are so many young girls who are now interested in playing Rugby. We are starting to put pathways in place for little girls which is so exciting to see. We have definitely put the game on the map for all women in sport.
“When I was a young girl there were no pathways as such, so it has come along in leaps and bounds.”
Queensland women play NSW women at 5:30 pm on Saturday, February 11 and at 4:40 pm on Sunday, February 12.
Queensland side to compete at Brisbane Global Rugby Tens:
Forwards: Cheyenne Campbell (Redlands), Liz Patu (Wests), Kirby Sefo (Sunnybank), Kiri Langman (Sunnybank), Toakase Filimohala (Norths), Ivy Kaleta (Sunnybank), Samantha Treherne (Sunnybank), Vetekina Fangaloka (Wests), Vuanimasei Rasolea (GPS)
Backs: Loretta Lealiifano (Logan), Amy Turner (Sunnybank/Warringah), Nareta Marsters (Sunnybank), Lori Cramer (University of Queensland), Rachel Crothers (Queensland Sevens), Charlotte Kennington (Sunnybank)
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