Samoa one day, Narrabri the next. Reese Orcher is discovering just how far sevens can take her with this week\u2019s Santos Festival of Rugby.<\/p>\n
Last weekend, she was immersed in Samoan culture when a member of Australia\u2019s First Nations team, \u201cThe Lloydies\u201d, at the Teuila International Sevens.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s heading to Narrabri in country NSW this weekend as the new captain of the Queensland Reds Sevens team for four games against NSW on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n
The variety of rugby on offer plus the convivial atmosphere will keep the Santos Festival of Rugby humming along at Dangar Park.<\/p>\n
The Reds\u2019 men, Under-19s and women also have matches against the Waratahs on a full menu which also includes a Classic Wallabies match against the Narrabri Blue Boars Over-35s and an interstate U18s match for the Queensland Country girls.<\/p>\n
Orcher has made strong progress and being picked to lead at just 17 means something when the appointment has come from coach Shannon Parry, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist.<\/p>\n
\u201cReese is definitely a leader. She\u2019s mature with a real level head and that will be important for a young squad in Narrabri,\u201d Parry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll use her as a ball-carrier and creator in that first receiver role.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parry is hoping to build off last weekend\u2019s trophy-success in the Next Gen 7s finals at Ballymore Stadium.<\/p>\n
Although only Charli Nikola, Maddi Pomerenke and Tahli Devine will back up in Narrabri, the winning day radiated something bigger.<\/p>\n
Many of this weekend\u2019s younger girls played in the Reds Academy match that day and watched from the grandstand when Aussie Sevens stars Faith Nathan, Amahli Hala and Teagan Levi were excelling for Queensland.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was massive to have our girls play with or watch from close range the good habits of the best players,\u201d Parry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo see that with your own eyes was really special because there were some really good decisions made on the field and some superb play.\u201d<\/p>\n
The team for Narrabri includes young Keebra Park State High student Matilda Vial, a pacy, free-flowing finisher with a track background.<\/p>\n
Matilda Richards (Townsville) and Amy Lorenz (Roma) also have country backgrounds.<\/p>\n
Headgeared TJ Murray was a standout in the centres for Bond University at 15-a-side in their run to the StoreLocal Founders Cup.<\/p>\n
Peyton Lefau-Fakeosilea has the right DNA as the younger sister of Australian Sevens star Alysia.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving these games in Narrabri is a real plus to keep developing our sevens program,\u201d Parry said.<\/p>\n
QUEENSLAND REDS 7s<\/p>\n
Abbi Spooner Easts 7s<\/p>\n
Aimee Henry | Emerging Reds \/ Canterbury College<\/p>\n
Amy Lorenz | GPS 7s<\/p>\n
Billie Backus | Emerging Reds \/ King\u2019s Christian College<\/p>\n
Charli Nikola | Easts 7s<\/p>\n
Madison Pomerenke | Brothers 7s \/ Wynnum SHS<\/p>\n
Matilda Richards | GPS 7s \/ Mt St Michael’s College<\/p>\n
Matilda Vial | Emerging Reds \/ Keebra SHS<\/p>\n
Peyton Lefau-Fakaosilea | Emerging Reds \/ Marsden SHS<\/p>\n
Reese Orcher | Indigenous 7s \/ Clayfield College<\/p>\n
Tahli Devine | Bond 7s<\/p>\n
Te Rina-Jade Murray | Emerging Reds \/ King\u2019s Christian College<\/p>\n
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