First glance suggests a 17-year-old flyhalf and a Wallaroo with two World Cup appearances under her belt are a world apart.
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But together emerging playmaker Ella Ryan and veteran flanker Rebecca Smyth have set their sights on leading the ACT Brumbies to a maiden Super W title.
Smyth and Ryan headline a list of five debutants in the Brumbies' starting XV for their Super W season opener against Western Australia on Saturday.
They join loosehead prop Krystal Fyfe, outside centre Pesi Palu and winger Gabrielle Petersen as the newcomers to the Brumbies line-up.
Brumbies coach Adam Butt has named another six potential first-timers on the bench, making the inclusion of Smyth a huge boost.
"She's experienced, and we need that experience with so many new faces and so much inexperience in our team," Butt said.
"That will give us that grunt around the field that we're looking for. She travels eight hours a day to get here, the commitment is massive.
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"She comes down on Wednesdays and Fridays, trains with the squad and does her own stuff on Monday.
"She is amazingly fit and you can't keep her out of the gym. What she adds to the team is a bit of dedication and that country edge we're looking for."
Then there is the speed and poise of a teenager with the world at her feet in Ryan.
The rising star will link up with Brumbies co-captain Jane Garraway in the halves, who splits the captaincy duties with back-rower Michaela Leonard.
"I don't think Ella needs too much moulding. She's got a bit of an old head on her shoulders," Butt said.
"She plays and directs rugby around like she has been playing it for a long time, and this level will be no different to her.
"She knows what she wants, and she will go out and get it. Ella has always got a lot of energy and she is fit.
"It's going to be tough, they're going to send a lot of traffic her way and they're going to hit her late.
"That's just something she has to deal with at this level, and she will grow into it. By the end of the competition we will see a whole new player."
SUPER W ROUND ONE
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Western Australia at Canberra Stadium, 4.35pm.
Brumbies squad: 1. Krystal Fyfe, 2. Harriet Elleman, 3. Louise Burrows, 4. Emily Sogal, 5. Michaela Leonard (c), 6. Emma Masi, 7. Rebecca Smyth, 8. Zali Waihape-Andrews, 9. Jane Garraway (c), 10. Ella Ryan, 11. Darcy Read, 12. Sammie Wood, 13. Pesi Palu, 14. Gabrielle Petersen, 15. Talei Qalo Wilson. Bench: 16. Tania Ofamasaga, 17. Peta Cox, 18. Iris Verebalavu, 19. Grace Sullivan, 20. Pearl Rakete, 21. Phoebe Loughhead, 22. Claudia Obst, 23. Ainsley Scrivener.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND THREE
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
Brumbies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Solomone Kata, 15. Tom Banks. Bench: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Lachlan McCaffrey, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
