COACH Brooke Saunders is confident the Wildfires women's fringe players will shine in the absence of their stars against Warringah at Rat Park on Saturday.
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The Wildfires will be without Kaitlan Leaney, Ash Walker (NSW Waratahs), Janita Kareta, Ashley Marsters, Maryann Utai (Melbourne Rebels) and Susannah Cooke (ACT Brumbies) who are in camp ahead of the Super W campaign.
As well as the rep stars, Sophie Clancy (shoulder) and Sian Filipo (ankle) are injured.
"The girls who haven't got as many minutes will get an opportunity to play a lot more," Saunders said. "McKenzie Young will get a chance on the side of the scrum and Theresa Wilhelmus comes into the front row.
"The girls starting tomorrow, some of them haven't started all season. They will have fire in the belly and want to come out really hard."
"We have lost girls to play at the next level. It is great for them and it is great for us."
Emma Bradford, Karen Nabularua, Candice Clay, Kate Holland, Trudi Peterson and Katie Sampford will play for the Wildfires on Saturday before joining the President XV, which will also compete in the Super W. They open their campaign against the Western Force in Coffs Harbour on Thursday.
"It is unreal that we have 12 players featuring in Super W," Saunders said. "I wouldn't say it puts a strain on our team."
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