The explosive power of Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani is to be a huge asset to the Queensland Reds for the 2026 season of Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s.
Karpani’s name is another key piece locked in as the Reds get closer to finalising their 32-name roster for next month’s kick-off to the season.
Today’s announcement that Karpani is returning for a second season has always been in her plans.
She will bring all her experience and authority to the squad. How well she enacted that in 2025 was obvious when she was named the Shannon Parry Medal winner as the dominant figure for the Reds in Super Rugby Women’s.
The 45-Test stalwart is eager to build on all the positives she enjoyed when linking with the club for the first time last year.
“Being challenged to lead and leading more in a new squad was a really positive takeaway from 2025. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and I did,” Karpani said.
“Being a senior player in a younger squad of girls, playing a different brand of rugby, was a nice challenge last year and one to build on.
“I think we have some extraordinary players in our 2026 squad and it’s exciting to see the depth we have.”
Karpani excelled at the business end of the season in 2025, not just with her six tries in the final three games but with her scrum presence.
“I think all the girls involved in the semi-final and final last year will have got so much value from that. They now know the pressure of being in big knockout games,” Karpani said.
“When we get back to a big finals game, we will have seen the scenario and be more experienced in that situation. There were really good learnings there.”
Karpani said being in a new squad last year had sparked all the right sensations.
“The Reds girls were awesome. I loved it and got a really good reminder of how much I love footy. It was nice to enjoy some big moments myself but also to celebrate the winning moments of other girls because the team succeeding is the No.1 thing.”
Karpani said four Tests and being in Wallaroos camps in the early part of the year were an excellent springboard into the Super Rugby Women’s season.
“Playing that international footy was a really good indicator and has given me confidence for Super Rugby Women’s,” Karpani said.
“I’m eager to give Super a good crack and do my part.
“Playing Wallaroos, I got to see (lock) Tiarah Minns really step up into a starting role. She’s got a never-give-up mentality and no one matches her workrate in the forwards."
Reds women’s Head Coach Andrew Fraser said Karpani’s impact was massive on and off the field.
“The fact she polled so highly in the Shannon Parry Medal is obviously one side to Eva’s value to the squad,” Fraser said.
“She is that high-energy impact player but also a wonderfully caring human when it comes to the other players and staff.
“We are very fortunate to have someone of her calibre at the Reds. She returned to the starting side at the Wallaroos and hopefully we will reap some of the rewards of that form.”
