The Western Force’s team list has been confirmed for the Club’s opening 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s trial game against the Manly Marlins in Sydney on Sunday.
The Force has named a 27-player team for the clash against the NSW Women’s Division 1 club at Manly Oval from 12pm WST (2pm local time) on Sunday 17 May.
In the run-on front row are Wests Scarborough loosehead prop Hannah Palelei, Kalamunda hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and tighthead prop Zoe Elliott, fresh from her maiden Wallaroos tour experience.
New recruit Kahurangi Sturmey will link up on the second row with Wallaroos record-breaker Michaela Leonard.
In the back row, Black Ferns forward Pia Tapsell starts at blindside flanker with the experienced Anneka Stephens at openside flanker. Wanneroo’s Taylor Waterson starts at number 8.
Wanneroo teenager Ai Dickson will start at scrum-half alongside retired Wallaroos star Trilleen Pomare, who has been named at fly-half. Wanneroo’s Ngamihi Monk and Wallaroos outside-centre Cecilia Smith will run on in the midfield.
Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, fresh from her Wallaroos debut earlier this year, and off-season addition Ella Pietsch are named on the wings, with Wanneroo full-back Aiysha Wigley named after two seasons out following an ACL injury.
The Force has named an extended group of finishers with unlimited rotations for the trial game.
There are five capped Wallaroos among the finishers, including Sammy Wood and Nicole Ledington who formed a 9/10 partnership for Australia during their recent Pacific Four games. There is also Seina Saito who is a three-time World Cup representative for Japan.
Fijian prop Jiowana Sauto and Japanese front-rower Hinata Komaki, who was part of the Force squad two seasons ago, are listed from outside the 32-player primary squad.
The game will not be live streamed but follow the Western Force social channels for updates.
The Force will remain on the east coast after the game, travelling to Canberra to face the ACT Brumbies on Saturday 23 May.
Game details
Manly Marlins vs Western Force
Sunday 17 May, 2pm AEST / 12pm WST
Manly Oval, Sydney
Follow @WesternForce on X for updates
Western Force starting XV
1 Hannah Palelei
2 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke
3 Zoe Elliott
4 Kahurangi Sturmey
5 Michaela Leonard
6 Pia Tapsell
7 Anneka Stephens
8 Taylor Waterson
9 Ai Dickson
10 Trilleen Pomare
11 Brooklyn Teki Joyce
12 Ngamihi Monk
13 Cecilia Smith
14 Ella Pietsch
15 Aiysha Wigley
Finishers
16 Seina Saito, 17 Allana Sikimeti, 18 Alapeta Ngauamo, 19 Sera Naiqama, 20 Nami Dickson, 21 Samantha Wood, 22 Nicole Ledington, 23 Halley Derera, 24 Atawhai Hotene, 25 Sofaia Talemaira, 26 Jiowana Sauto, 27 Hinata Komaki
