The Western Force’s 23-player team list for the side’s season opener against the Fijian Drua has been confirmed with six debutants selected for the trip to Lautoka.
The Force are due to travel to Fiji later today for Saturday’s Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s clash at Churchill Park from 10:05am WST, having had the Round 1 bye.
Japan international Seina Saito has been named to make her debut in the starting XV, along with speedster Ella Pietsch on the wing.
Japanese hooker Chiharu Nezuka, prop Zoe Elliott, Wanneroo back-rower Taylor Waterson and teenage scrum-half Ai Dickson are among the finishers in line for debuts.
Despite not debuting at Super W level, Elliott has already been part of Wallaroos squads this year, representing a unique journey for the former powerlifter.
Wanneroo full-back Aiysha Wigley has been named to start, marking her return to Super W after suffering an ACL injury in Round 4 of the 2024 season. When Wigley runs on, it will be 798 days between Super W games.
Twelve of the Force’s starting XV are capped internationally, led by co-captains Trilleen Pomare and Sammy Wood.
Kalamunda hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke will become the second player in Force history to reach 25 Super W caps when she runs out, following on from Pomare. Malcolm Heke debuted in 2019 in Super W and has gone on to earn three Wallaroos caps and become a key part of the Force leadership group.
In the run-on side, Wallaroos trio Allana Sikimeti, Malcolm Heke and Alapeta Ngauamo will make up the front row.
Sera Naiqama and vice-captain Michaela Leonard will start as locks, with Black Ferns loose forward Pia Tapsell, experienced leader Anneka Stephens and Sakura Fifteen number 8 Seina Saito in the back row.
Wood will start at scrum-half alongside Wallaroos fly-half Nicole Ledington. Pomare will run on in the midfield alongside Cecilia Smith.
Wests Scarborough flyer Brooklyn Teki Joyce, who made her Wallaroos debut earlier this year, and Pietsch will start on the wings, with Wigley rounding out the back three.
The finishers are Japanese rake Nezuka, prop Hannah Palelei, prop Elliott, injury cover second-rower Yuna Sato, back-rower Taylor Waterson, scrum-half Dickson, utility back Ngamihi Monk and Fijian flyer Adi Vani Buleki.
Kick-off for the game is 10:05am WST Saturday, live on Stan Sport. Follow Western Force social media channels for updates.
Game details
Fijian Drua vs Western Force
Saturday 13 June, 10:05am WST
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Live on Stan Sport (TV)
Western Force team list
1 Allana Sikimeti
2 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke
3 Alapeta Ngauamo
4 Sera Naiqama
5 Michaela Leonard (vc)
6 Pia Tapsell
7 Anneka Stephens
8 Seina Saito
9 Samantha Wood (cc)
10 Nicole Ledington
11 Brooklyn Teki-Joyce
12 Trilleen Pomare (cc)
13 Cecilia Smith
14 Ella Pietsch
15 Aiysha Wigley
Reserves; 16 Chiharu Nezuka, 17 Hannah Palelei, 18 Zoe Elliott, 19 Yuna Sato, 20 Taylor Waterson, 21 Ai Dickson, 22 Ngamihi Monk, 23 Adi Vani Buleki
