The Western Force are delighted to unveil the signing of forward Loretta Mailangi as the latest recruit ahead of the side’s upcoming Japan tour and the 2025 Super Rugby Women’s season.
Mailangi, 25, joins the Force fresh from being selected in the Australia A squad that played Samoa last month.
She spent last season with the ACT Brumbies, playing six times in the 2024 Super W season, after previously representing the NSW Waratahs.
Mailangi had previously played as a back-rower but has transitioned into a hooker, and will compete with Wallaroo Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke for that starting role.
Force women’s head coach Dylan Parsons said: “Loretta has been part of the Waratahs and Brumbies programs and she’s also now had representative exposure.
“She’s a back-rower who is converting to hooker and we see that as a really good opportunity for her, as we develop depth in that position at the Force.
“We’ve got Hera-Barb here and she wants to help others get better. To have someone like Loretta, who is transitioning in her role, we feel it’s a really good combination to work together and push each other.”
Parsons worked as Australia A’s assistant coach in the recent camp where he got a first-hand opportunity to work with Mailangi.
“We had a really good connection in the Australia A program,” he said. “She’s someone who brings a lot of intensity and physicality around her general play work.
“Now it’s our job to be able to refine the set-piece work in this transition from back row to hooker.”
Mailangi joins Wallaroo Sera Naiqama and Sydney University premiership winner Grace Freeman as new Force women’s signings.
Rosie Ebbage, Alapeta Ngauamo, Sheree Hume and Georgia Cormick also all recently re-signed with the Force.
Mailangi is in line to be part of the selected Force squad which will fly out of Perth in mid-October for the women’s historic Japan tour where they’ll play three games.
Loretta Mailangi
17/4/1999
Hooker
Hometown: Arncliffe, NSW
ACT Brumbies (2024, 6 games)
NSW Waratahs (2023, 4 games)
