The Western Force has added Japanese flavour to the side’s 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s squad with the signings of back-rower Seina Saito and hooker Chiharu Nezuka.
Saito, 33, is a three-time World Cup representative for the Cherry Blossom 15, reaching 50 caps for Japan during last year’s tournament.
Nezuka, 23, is an emerging front-rower, who was part of the Yokohama TKM side that won the 2025 All-Japan Women’s Rugby Football Championship.
The addition of the Japanese pair, who arrived in Perth earlier this month, takes the Force’s 2026 Super W squad to 28 members, ahead of the season start in early June.
Osaka-born Saito has 53 international caps to her name and has captained her country. Saito has overseas experience, playing for Chiefs Manawa in the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season.
She plies her trade domestically with Mie Pearls and was part of that side that faced the Force during the Club’s 2024 Japan Tour.
Force Super W head coach Dylan Parsons said: “Seina is a very experienced and respected international player that came through our connection with Mie Pearls after our Japan Tour a few years ago.
“She’s played at multiple World Cups and is one of the highest capped Japanese players as well and a former international captain.
“Seina is a number 8 but has experience at hooker during her time at Chiefs Manawa. Her flexibility really helps with our squad make-up. She adds that back-row quality in her primary position but is very comfortable and confident in the front row as a hooker, which gives us some depth.”
Nezuka joins the Force squad following the unfortunate season-ending ACL injury to hooker Katalina Amosa earlier this year.
The Japanese front-rower scored two tries in Yokohama TKM’s semi-final win over Jue Amaterus.
Parsons said: “Chiharu is someone we found through our networks. We needed another specialist hooker, with Kat Amosa out injured.
“She’s come out of the Yokohama TKM program, who just won the Japanese competition last year. She’s coming out of a good successful program.
“Chiharu has got a great work ethic and is strong with her set piece and defence. We’re pretty excited to have someone like Chiharu who’s coming off success to add that experience with our program.”
Seina Saito
DOB: 30/5/1992 Position: Back-rower
Chiharu Nezuka
DOB: 14/12/2002 Position: Hooker
2026 Western Force Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s squad
Katalina Amosa, Halley Derera, Ai Dickson, Nami Dickson, Zoe Elliott, Grace Freeman, Atawhai Hotene, Nicole Ledington, Michaela Leonard, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Ngamihi Monk, Sera Naiqama, Chiharu Nezuka, Alapeta Ngauamo, Hannah Palelei, Ella Pietsch, Seina Saito, Allana Sikimeti, Cecilia Smith, Anneka Stephens, Kahurangi Sturmey, Sofaia Talemaira, Pia Tapsell, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa, Braxton Walker, Taylor Waterson, Sammy Wood
