The Western Force have named a 26-player team list for Saturday’s SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s development fixture against Penina Pasifika at UWA Sports Park.
The Force have the bye from official Super W competition this weekend but will take on the Penina side which develops pathways for Pacific players to compete in high-level Australian rugby competitions. No competition points are up for grabs.
The Force are coming off a heartbreaking last-gasp 26-21 loss to the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday in Super W Round 2, following on from a 29-29 draw against the ACT Brumbies in Round 1.
Force coach Dylan Parsons has opted to mix up his starting XV from that fielded in the opening two Super W rounds, eager to offer playing opportunities.
Hannah Palelei, Loretta Mailangi and Alapeta Ngauamo will all come into the front row, with the experienced Libya Teepa and Australia A rep Rosie Ebbage starting in the locks.
Wanneroo flanker Tamika Jones and Wallaroo Ashley Marsters remain in the back row alongside emerging local talent Nami Dickson.
Japanese Olympic Sevens player Mio Yamanaka gets a maiden shot at starting scrum-half, alongside Kalamunda fly-half Nicole Ledington.
Grace Freeman reverts from fly-half to the midfield, partnering Wanneroo teeneager Ngamihi Monk fresh from her Super W debut.
Haylee Hifo and Adi Vani Buleki will start on the wings with full-back Sheree Hume rounding out the back three.
Zoe Elliott, Olivia Daly Tallon, Halley Derera, Tizanae Kovacs and Jess Harvie are all in line for minutes as finishers having not played yet this Super W season.
Kick-off for Saturday’s game is 3pm WST, with entry free. The game preceded by a Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup clash between UWA and Kalamunda from 1pm.
For the full rundown on gameday info, click here.
Force team list
Starting XV; Hannah Palelei, Loretta Mailangi, Alapeta Ngauamo, Libya Teepa, Rosie Ebbage, Tamika Jones, Nami Dickson, Ashley Marsters; Mio Yamanaka, Nicole Ledington, Haylee Hifo, Grace Freeman, Ngamihi Monk, Adi Vani Buleki, Sheree Hume
Impact Squad; Braxton Walker, Allana Sikimeti, Zoe Elliott, Olivia Daly Tallon, Sera Naiqama, Ana Afuie, Halley Derera, Tizanae Kovacs, Anneka Stephens, Jess Harvie, Sammy Treherne
Game details
Western Force vs Penina Pasifika
SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s development fixture
UWA Sports Park – free entry
Kick-off 3pm
