Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard returns for the Western Force while Nami Dickson is set for her SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s debut against the Fijian Drua on Sunday.
The Force have named their 23-player team list for Sunday’s game from 4:50pm WST at HBF Park, with tickets available via Ticketmaster, and the game live on Stan Sport.
The game is vital for the fourth-placed Force’s home semi-final aspirations, with two rounds to play. The Force (0-1-1, 3 points) are fourth, while the Drua (2-1, 9 points) are second.
Leonard returns to the second row after an injury lay-off that saw her miss the narrow Round 2 loss to the NSW Waratahs.
Pia Tapsell shuffles to the back row, with Anneka Stephens dropping out of the side following a knee injury sustained in the Penina Pasifika clash played during the side’s Round 3 bye.
Australia A hooker Loretta Mailangi and Japanese scrum-half Mio Yamanaka both come into the starting XV in Super W for the first time following good form, while Wests Scarborough winger Brooklyn Teki Joyce returns from head injury protocols.
Wanneroo back-rower Nami Dickson, who has come through the RugbyWA development system, is named among the Impact Squad marking her potential Super W debut following a strong display against Penina.
The Force have teamed up with RugbyWA and VenuesWest for a free junior rugby ticket giveaway for Sunday’s double-header. The Club are offering one free child and adult pass for all registered juniors for the double-header, using this link.
Force team list
Starting XV; Allana Sikimeti, Loretta Mailangi, Braxton Walker, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Tamika Jones, Pia Tapsell, Ashley Marsters, Mio Yamanaka, Grace Freeman, Brooklyn Teki Joyce, Trilleen Pomare (c), Cecilia Smith, Adi Vani Buleki, Sheree Hume
Reserves; Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Megumi Takagi, Alapeta Ngauamo, Rosie Ebbage, Nami Dickson, Ana Afuie, Nicole Ledington, Samantha Treherne
Game details
Western Force vs Fijian Drua
Sunday 23 March, 4:50pm WST
HBF Park
SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s Round 4
Live on Stan Sport
