The Western Force team list for Saturday’s final SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s pre-season trial game against NSW Waratahs at UWA Sports Park has been confirmed.
Japanese pair Megumi Takagi and Mio Yamanaka will don the Force blue for the first time, with the former set to start in the front row.
Wallaroos forward Ashley Marsters comes into the starting XV for the first time in the back row, having played as a impact player in last weekend's win away to the Queensland Reds.
Kalamunda’s Nicole Ledington will start in a new role at full-back, while 14-cap Wallaroo Samantha Treherne comes into the side for the first time in a winger role.
The Force have named an extended 12-player bench, with Japan Olympic Sevens representative Yamanaka among the Impact Squad along with Manusina international scrum-half Ana Afuie.
Kick-off against the reigning Super W champions is 10:30am WST at UWA Sports Park, with free entry for supporters. The game will be preceded by a Force U20s vs Fortescue Academy internal game from 9am.
Saturday’s game marks the Force’s final tune-up for the 2025 Super W season, following on from trial victories over Rugby Victoria (45-6) and Queensland Reds (41-12).
The Force opens its Super W season against the ACT Brumbies at HBF Park as part of a double-header on Saturday 1 March from 2:05pm WST.
Game details
Western Force vs NSW Waratahs
Saturday 22 February, 10:30am WST
UWA Sports Park
Super Rugby Women’s trial game
Free entry, no stream
Force team list
Starting XV; Megumi Takagi, Loretta Mailangi, Alapeta Ngauamo, Libya Teepa, Sera Naiqama, Tamika Jones, Anneka Stephens, Ashley Marsters; Georgia Cormick, Grace Freeman, Brooklyn Teki Joyce, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Samantha Treherne, Nicole Ledington
Reserves; Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Allana Sikimeti, Braxton Walker, Michaela Leonard, Rosie Ebbage, Taylor Waterson, Nami Dickson, Pia Tapsell, Ana Afuie, Mio Yamanaka, Adi Vani Buleki, Sheree Hume
