The Western Force’s 23-player team list for the side’s historic Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s semi-final against the NSW Waratahs has been named with Zoe Elliott and Atawhai Hotene to make their starting debuts.
The Force will host a Super W semi-final for the first time in Club history, welcoming the Waratahs to HBF Park from 2pm WST Saturday as part of a double-header with the Wallabies-Italy Test.
Tickets for the historic Super W / Nations Championship double-header start at just $49 for adults and $29 for juniors, and are available now at Ticketmaster. Purchase via this link.
The WA side are a win away from the Club’s maiden Super W grand final appearance and head into the semi-final full of confidence after beating the six-time champion Waratahs for the first time in Club history three weeks ago. The Force are also on a team-record three-game winning streak.
The winner of Saturday's semi-final will take on either the Fijian Drua (1) or Queensland Reds (4) in the Grand Final on Saturday 25 July. If the Drua lose their semi-final, the Force (2) will host the Grand Final at HBF Park if they beat the 'Tahs (3).
Cottesloe product Elliott, who was part of the Wallaroos squad earlier this year, comes into the starting side at tighthead prop, while former New Zealand touch rugby international Hotene is added at inside-centre. Both were among the replacements in the 36-20 win over the ACT Brumbies in Round 5.
Three-cap Wallaroos prop Allana Sikimeti returns to the starting XV at loosehead prop and Wanneroo outside back Aiysha Wigley is back from head injury protocols and will be deployed in the starting line-up on the wing.
Fijian front-rower Jiowana Sauto is among the impacts after being a late withdrawal with injury against the Brumbies.
Front-rower Alapeta Ngauamo and midfielder Cecilia Smith are unavailable due to suspension following cards against the Brumbies.
In the starting side, Sikimeti and Elliott will be the run-on props alongside hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, who has scored in each of the Force’s past three games, all wins.
The remainder of the forward pack is unchanged, with ex-Waratah Sera Naiqama and Michaela Leonard, the all-time most capped Wallaroo, named in the second row, with Pia Tapsell, Anneka Stephens and Japan international Seina Saito in the back row.
Co-captain and scrum-half Sammy Wood teams up with fly-half Grace Freeman for the third straight game as game drivers.
Hotene, who scored after coming on as a replacement against the Brumbies, will link up with experienced co-captain Trilleen Pomare in the midfield.
Wigley and Fijian speedster Adi Vani Buleki – who dotted three times this season - starts on the wings, with Wallaroo Nicole Ledington rounding out the back three at full-back.
Brooklyn Teki Joyce and Hannah Palelei have been moved to the impacts, alongside Sauto, Keira MacAskill, Yuna Sato, Taylor Waterson, Ai Dickson and Halley Derera.
Kick-off for Saturday’s game at HBF Park is 2pm WST, with tickets available via Ticketmaster. All tickets purchased include the Wallabies-Italy Test match from 6pm WST too.
Gates open at 1:45pm. The game is live on Stan Sport. The Force thanks Tourism WA for their support of the fixture.
Follow Western Force social media channels for updates
Game details
Western Force vs NSW Waratahs
Saturday 18 July, 2pm WST
HBF Park, Perth
Live on Stan Sport (TV) – Tickets via Ticketmaster
Western Force team list
Starting XV
1. Allana Sikimeti
2. Hera Barb Malcolm Heke
3. Zoe Elliott*
4. Sera Naiqama
5. Michaela Leonard (vc)
6. Pia Tapsell
7. Anneka Stephens
8. Seina Saito
9. Samantha Wood (cc)
10. Grace Freeman
11. Aiysha Wigley
12. Atawhai Hotene*
13. Trilleen Pomare
14. Adi Vani Buleki
15. Nicole Ledington
Reserves
16. Jiowana Sauto
17. Keira MacAskill
18. Hannah Palelei
19. Yuna Sato
20. Taylor Waterson
21. Ai Dickson
22. Brooklyn Teki Joyce
23. Halley Derera
*denotes starting Force/Super W debut
