Front-rowers Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Megumi Takagi have been added to the starting line-up for the Western Force’s crucial SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s final-round clash away to the Queensland Reds on Sunday.
The fourth-placed Force will face the third-placed Reds from 11:05am WST on Sunday at Ballymore Stadium live on Stan Sport, with the winner guaranteed to host a Super W semi-final.
Vice-captain Malcolm Heke and impressive Japanese prop Takagi are named in the starting XV, following injuries to Allana Sikimeti and Loretta Mailangi sustained in the 47-31 victory over the Fijian Drua on Sunday.
The Force have also brought in five-cap Wallaroos loosehead prop/hooker Madi Schuck on an injury cover contract and she’ll start among the Impact Squad. Schuck recently played for Bond University in the Australian Club Championships.
Wests Scarborough front-rower Hannah Palelei and Wanneroo centre Ngamihi Monk are also added to the finishers.
Takagi, Malcolm Heke and Braxton Walker make up the front row, with locks Sera Naiqama and Michaela Leonard in the second row. Tamika Jones – who has a team-high 42 tackles this season - Ashley Marsters and Pia Tapsell round out the forwards.
Japanese scrum-half Mio Yamanaka will start again after a fine performance against the Drua, alongside Grace Freeman at fly-half. Yamanaka has clocked up three try assists this season.
Captain Trilleen Pomare and Cecilia Smith will partner in the midfield, with full-back Sheree Hume and wingers Brooklyn Teki Joyce and Adi Vani Buleki making up the back three.
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Megumi Takagi, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Braxton Walker, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Tamika Jones, Ashley Marsters, Pia Tapsell; Mio Yamanaka, Grace Freeman, Brooklyn Teki Joyce, Trilleen Pomare (c), Cecilia Smith, Adi Vani Buleki, Sheree Hume
Reserves; Madi Schuck, Hannah Palelei, Alapeta Ngauamo, Rosie Ebbage, Nami Dickson, Nicole Ledington, Ngamihi Monk, Samantha Treherne
Game details
Queensland Reds vs Western Force
Sunday 30 March, 11:05am WST
Live on Stan Sport
