The Western Force team list for Saturday’s second pre-season trial game against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra has been confirmed.
The Force commenced its pre-season with a dominant victory over the Manly Marlins in Sydney on Sunday and the squad has since spent the week in Canberra preparing for Saturday’s game at Brumbies HQ from 8am WST.
Force head coach Dylan Parsons has made six changes to the starting side, with Japan international hooker Seina Saito, prop Alapeta Ngauamo, back-rower Nami Dickson, Wallaroos half-back Samantha Wood, fly-half Nicole Ledington and winger Halley Derera added.
Earlier this week it was announced that Wood would co-captain the Force in the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s season alongside long-time skipper Trilleen Pomare, who is among the finishers.
In the run-on side, leadership group duo Hannah Palelei and Alapeta Ngauamo are the props alongside Saito.
Kahurangi Sturmey and vice-captain Michaela Leonard start in the locks, with Wanneroo openside flanker Nami Dickson joining Pia Tapsell and clubmate Taylor Waterson in the back row.
ARKS product Wood starts at scrum-half alongside Ledington, replicating the duo’s recent 9-10 combination for the Wallaroos.
Ngamihi Monk, who has been involved in Wallaroos camps in recent times, links up with experienced midfielder Cecilia Smith in the centres.
Brooklyn Teki-Joyce and Derera start on the wings, with Aiysha Wigley – who made her return from long-term injury last Sunday – running on again at full-back.
The game will not be live streamed but follow the Western Force social channels for updates.
The Force will return to Perth following the game, before having the Round 1 bye in Super W, with the side’s opening fixture away to the Fijian Drua on Saturday 13 June.
Game details
ACT Brumbies vs Western Force
Saturday 23 May, 8am WST/10am WST
Brumbies HQ, Canberra
Follow @WesternForce on X for updates
Western Force starting XV
1 Hannah Palelei
2 Seina Saito
3 Alapeta Ngauamo
4 Kahurangi Sturmey
5 Michaela Leonard (vc)
6 Pia Tapsell
7 Nami Dickson
8 Taylor Waterson
9 Samantha Wood (cc)
10 Nicole Ledington
11 Brooklyn Teki-Joyce
12 Ngamihi Monk
13 Cecilia Smith
14 Halley Derera
15 Aiysha Wigley
Finishers
16 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, 17 Allana Sikimeti, 18 Zoe Elliott, 19 Sera Naiqama, 20 Sofaia Talemaira, 21 Ai Dickson, 22 Trilleen Pomare (cc), 23 Ella Pietsch, 24 Atawhai Hotene, 25 Jiowana Sauto, 26 Adi Vani Buleki
