New signing Cecilia Smith will make her Western Force bow in Sunday’s exhibition game against Japanese champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix in the second game of the side’s Japan tour.
The Force have named a 26-player team list for Sunday’s game from 1pm WST in scenic Fujiyoshida, on the foot of Mount Fuji. The Force and Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix struck a partnership last year, involving trial games and player exchange, leading to the historic Japan tour.
Smith and Michaela Leonard are both added following Wallaroos duty where the pair helped the side win the WXV 2 title in Cape Town.
Former Super W Player of the Year and 17-cap Wallaroo Smith, who switched to the Force from the Queensland Reds earlier this month, will start at outside-centre, adding experience to a youthful backline.
Leonard will start from the bench, with Wallaroos and Kalamunda hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke to lead the side as captain again. Fly-half Grace Freeman will be her deputy as vice-captain.
Smith is the only change to the Force starting XV from last week’s hybrid 40-minute games against Mie Pearls (19-12 loss) and Yokohama TKM (17-12 loss).
Sunday’s game against Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix is the only standalone fixture of the Japan tour, with the Force taking on the Phoenix along with Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars in the final fixture on Saturday 2 November across two hybrid 40-minute games.
The Force’s historic Japan tour marks the Club’s first off-season overseas games, offering a valuable opportunity to build towards the 2025 Super Rugby Women’s season after qualifying for the finals for the first time in Club history in 2024.
Sunday's game will not be streamed but follow @WesternForce on X (Twitter) for game updates and across social media for updates throughout the tour.
Game details
Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix
Sunday 27 October 1pm WST
Fujiyoshida
Western Force team list
Starters; Hannah Palelei, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Braxton Walker, Sera Naiqama, Rosie Ebbage, Tamika Jones, Nami Dickson, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce; Georgia Cormick, Grace Freeman, Leilani Hills, Ngamihi Monk, Cecilia Smith, Halley Derera, Sheree Hume
Reserves; Loretta Mailangi, Allana Sikimeti, Alapeta Ngauamo, Zoe Elliott, Michaela Leonard, Sofaia Talemaira, Topaz Jean Porter, Nicole Ledington, April Downey, Tizanae Kovacs, Ocean Tuhua
Western Force Japan tour fixtures
Game 1: Western Force v Pearls / Yokohama TKM, Saturday 19 October 11am WST, Nagano
Game 2: Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix, Sunday 27 October 1pm WST, Fujiyoshida
Game 3: Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix / Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars, Saturday 2 November 12pm WST, Tokyo
