The Western Force is rapt to confirm the signing of emerging WA young guns Sofaia Talemaira and Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa for the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s season.
The Wanneroo pair were both part of last season’s WA Fortescue Premier Grade women’s premiership-winning side, claiming a 19-15 victory over Wests Scarborough.
Talemaira, who is a 20-year-old lock, has led the Divaz as captain to back-to-back Premier Grade titles in 2024 and 2025, playing an influential role.
The second-rower was part of the Force’s 2024 Japan Tour and played a key role in October’s North vs South Women’s Series, starting all three games for the triumphant North team.
Force Super W head coach Dylan Parsons said: “Sofaia is another good local player who’s worked really hard in the club competition with Wanneroo. She’s shown some really good leadership skills at Wanneroo as their skipper for the past few seasons.
“She’s been around our environment for a couple of seasons and got an opportunity in Japan with us. She’s active around the field, has a good engine and gets through her core roles as a lock.
“We’re really looking forward to see how she develops now she’s got a good understanding of what it takes to be a high performance rugby player. We’re excited to see how she progresses in her first rugby contract.”
Exciting 16-year-old Tuheke Kupa enjoyed a breakout 2025 with the Divaz after emerging through the RugbyWA under-age girls pathway.
Like Talemaira, she played a key role for North in the North vs South Women’s Series, starting two of three games, and taking conversions in the decider. She spent last season as a scrum-half but her preferred position is centre.
The teenager graduated out of RugbyWA’s Girls Emerging Players Program last year, with the move into the Force’s Super W program her next step.
Parsons said: “Kylah-Rey is a good local story and another one from the RugbyWA Pathways and Aranmore program, where she’s still studying at school.
“She’s earned her first contract after playing really well in the North vs South Series. She also played well in club rugby when she got her chances in seniors later in the 2025 season, once she proved she was able to handle the physicality of Premier Grade.
“Everything that’s been put in front of her she’s handled really well, which gives us confidence that she’s ready for this opportunity. She’ll be learning from experienced centres like Trilleen and Cecilia which will only fast track her development.”
Sofaia Talemaira
DOB: 26/9/2005
Position: Lock
WA club: Wanneroo
Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa
DOB: 24/11/2009
Position: Centre
WA club: Wanneroo
