The semi-finals bound Western Force have made six changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s Round 5 Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s clash against the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park.
The Force booked their maiden semi-finals spot last weekend by virtue of other results and can finish as high as second or as low as fourth ahead of the final round of home-and-away fixtures.
Fearsome Kalamunda hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Japan international prop Natsuki Kashiwagi return to the front-row, with Rosie Ebbage added to the second row.
Aranmore College product Nicole Ledington is back at fly-half after starting as a reserve in last week’s 45-21 loss to the NSW Waratahs. Manusina Samoa international Saelua Leaula and local talent Brooklyn Teki-Joyce come into the XV on either wing.
Renae Nona shifts from fly-half for Ledington to full-back with Aiysha Wigley ruled out with a season-ending ACL injury sustained against the Tahs.
Lock Michaela Leonard will lead the team against her former side, with captain Trilleen Pomare ruled out with a knock which isn’t expected to impact her semi-finals availability.
Alanis Toia is also unavailable due to a calf injury, with Dallys Tini and Keira MacAskill added to the Impact Squad.
The winner of the Brumbies-Force clash with face the Fijian Drua in the semi-finals, with the venue to be determined by the Drua’s result later on Saturday against the Melbourne Rebels. The loser of the Brumbies-Force game will take on the NSW Waratahs in the semi-finals.
The Force must claim a bonus-point win over the Brumbies and the Drua lose to the Rebels without a bonus point to claim second spot and a home semi-final.
The Force and Brumbies are currently locked on nine points, thus the winner of the clash will secure second or third spot.
The fifth-placed Reds cannot catch either side despite being on four points due to head-to-head record being the determining factor behind points.
The Super W game will be live on Stan Sport, while there will be regular updates @WesternForce on social media.
Game details
ACT Brumbies v Western Force
Saturday 13 April, 12:45pm WST
Viking Park, Canberra
Live on Stan Sport
Force team list
Starting XV: Hinata Komaki, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Natsuki Kashiwagi, Michaela Leonard (c), Rosie Ebbage, Lucy Dinnen, Anneka Stephens, Tamika Jones, Samantha Wood, Nicole Ledington, Saelua Leaula, Siutiti Ma’ake, Sheree Hume, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Renae Nona
Reserves: Sara Cline, Harono Te Iringa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Libya Teepa, Keira MacAskill, Kendra Fell, Dallys Tini, Haylee Hifo
