Round 4 Western Force W v NSW Waratahs W

Pomare previews Tahs clash: 'I think our defence is up for it'

Mon, Apr 1, 2024, 12:00 PM
Ben Somerford

Taking on the ladder-leading NSW Waratahs holds no fears for the emerging Western Force according to captain Trilleen Pomare.

The Force will host the title favourites NSW at UWA Sports Park from 3:05pm WST on Saturday knowing that a victory will clinch a maiden Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s semi-finals berth.

The 2-1 Force sit third on the table following Saturday’s 19-5 loss to the reigning back-to-back champions Fijian Drua, who moved up to second.

Above both sides are the Tahs who have won three from three, including an impressive 62-21 victory away to the Drua, stamping themselves as the team to beat.

The Waratahs boast a long list of current Wallaroos in their ranks too, including Emily Robinson, Eva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Layne Morgan, Georgina Friedrichs, Grace Hamilton and Piper Duck.

When asked about taking on the Tahs, Pomare told SkyPacific: "We know they're a running team. I think our D (defence) is up for it.

“We've just got to get home and recover and go on the next job."

The Force could’ve clinched their maiden Super W semi-finals berth in Laukota on Saturday but were unable to get the win despite plenty of possession and field position.

The wet and wild conditions didn’t help their cause but Pomare said the Drua handled it better.

"Tough (conditions) to be honest,” she said. “Fiji brought it today.

“That's their conditions. They love transition rugby. And they beat us around the park today.

“Gotta give credit where it's due. They deserved the win.”

After trailing 12-0 at half-time, the Force pressed for a way back with Rosie Ebbage dotting from a driving maul, but the visitors couldn’t turn all that into points.

"I thought in that first half we were a little bit hard done by,” Pomare said.

“We got so many penalties and not many results and outcomes. We had one yellow card from it.

“We just couldn't capitalise at the end of the day. Gotta be better."

Pomare also brought up a quarter-of-a-century Super W century in Fiji, and she added: “It’s cool to get a bit of recognition. I would’ve loved to get a W but not our day today.”

Saturday’s game at UWA Sports Park is free entry. It will also be streamed live on Stan Sport, with regular updates at @WesternForce on social media.

Force make five changes to starting XV for Waratahs clash

Wed, Apr 3, 2024, 10:57 AM

The Western Force have made five changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s free entry Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s clash with the NSW Waratahs from 3:05pm WST at UWA Sports Park.

Force head coach Dylan Parsons and his team have backed squad depth to freshen up the line-up where victory will lock in a maiden Super W semi-finals berth for the club.

Japan international Hinata Komaki and Black Ferns squad member Harono Te Iringa both come into the front row, replacing Alapeta Ngauamo and Natsuki Kashiwagi who move to the Impact Squad.

Experienced Kalamunda lock Libya Teepa and former Super W Player of the Year Lucy Dinnen are added to the second row and back row respectively, replacing Rosie Ebbage and Brooklyn Teki-Joyce from last week’s starting side. Teki-Joyce is among the Impact Squad.

Former Queensland Reds fly-half Renae Nona gets her maiden starting opportunity at 10, stepping in for Nicole Ledington who’ll move to the Impact Squad. Cottesloe scrum-half Kendra Fell also comes into the 23 among the finishers.

Trilleen Pomare will captain the side once again, supported by Wallaroos lock Michaela Leonard as vice-captain.

The Force can secure a maiden Super W semi-finals spot with victory over the ladder-leading Waratahs. The WA club have never beaten the Tahs in Super W history but have a theme to “be the first” in 2024, having already knocked off the Reds for the first time a fortnight ago.

Saturday’s game will be preceded by games contested by the RugbyWA Regional Girls Under-16 and Under-18 teams from 12:15pm and 1:15pm respectively. Entry is free for all games during the community-themed afternoon.

The Super W game will be live on Stan Sport, while there will be regular updates @WesternForce on social media.

Game details

Western Force v NSW Waratahs

UWA Sports Park, Mt Claremont, 3:05pm WST

Live on Stan Sport

Force

1. Hinata Komaki
2. Sara Cline
3. Harono Te Iringa
4. Libya Teepa
5. Michaela Leonard (vc)
6. Lucy Dinnen
7. Anneka Stephens
8. Tamika Jones
9. Samantha Wood
10. Renae Nona
11. Saelua Leaula
12. Trilleen Pomare (c)
13. Sheree Hume
14. Haylee Hifo
15. Aiysha Wigley

16. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke
17. Alapeta Ngauamo
18. Natsuki Kashiwagi
19. Alanis Toia
20. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce
21. Kendra Fell
22. Nicole Ledington
23. Siutiti Ma'ake

Waratahs

1. Brianna Hoy
2. Brittany Merlo
3. Bridie O'Gorman
4. Kaitlan Leaney
5. Atasi Lafai
6. Leilani Nathan
7. Skye Churchill
8. Piper Duck (c)
9. Layne Morgan
10. Arabella McKenzie
11. Desiree Miller
12. Katrina Barker
13. Georgina Friedrichs
14. Maya Stewart
15. Caitlyn Halse

16. Siusiuosalafai Volkman
17. Emily Robinson
18. Eva Karpani
19. Annabelle Codey
20. Sera Naiqama
21. Tatum Bird
22. Waiaria Ellis
23. Rosie Ferguson

TEAM LIST: NSW Waratahs Women vs Western Force Women

Wed, Apr 3, 2024, 10:55 AM


NSW Waratahs Women have named their side to take on the Western Force in Round 4 of the Buildcorp Super Rugby Women's competition this Saturday at 6:05 PM AEDT at UWA Sports Park.

The Waratahs will travel to Perth to take on the Western Force in a top-of-the-table clash after defeating the Rebels on Good Friday 38-17.

The Western Force fell short against Drua 19-5 in Round 3, however, they still hold second position and will provide a tough battle for our women in blue.

Head Coach Mike Ruthven has named an unchanged starting line-up for the highly anticipated clash.

The only changes to Ruthven's outfit occur on the reserves list with Annabelle Codey replacing Hollie Cameron, and Rosie Ferguson named to make her Waratahs debut in place of Jacinta Windsor.

Despite the win over Melbourne, Ruthven will be looking for an improved performance from the side this week, after the Waratahs took their foot off the accelerator in the second half and invited the Rebels back into the contest.

"The first half was awesome against the Rebels and we laid a great platform but going into the match against the Force something that we’ve really got to work on is closing out games," said star winger Maya Stewart, who's scored seven tries in her past three games.

"Discipline was a massive issue for us in that second half. We piggybacked them down our end and they came away with a few points after doing so.

"We also went away from our physicality and let the game play into their hands.

"There’s a really good feeling within the team at the moment. Three wins from three games is unreal but we've definitely got room for improvement and we'll look to show that against the Force."


1. Brianna Hoy (11 caps)
2. Brittany Merlo (6 caps)
3. Bridie O'Gorman (23 caps)
4. Kaitlan Leaney (12 caps)
5. Atasi Lafai (11 caps)
6. Leilani Nathan (9 caps)
7. Skye Churchill (5 caps)
8. Piper Duck © (18 caps)
9. Layne Morgan (21 caps)
10. Arabella McKenzie (18 caps)
11. Desiree Miller (9 caps)
12. Katrina Barker (27 caps)
13. Georgina Friedrichs (vc) (20 caps)
14. Maya Stewart (20 caps)
15. Caitlyn Halse (9 caps)

16. Siusiuosalafai Volkman (3 caps)
17. Emily Robinson (29 caps)
18. Eva Karpani (20 caps)
19. Annabelle Codey (1 cap)
20. Sera Naiqama (22 caps)
21. Tatum Bird (11 caps)
22. Waiaria Ellis (3 caps)
23. Rosie Ferguson*

*Denotes potential debut

Match Details
NSW Waratahs Women v Western Force Women.

Saturday April 6 at UWA Sports Park.

Kick-off 6:05pm AEDT.

The match will be broadcast live and ad-free and Stan Sport.