Force team list named for final trial against Queensland Country

Thu, Mar 7, 2024, 11:00 AM
Ben Somerford

The Western Force have named their 29-member team list for Saturday’s third and final Super W pre-season trial game against Queensland Country at Success Regional Facility.

Southern Lions RUFC will host the clash as part of the Club’s 10s Tournament throughout the day from 8am, with the Force-Queensland Country clash kicking off at 4pm.

Lock Alanis Toia, Black Ferns loose forward Pia Tapsell, experienced scrum-half Kendra Fell and Tongan scholarship holder Siutiti Maake come into the starting XV that won 38-10 away to the Melbourne Rebels last weekend, with Rosie Ebbage, Keira MacAskill, Samantha Wood and Rosie McGehan making way.

Japanese front-rower Natsuki Kashiwagi comes into the Force team list for the first time as a reserve, having spent the past fortnight touring with Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix.

The game is the Force’s final tune-up prior to their Super W season opener against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday 15 March from 4:30pm as part of a double-header at HBF Park.

The game will not be streamed but follow @WesternForce on Twitter and Instagram for updates.

Force W XV

1. Alapeta Ngauamo
2. Sara Cline
3. Harono Te Iringa
4. Alanis Toia
5. Michaela Leonard
6. Tamika Jones
7. Anneka Stephens
8. Pia Tapsell
9. Kendra Fell
10. Nicole Ledington
11. Siutiti Maáke
12. Trilleen Pomare
13. Sheree Hume
14. Haylee Hifo
15. Aiysha Wigley

Reserves: Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Hannah Palelei, Braxton Walker, Natsuki Kashiwagi, Libya Teepa, Rosie Ebbage, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Lucy Dinnen, Nami Dickson, Renae Nona, Dallys Tini, Rosie McGehan, Numi Tupaea, Ariana Ruru-Hinaki.

Force pre-season trial games schedule

Western Force 14 Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 24 – Friday 23 February, HBF Park

Melbourne Rebels 10 Western Force 38 - Saturday 2 March, Harold Caterson Reserve, Moorabbin

Western Force v Queensland Country - Saturday 9 March 4pm, Southern Lions RUFC, Success

Force round out Super W pre-season with dominant win over Qld Country

Sun, Mar 10, 2024, 8:16 AM
Ben Somerford

The Western Force have run out comprehensive winners 77-0 over Queensland Country in the side’s final pre-season tune-up ahead of the new Super Rugby Women’s season.

The Force led 22-0 at the break before piling on nine second-half tries aided by a strong breeze in the second 40 on Saturday afternoon at Success Regional Facility, home to Southern Lions RUFC.

The side’s third and final pre-season trial game was played in front of a healthy local crowd at Southern Lions following an all-day 10’s Tournament held by the Club.

Local Southern Lions winger Haylee Hifo led the scoring with two tries, both in the first half, when the Force played into the breeze.

The visitors offered strong resistance in the first half but it was a lopsided affair after the break with the Force dominating territory and capitalizing on the scoreboard.

The Force end pre-season with two wins, over Queensland Country (77-0) and the Melbourne Rebels (38-10), and a hard-fought loss to Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix (24-14).

The Force will host the Super W season opener against the Rebels on Friday 15 March from 4:30pm at HBF Park, as part of a double-header with the Force men taking on Moana Pasifika afterwards from 7pm.

Hifo added another five-pointer on the stroke of half-time, helping the Force lead 22-0.

Ma’ake dotted in the 42nd minute after Otago Spirit outside back Sheree Hume’s intercept, before Hannah Palelei forced her way over.

Force were awarded a penalty try in the 52nd minute after great runs by captain Trilleen Pomare and Renae Nona, before the skipper dotted herself, swooping on an errant Queensland pass.

The tries kept coming with Lucy Dinnen crossing under the sticks after Rosie McGehan’s run down the left edge, with Brooklyn Teki-Joyce adding another try minutes later.

McGehan, roared on by her own fan club on the club’s rooms side of the ground, crossed after a strong run and feign.

Extended squad member Nami Dickson forced her way over in the 70th minute, before the visitors’ defence held up strongly, denying Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke on the line along with Braxton Walker.

But amid the unrelenting Force pressure, Libya Teepa wouldn’t be denied late on for a 13th try for the home side on the final siren.

Western Force 77

Tries: Hifo 2, TBC, Leonard, Ma’ake, Palelei, Penalty Try, Pomare, Dinnen, Teki-Joyce, McGehan, Dickson, Teepa

Conversions: Ledington 2/6, Dinnen 3/6

Queensland Country 0