NZ duo bolster Force women's team for trial game against Rebels

Thu, Feb 29, 2024, 8:55 AM
Ben Somerford

The Western Force have named an extended 28-member team list for Saturday’s second pre-season trial game against the Melbourne Rebels at Moorabbin Rugby Club.

Force head coach Dylan Parsons has opted to take an extended group across to Melbourne, naming an unchanged starting XV from the side that went down 24-14 to Japanese champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix last Friday at HBF Park.

New Zealand duo Pia Tapsell and Sheree Hume come into the team as reserves for the first time since signing with the Force, having both missed last Friday’s Tokyo defeat.

Tapsell is a 25-year-old six-cap Black Ferns loose forward, while Hume, 32, is an experienced full-back with 70 caps for Otago Spirit in New Zealand’s Farah Palmer Cup.

Trilleen Pomare will again lead the Force as the side gears up for the 2024 Super Rugby Women’s season which starts on Friday 15 March against the Rebels.

Prior to that, the Force will meet the Rebels from 11am AWST at Harold Caterson Reserve, home to the Moorabbin Rams.

The Force, who also had a scrimmage against Tokyo Sanyku Phoenix on Tuesday night, will conclude their pre-season trial games against Queensland Country on Saturday 9 March 4pm AWST at Southern Lions RUFC in Success.

Force

1. Alapeta Ngauamo
2. Sara Cline
3. Harono Te Iringa
4. Michaela Leonard
5. Rosie Ebbage
6. Tamika Jones
7. Anneka Stephens
8. Keira MacAskill
9. Samantha Wood
10. Nicole Ledington
11. Saelua Leaula
12. Trilleen Pomare (c)
13. Rosie McGehan
14. Haylee Hifo
15. Aiysha Wigley

Reserves: Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Hannah Palelei, Braxton Walker, Libya Teepa, Pia Tapsell, Kendra Fell, Renae Nona, Siutiti Maáke, Katie Barnes, Lucy Dinnen, Sheree Hume, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Seneti Kilisimasi

Force pre-season trial games schedule

Western Force 14 Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 24

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

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

Force put on six tries in pre-season trial triumph over Rebels

Sat, Mar 2, 2024, 1:48 PM
Ben Somerford

The Western Force have rallied from an early deficit to produce an impressive six-try 38-10 win away to the Melbourne Rebels in windy conditions at Moorabbin RUFC on Saturday afternoon.

In the Force’s second game of their Super W pre-season, Tamika Jones, Sara Cline, Harono Te Iringa, Trilleen Pomare, Haylee Hifo and Libya Teepa all crossed in the six-tries-to-two triumph.

The Rebels had dotted first but the Force responded with their forward pack getting on top in the first half, while the lineout was strong throughout and the backs regularly found space.

The road win comes after the Force went down 24-14 to Japanese champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix last Friday and ahead of the side’s third and final trial game against Queensland Country at Southern Lions RUFC on Saturday 9 March from 4pm.

The home side had the early forward phases and went ahead via a maul inside the first 15 minutes, but the Force replied immediately after the 20-minute drinks break with Tamika Jones dotting and Samantha Wood converting.

Minutes later, Canadian international Sara Cline got on the back of a Force rolling maul to cross, with Wood’s conversion attempt missing off the post.

Exciting Academy product Rosie McGehan made a break but fell 5m short before half-time, with the Force leading 12-5 at the break.

McGehan combined with Aiysha Wigley in an exciting team move down the left edge early in the second half in a sign of things to come, before the imposing Harono Te Iringa forced her way over the line with Wood adding the extras in the 46th minute.

Wigley showed great composure in defence after a Rebels’ chip and chase, before Wallaroos lock Michaela Leonard had a try disallowed in the 58th minute.

In the 63rd minute, Black Ferns recruit Pia Tapsell – in her first Force appearance – played a key part in the lead-up play for Trilleen Pomare’s try with the Force skipper bursting clear. Lucy Dinnen converted for a 26-5 lead.

The Force backs combined well to spread play to the right edge where Haylee Hifo produced a deft chip and chase to cross, with Dinnen unable to convert.

The Rebels pulled a try back down the left edge, before the Force added another on the full-time siren with Teepa getting across after Leonard’s pass. Dinnen converted to seal a 38-10 win.

Prior to the women’s game, the men’s Force A side went down 33-31 to the Rebels A, with the visitors almost snatching victory with the final four tries of the game.

Henry Robertson scored a double, while Ollie Callan, Ollie Cummins and Ryan McGloin all dotted.

Force 38

Tries: Jones, Cline, Te Iringa, Pomare, Hifo, Teepa

Conversions: Wood 3/4, Dinnen 1/2

Penalties: Nil

Rebels 10