Extended Force team list named to take on Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix

Thu, Feb 22, 2024, 8:45 AM
by Ben Somerford

The Western Force have named a 30-member team list for Friday’s women’s pre-season trial game against Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix with Super W spots up for grabs.

The Force will take on the Japanese champions as part of a Friday night double-header from 4:30pm, followed by the men’s side facing the Hurricanes from 7pm at HBF Park.

Force head coach Dylan Parsons said every player would get minutes in Friday’s trial game which comes three weeks out from the Super W season opener against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday March 15 at HBF Park.

Parsons has instilled a theme of “being the first” in the Force women’s squad this year as the group aims to navigate unchartered territory in the 2024 season.

The Force head coach was excited about taking on the Phoenix, who are recently Japanese champions and will present a different style for his side.

The Force will use Friday’s game, along with Tuesday’s follow-up clash with the Phoenix, as valuable opportunities for players to push for Round 1 selection with spots up for grabs.

Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix

Friday 23 February, 4:30pm WST

HBF Park, gate 1 opens 4:15pm

Force team list

1. Alapeta Ngauamo
2. Sara Cline, Harono
3. 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
13. Rosie McGehan
14. Haylee Hifo
15. Aiysha Wigley

Hera Barb Malcolm Heke
Hannah Palelei
Braxton Walker
Libya Teepa
Alanis Toia
Kendra Fell
Renae Nona
Numi Tupaea
Seneti Kilisimasi
Katie Barnes
Lucy Dinnen
Siutiti Maáke
Zoe Gillard
Brooklyn Teki-Joyce
Emilya Byrne

Force pre-season trial games schedule

Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix – Friday 23 February 4:30pm, HBF Park

Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix – Tuesday 27 February TBC, UWA Sports Park

Melbourne Rebels v Western Force - Saturday 2 March, Melbourne TBC

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

Force women fall short against Japanese champions Tokyo

Fri, Feb 23, 2024, 7:11 PM
Nick Taylor

Western Force women went down battling 24-14 in a tough opening to their Super W pre-season series in Friday’s trial against Japanese champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix at HBF Park.

Force head coach Dylan Parsons used all of his 30-member extended match-day squad, giving every player a chance to push for spots for the Super W opener at home against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday March 15.

Parsons said: "For our first hit out it was one of those traditional trials where you get ups and downs.

"Using 30 players we knew there was always going to be clunky bits but some really good positives to take out of it.

"It was two big contrasting styles. We had our power game and their mobile fit and speedy game.

"It was great to get a first up hit-up against really good opposition.

"Little bit of errors came from players that have only just come into our group in the last few weeks.

"So, a little bit of learning from each other and how we are trying to play."

The game was played in blistering heat but there was no hiding in the shadows in a physical battle.

The Force went on the attack early, putting plenty of pressure on the visitors through the midfield, and went ahead after three minutes.

They opted against an easy three points, kicking for the line instead, and from the line-out hooker Sara Cline went over with Samantha Wood converting.

It took the Phoenix just five minutes to draw level when Suzuha Okamoto found the line under the posts with Yume Okuroda adding the extras.

And soon after flanker Misato Kuramochi put her side ahead after a scrum close to the line. Okuroda converted.

Force full-back Aiysha Wigley pulled her side back into the game when she carved through a hole in the Phoenix defence. Wood added the extras.

Phoenix, who came into the game off their full season, were full of running and keen to use the width of the field.

And, after Force fly-half Nicole Leddington went to the bin for repeated team infringements, the Japanese side used their advantage to get winger Yuina Yamamoto over in the corner, unconverted, to take a 19-14 lead at the break.

Parsons swung the changes in the second-half but the Force kept their fluency and held on to the ball for multi-phase passages of play.

They piled pressure on the visitor's line and lock Michaela Leonard thought she had crashed over but was ruled to have been held up.

The Force kept their shape well in defense for long spells but Phoenix finally cracked them out wide with Okamoto crossing for her second and the only score of the second half. In the dying minutes the home side pushed hard for their third try but could not add the finishing touch.

The Force continue their trial against Melbourne Rebels on Saturday, March 2 in Melbourne and Queensland Country on Saturday, March 9, from 4pm, at Southern Lions RUFC in Success.

Western Force

Tries: Cline (3'), Wigley (20')

Conversions: Wood 2/2

Penalties: Nil

Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix

Tries: Okamoto (8', 68), Kuramochi (13') Yamamoto (38')

Conversions: Okuroda 2/4

Penalties: Nil