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Finals-bound Force make six changes to starting XV for Brumbies trip
Wed, Apr 10, 2024, 11:57 AM
Ben Somerford
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 XV
1. Hinata Komaki
2. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke
3. Natsuki Kashiwagi
4. Michaela Leonard (c)
5. Rosie Ebbage
6. Lucy Dinnen
7. Anneka Stephens
8. Tamika Jones
9. Samantha Wood
10. Nicole Ledington
11. Saelua Leaula
12. Siutiti Ma’ake
13. Sheree Hume
14. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce
15. Renae Nona
16. Sara Cline
17. Harono Te Iringa
18. Alapeta Ngauamo
19. Libya Teepa
20. Keira MacAskill
21. Kendra Fell
22. Dallys Tini
23. Haylee Hifo
Brumbies XV
1. Sally Fuesaina
2. Tania Naden
3. Iroha Kishimoto
4. Kate Holland
5. Ashley Fernandez
6. Siokapesi Palu
7. Lydia Kavoa
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra
9. Kolora Lomani
10. Faitala Moleka
11. Chioma Enyi
12. Kayla Sauvao
13. Harmony Ioane
14. Biola Dawa
15. Ashlea Bishop
16. Erika Maslen
17. Allana Sikimeti
18. Iris Verebalavu
19. Madeleine Gogala*
20. Loretta Mailangi
21. Bonnie Brewer
22. Kyah Little
23. Martha Fua
*Debut
Head Coach Scott Fava