Round 1 Western Force W v Melbourne Rebels W

[Burgs]

Force team list named for Super W season opener against Rebels

Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 10:57 AM
Ben Somerford

The Western Force have named 11 Club debutants for their 23-player team list for the Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s season opener against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night.

The Force’s Super W clash starts at 4:30pm WST as part of a double-header alongside the Force-Moana Pasifika game in Super Rugby Pacific from 7pm.

Trilleen Pomare will lead the side as captain, with 11 newcomers named to play including seven players making their Super W debuts.

Alapeta Ngauamo, Sara Cline, Rosie Ebbage, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Rosie McGehan, Sheree Hume, Haylee Hifo, Harono Te Iringa, Pia Tapsell, Lucy Dinnen and Renae Nona will all make their Force debuts.

Academy product McGehan is in line for her Super W debut, along with New Zealand trio Hume, Te Iringa and Tapsell, plus locals Teki-Joyce and Hifo and Canada international hooker Cline.

Ngauamo, Dinnen and Nona all joined the Force from the Queensland Reds in the off-season while Ebbage arrived after time with the NSW Waratahs.

Dinnen (nee Lockhart), who is a former Super W Player of the Year, joins from the extended squad as an injury cover player for Emilya Byrne (ACL).

The game will be live on Stan Sport, while there will be regular updates @WesternForce on social media, with kick-off from 4:30pm AWST.

Game details

Western Force v Melbourne Rebels

HBF Park, 4:30pm WST

Live on Stan Sport

Force

1. Alapeta Ngauamo *
2. Sara Cline *
3. Natsuki Kashiwagi
4. Michaela Leonard
5. Rosie Ebbage *
6. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce *
7. Anneka Stephens
8. Tamika Jones
9. Samantha Wood
10. Nicole Ledington
11. Rosie McGehan *
12. Trilleen Pomare (c)
13. Sheree Hume *
14. Haylee Hifo *
15. Aiysha Wigley

16. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke
17. Hannah Palelei
18. Harono Te Iringa *
19. Libya Teepa
20. Pia Tapsell *
21. Lucy Dinnen *
22. Renae Nona *
23. Saelua Leaula

* Denotes Force Debut


Rebels name team for Super Rugby Women's opener against Western Force

Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 11:32 AM
Rebels Media

The Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Women’s squad will officially launch their 2024 campaign this weekend, with a Round 1 hit out against the Western Force in Perth.

Following back-to-back trial games against Super Rugby Women opposition, that saw hard fought match ups against the Reds in Geelong and the Western Force in Moorabbin.

Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Women’s Head Coach, Jason Rogers, has named a team with new combinations aimed to maximise the starting team and play attacking rugby, after a dedicated and thorough preseason in Melbourne.

“A number of our players are debuting for the Rebels, the first time running out together as a Super Rugby team, representing themselves, their families and each other,” said Rogers.

The Rebels have named a front row led by Laiema Bosenavulagi, Jayme Nuku and Anastasia Mamea, while the experienced Easter Savelio will partner with Tiarah Minns in the second row.  

Vice-Captain Melanie Kawa starts on the blindside, returning to the squad in 2024, with the stalwart of Rebels Rugby leading the pack, alongside back row debutants Sui Pauaraisa and Grace Hamilton.

Lucy Brown starts at scrumhalf with Cassie Siataga locking down the 10 jersey after two solid showings during the preseason trials.

Teuila Pritchard and Harmony Vatau will bring pace to the wings alongside the secure Chanelle Kohika-Skipper at full back.

Captain and proud Victorian Ash Marsters will lead the team at outside centre showing her experience and versatility with the hard running Crystal Mayes joining her in the midfield.

Mary Tuaana, Jiowana Sauto and Paula Ioane complete the reserve front row contingent, with Sydney Niupulusu and Hollie Twidale complete the remaining forward reserves.

Sarah Hogan, Grace Freeman and Tamsin Barber round out the Match Day 23 for the Super Rugby Women’s opener.

The Melbourne Rebels face the Western Force in Round 1 of the 2024 Super Rugby Women’s season, kicking off at 7:30PM AEDT / 5:05 PM local time, Friday, March 15 at HBF Park.

The match will be shown ad-free, live and on-demand on Stan Sport.

Rebels

1. Laiema Bosenvulagi
2. Jayme Nuku *
3. Anastasia Mamea *
4. Easter Savelio
5. Tiarah Minns
6. Melanie Kawa (vc)
7. Sui Pauaraisa *
8. Grace Hamilton *
9. Lucy Brown *
10. Cassie Siataga *
11. Teuila Pritchard *
12. Crystal Mayes *
13. Ashley Marsters (c)
14. Harmony Vatau
15. Chanelle Kohika-Skipper

16. Mary Tuaana *
17. Jiowana Sauto
18. Paula Ioane
19. Sydney Niupulusu
20. Hollie Twidale *
21. Sarah Hogan
22. Grace Freeman *
23. Tamsin Barber *

* Denotes Rebels Debut

[Burgs]

In such a short season, this match will straight up determine if the Force girls are contenders or pretenders in 2024.
A massive recruitment for the Rebels in getting Wallaroos star Grace Hamilton back from NRLW and for the Force to get up she will need to be contained.
If that can be achieved then the Force should get it done as we have recruited very strongly, have performed well in the Pre-Season and of course are at Home.
If they play to plan I'm tipping a +14 win to the Force.

[GIGS20]

Ash Marsters has now played 2, 7, 8 and 13

I think in essentially that order

Is there anything that girl can't do?

[Burgs]

Is there anything that girl can't do?

Win the title...

She's a very good player

[Burgs]

Watched shorts of the first two Rounds of the Kiwi comp, very high standard from the outset, but some similar unexpected pain in the South Island!

[Burgs]

Force captain Pomare looking to start fast after 'frustrating' 2023 season

Wed, Mar 13, 2024, 3:05 PM
Nathan Williamson

Western Force captain Trileen Pomare is hoping to make sure last year's Fijiana upset isn't a one-off as they hunt for the finals in 2024.

The Force stunned the eventual champions in Perth, before getting blown out in the first half by the Brumbies with a shot at their maiden finals berth on the line.

Watch every game of the 2024 Super Rugby Women's season live and exclusive on Stan Sport

“It was definitely frustrating so we’ve learnt from that from last year. We were peaking at the wrong end of the season," Pomare told Rugby.com.au

“Super Rugby W is a sprint, not a long season so we really want to hit the ground running in round one. It took until round three until we found our stride to beat the Drua and then lost it in the back end of the season.

“We need to be peaking at the right time as a sprint."

Pomare is one of several players with international experience named in their side to face the Melbourne Rebels on Friday.

New Zealand trio Sheree Hume, Harono Te Iringa and Pia Tapsell will make their Force debuts alongside Canadian-capped hooker Sara Cline.

Former Super W Player of the Year Lucy Dinnen (nee Lockhart) headlines the bench after originally joining as injury cover.

Trilleen Pomare will lead the Western Force for a fourth straight season in Super W and she spoke to reporters following the Season Launch ahead of an exciting campaign.
“We’ve done a lot of our training around connection, we’ve been purposeful about giving up time within our training to build a connection so that’s been really intentional," Pomare explained.

“If you don’t have that connection, it doesn’t mean anything on the field. We need to drive that on and off-field behaviour.

“People come here looking for an opportunity and it’s an interesting space we’re in because we lead the way with multi-year contracts, full-time S & C and High-Performance managers so it’s definitely going to attract some heads, especially before World Cup 2025."

Pomare will lean on vice-captain Michaela Leonard for advice after the lock spent 2023 as the Wallaroos captain following Piper Duck's injury.

“It’s a massive honour to still be in the running for that captaincy spot," Pomare said.

“We have some great leaders amongst us, which I’ll be leaning on heavily throughout the season with Michaela Leonard in her second year in that vice-captaincy role is massive. She really owns that forward space, especially in lineouts

“We definitely challenge each other’s ideas and where the program needs to go and be so we’re just pushing each other to be better throughout the season.”

[Burgs]

Force feeling healthy mix of excitement and anticipation for Super W opener

Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 4:24 PM
Ben Somerford

Western Force head coach Dylan Parsons says there’s a healthy mix of excitement and anticipation ahead of their Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s season opener on Friday.

After an off-season full of positivity with the Club’s investment in the women’s program, the Force will host the Super W season opener against the Melbourne Rebels from 4:30pm Friday at HBF Park.

The club made history in the off-season with Parsons appointed as Super W’s first-ever full-time head coach, while captain Trilleen Pomare and vice-captain Michaela Leonard became the first Super W players to sign multi-year contracts.

The Force have recruited strongly with internationals like Natsuki Kashiwagi, Sara Cline, Pia Tapsell, Harono Te Iringa and Sheree Hume, along with Renae Nona, Alapeta Ngauamo, Rosie Ebbage and ex-Super W Player of the Year Lucy Dinnen from other clubs lifting expectations of a maiden finals campaign.

“A lot of excitement,” Parsons told reporters when asked about the mood. “At the end of a big pre-season, a lot of work has gone into it, the girls now get to run out and play the games that matter. We’re really excited to get out there.”

“There’s a bit of the unknown as well. There’s a good buzz. There’s been a lot of work and competition for spots. Once that squad went out, the whole team got behind and we trained really well this week.”

Parsons said the group felt a debt of gratitude to the Club for their investment in the women’s program, that has included additional dedicated resources in physiotherapy, nutrition, leadership, strength and conditioning.

“All that stuff behind the scenes is great,” Parsons said. “The girls have felt supported. That’s really important as through that support they feel like they can be themselves and go out and play rugby without all the other stuff they’ve had to worry about in the past.

“With that comes expectation as well. It goes back to the mindset, balancing expectations and not getting too far ahead of ourselves.

“It is something there and we do highlight that the club has invested a lot and we do want to pay back that faith as well.”

The Force will have 11 club debutants on Friday, including a raft of internationals and players from other clubs, but Parsons was excited to see local talent Rosie McGehan get her chance.

“Rosie is a proud moment for us as a club,” he said. “She’s a Kalamunda local, still only 19, straight out of school.

“Through her pre-season performance, she’s been able to get selected to start. It’s a massive testament to her and the Academy program she was part of as well.

“It’s not just about the quality of recruits but also the locals that are here and showing them that there’s a pathway.”

Dinnen’s injury cover addition from the extended squad comes following a season-ending ACL injury to Emilya Byrne sustained in the Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix trial game three weeks ago.

Parsons said the recruitment of Dinnen, who won the 2022 Super W Player of the Year with the Queensland Reds, was another endorsement for the club with the backrower seeking out a move.

“To bring that caliber of player to replace the injured Emilya is massive around what this program is doing,” he said. “It shows players are now wanting to come here. It’s a positive step.”

Kick-off against the Rebels is 4:30pm, with tickets available via Ticketmaster. View our GameDay Hub for more info about what's on.

The game is part of a double-header with the Force hosting Moana Pasifika from 7pm in Super Rugby Pacific. Both games are live on Stan Sport.

[Burgs]

Teuila Pritchard named to make Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby Women’s Debut

Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 1:23 PM
Rugby Vic Media

The two-time Lindroth Cup Premiership Player and reigning Alana Thomas Medal recipient will start on the wing this Friday night against the Western Force at HBF Park.

Hailing from the Eagle’s Nest in Endeavour Hills, 24-year-old Pritchard will become Rebel number 115 when she takes the field with jersey 11 on her back in Perth on Friday night.

Since arriving on the Victorian Rugby scene in 2022, ‘Ila’ has shown a willingness to learn, adapt her game and become a leader, most recently captaining her Lindroth Cup side Endeavour Hills to back-to-back premierships as well as the Victorian State Women’s Team at the Australian Rugby Shield.

Speaking on the opportunity to debut with the Rebels as they commence their 2024 campaign, Pritchard said she is pinching herself at the thought of running out on Friday night.

“Playing rugby growing up, you look to your idols on television playing rugby and you think to yourself maybe one day that could be you,” she said.

“For it to actually come to fruition is still surreal.”

A fullback by trade, Pritchard remains unphased lining up on the wing for the Rebels, forming a back-three with club teammate Harmony Vatau and Chanelle Kohika-Skipper.

“Coming from the back where you can see everything unfold and starting on the wing, you have this expectation in your mind of what your fullback wants from you,” she said.

Pritchard credits her rise to cracking into the Rebels Super Rugby Women’s Squad to her club coach at Endeavour Hills, Presley Naea.

“When it comes to micro-skills and the finer details, (Presley) is big on that,” she said.

“He is definitely one of the biggest influences in my game, alongside my close circle – Endeavour Hills teammates, my partner and my family.”

When asked about ‘Ila’, Naea had nothing but praise for his club champion, highlighting her growth both on and off-field as a testament to her as a person.

“Ila is a quiet achiever who leads through her actions,” Naea said.

“With a heart full of passion for the sport, Ila always puts her body on the line for her teammates. She embodies what it means to be a true team player - a fighter with an unrelenting drive to compete and never back down.

“Coaching her has been a pleasure; seeing what she's achieved fills me with pride and joy. Along with her Endeavour family, we recognize her tireless efforts leading up to this moment.”

Pritchard has no shortage of support for her debut, with Naea, fellow teammates, family and friends and the Endeavour Hills community right behind her.

“To say proud is an understatement, we have faith in her capabilities and are confident she will give it her all,” Naea said.

“We believe she will do a great job representing herself, us, and most importantly her family.

“Good luck Ila’, and the rest of the team. Go well and go hard!”

On behalf of Rugby Victoria, the Melbourne Rebels and Victorian Rugby community, we wish Teuila Pritchard all the best for her debut!

Tune into Stan Sport from 7:30PM AEDT to see the Melbourne Rebels take on the Western Force in Round 1 of the 2024 Super Rugby Women's season!

[Darren]

It wasn't all doom and gloom last night
From https://westernforce.rugby/news/fabu...season-2024315

Fabulous Force fly to bonus-point victory in Super W opener
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 6:52 PM

by Nick Taylor


Western Force opened their Buildcorp Super Rugby Women's campaign with an impressive 36-12 bonus-point win over Melbourne Rebels at HBF Park on Friday.

The Force ran in six tries with Academy product, winger Rosie McGehan, scoring two on debut, fellow winger Haylee Hifo, centre Sheree Hume - both also on debut - full-back Aiysha Wigley, and reserve Saelua Leaula all added five-pointers.

The Rebels crossed twice through Chanelle Kohika-Skipper and Cassie Siataga.

Force coach Dylan Parsons named 11 debutants in his 23-player squad, seven of them in the starting line-up.

"To come away Round 1 with a bonus point win is exactly how we wanted to start," Parsons said.

"Lots of learnings to take from it but the bonus point tops it off. Pretty happy with that.

"The tournament's a sprint. To get those bonus points is really crucial at the end of the competition.

"To set a marker around that just puts us a little space ahead and puts us in a position to take advantage of the next rounds coming."


Both sides probed early with strong salvos, some enterprising play and looking to maintain possession and pressure with ball in hand.

The Force looked to punch through the middle where scrum-half Samantha Wood, who had an outstanding game, was particularly dangerous when she sniped around the ruck.

There was plenty of midfield play but when the Rebels looked to go wide they were met with some stern defence from the home side.

The Force depth was crucial when Parsons went to his bench - known as the "impact squad" - as fatigue set in and they went in search of the bonus point.

Their set piece was solid, particularly the line-out, and turning down three points to opt for a line-out led to their first try as they spread the ball wide to Wigley who crossed on 11 minutes.

From one of their few kicks in the first-half the Force were able to mount a period of sustained pressure and on 27 minutes McGehan scored her first, Wood converted.

Two minutes before the break a strong tackle by Force flanker Anneka Stephens saw the ball pop up and seized by Hifo who raced 40 metres to score. Wood converted.

The Rebels hit back either side of the break.

Two minutes after the siren the Kohika-Skipper forced her way over after the Force were marched 10 metres for backchat, Cassie Siataga converted, to cut the Force lead to 12 points (19-7).

The Rebels edged closer three minutes after the restart when hooker Jayme Nuku crashed over. Unconverted.

Soon after, the Force turned down another three points, took the line-out where the forwards went to work, before a smart Wood pass put McGehan over for her second in the corner.

With the Rebels reduced to 14 after a yellow card to Sydney Niupulusu, Hume increased the Force lead, picking up a neat pass from McGehan. Unconverted.

The home side rounded off a fine performance when reserve Leaula crashed over on the final siren, Wood converted.

Western Force 36

Tries: Wigley (11'), McGehan (27', 48'), Hifo (38'), Hume (67'), Leaula (80)

Conversions: Wood (3)

Penalties: Nil

Melbourne Rebels 12

Tries: Skipper (40+2') Nuku (43)

Conversions: Siataga (1)

Penalties:Nil

[todd4]

I liked the way the womens scrum split the Rebels pack and pushed right through the middle of them.

[Burgs]

It was an impressive start to the season, but will reserve judgement on prospects until can see Fijiana and Reds tomorrow.
The Waratahs were raring to go today and will take some serious effort to beat.
Comparing the first two matches to what I've been seeing out of NZ, we are still a bit off the pace at a comp level.

[Burgs]

Red's let the Drua stay in the match with an ordinary scrummaging display.
As is sometimes the case in Women's Rugby still, the better skilled team isn't always winning.
Drua had a much bigger XV and made up for pretty ordinary skills with hard hitting in both Attack and D.
Drua will be tested next weekend against the Tahs and will be a better yardstick, while the Force would deserve favourite status against the Reds at Hie and a strong set piece unit.
On Round 1 observation, the rankings are probably pretty accurate, though possibly Brumbies above Rebels given the Tahs were more dominant.

NSW Waratahs Women
Western Force Women
Fijian Drua Women
Queensland Reds Women
Melbourne Rebels Women
ACT Brumbies Women

For the Reds, despite being Super W Player of the Year last year, I believe Ivania Wong is just too small for the bigger XV's bodies running at her.
Drua clearly favoured attacking her Wing. She lacks nothing in the heart department, but at 63kg she regularly gets swatted away.
She would be a great addition to the 7's program and would make a reasonable trade to get Maddie Levi into XV's after Paris for the WRWC next year.