Written by Ben Somerford on Oct 18, 2024 01:55 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
The Western Force’s 25-player team list for Saturday’s Japantour opener against the Pearls and Yokohama TKM in Nagano has been named withHera-Barb Malcolm Heke to skipper the side.
In a hybridformat, the Force will play two 40-minute games against the Pearls firstly,from 11am WST, followed by Yokohama TKM from 12pm WST at Sugadaira Rugby Field inNagano. The Pearls will also play Yokohama in a 40-minute game from 10am WSTtoo.
The Force women’s squad and staff flew out of Perth forJapan on Wednesday night ahead of Saturday’s opener.
Long-term Force stalwart and Kalamunda hooker Malcolm Heke,who made her Wallaroos debut earlier this year, has been named as captain forthe tour and will start the opening game in the front row alongside recentre-signings Hannah Palelei and Braxton Walker.
Malcolm Heke will be supported by reigning Rebecca Clough medallistSamantha Wood as vice-captain, although the scrum-half will start from thebench on Saturday after a whirlwind few weeks with the Wallaroos who won the WXV2 title last weekend.
Australia A rep Rosie Ebbage, new signing Grace Freeman and Walkermake up the leadership group for the tour.
Decorated off-season recruit Sera Naiqama, who arrived inPerth last month and is a four-time Super W winner and 13-cap Wallaroo, will beblooded immediately alongside Ebbage in the locks.
Wanneroo and Wallaroos talent Tamika Jones will also start,marking her return from a metatarsal stress fracture, alongside club mate NamiDickson and recent Australia A rep Brooklyn Teki-Joyce in the back row.
One-cap Wallaroo Georgia Cormick will start alongside Freeman- who recently won the NSW Jack Scott Cup with Sydney University.
Former Australia U18 hurdles champion and Australia rugby 7srep Leilani Hills and ex-ACT Brumbies flyer Halley Derera will start on thewings, with Wanneroo vice-captain Ngamihi Monk and Palmyra centre Ocean Tuhuain the midfield and Sheree Hume starting at full-back.
Front-rowers Allana Sikimeti and Alapeta Ngauamo are bothnamed as reserves fresh from being part of the Wallaroos squad that won the WXV2.
Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard is absent for Saturday’sgame, but she will link up with the squad in Japan ahead of the second game.
Follow@ WesternForce on X (Twitter) for game updates and across social media forupdates throughout the tour. Unfortunately, there will be no live streamavailable for the game.
Game details
WesternForce v Pearls / Yokohama TKM
Saturday 19October 11am WST
SugadairaRugby Field, Nagano
Western Force team list
Starters; Hannah Palelei, Hera-BarbMalcolm Heke, BraxtonWalker, Sera Naiqama, Rosie Ebbage, Tamika Jones, Nami Dickson, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Georgia Cormick, Grace Freeman, Leilani Hills, Ngamihi Monk, Ocean Tuhua, Halley Derera, Sheree Hume
Reserves; LorettaMailangi, Allana Sikimeti,Alapeta Ngauamo, Zoe Elliot, Sofaia Talemaira, Topaz-Jean Porter, Samantha Wood, Nicole Ledington, April Downey, Tizanae Kovacs
WesternForce Japan tour fixtures
Game 1:Western Force v Pearls / Yokohama TKM, Saturday 19 October 11am WST, Nagano
Game 2:Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix, Sunday 27 October 1pm WST, Fujiyoshida
Game 3:Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix / Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars,Saturday 2 November 12pm WST, Tokyo
