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 team list
Starting XV: Alapeta Ngauamo, Sara Cline, Harono Te Iringa, Michaela Leonard, Rosie Ebbage, Tamika Jones, Anneka Stephens, Keira MacAskill, Samantha Wood, Nicole Ledington, Saelua Leaula, Trilleen Pomare (c), Rosie McGehan, Haylee Hifo, 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 – Friday 23 February 4:30pm, HBF Park
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
