Aiysha Wigley set for long-awaited Force return in pre-season trial

Aiysha Wigley missed last year’s Super Rugby Women’s campaign, sustaining a long-term ACL injury during a round four clash with the NSW Waratahs in 2024. But the fullback has been named to return for the Western Force in a pre-season trial against the Manly Marlins.

Wigley will start at fullback, with coach Dylan Parsons unveiling a strong 27-player team for the match at Manly Oval on Sunday afternoon. This pre-season bout pits a Super Rugby Women’s outfit against a NSW Women’s Division One club.

Loosehead prop Hannah Palelei packs down alongside hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Zoe Elliot at tighthead, who recently debuted for the Wallaroos during the Pacific Four Series. Seina Saito is among the front-rowers providing cover off the bench.

New Force recruit Kahurangi Sturmey joins Michaela Leonard in the second row. Leonard became the all-time Wallaroos appearance record holder during Pac Four, starting against the Black Ferns in a historic Anzac Day Test.

Former Black Ferns forward Pia Tapsell has been selected at blindside flanker, with experienced backrower Anneka Stephens lining up on the other side of the scrum. Wanneroo loose forward Taylor Waterson is the other forward in the starting side, named at No. 8.

Teenager Ai Dickson will link up with former Wallaroos star Trilleen Pomar in a new-look halves pairing, with Ngamihi Monk starting at inside centre. Monk joins Wallaroos veteran Cecilia Smith in the midfield.

Recent Wallaroos debutant Brookyln Teki-Joyce and off-season signing Ella Pietsch will line up on the wings, with Wigley rounding out the First XV. Coach Parsons has gone with an extended bench, with unlimited substitutions available in the trial game.

There are five capped Wallaroos on the bench, including Samantha Wood and Nicole Ledington, who started multiple Tests together last month. Seina Saito, who represented Japan at three Rugby World Cups, is also among the replacements.

Western Force team to take on Manly Marlins

1. Hannah Palelei

2. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke

3. Zoe Elliott

4. Kahurangi Sturmey

5. Michaela Leonard

6. Pia Tapsell

7. Anneka Stephens

8. Taylor Waterson

9. Ai Dickson

10. Trilleen Pomare

11. Brooklyn Teki Joyce

12. Ngamihi Monk

13. Cecilia Smith

14. Ella Pietsch

15. Aiysha Wigley

Replacements

16. Seina Saito, 17. Allana Sikimeti, 18. Alapeta Ngauamo, 19. Sera Naiqama, 20. Nami Dickson, 21. Samantha Wood, 22. Nicole Ledington, 23. Halley Derera, 24. Atawhai Hotene, 25. Sofaia Talemaira, 26. Jiowana Sauto, 27. Hinata Komaki