Force lock in former Wallaroos captain as key trio re-sign for 2026

Former Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard headlines a talented trio of re-signings for the Western Force, with the club confirming their first additions for the 2026 Super Rugby Women’s campaign.

Leonard will be back next season along with Wallaroos scrum-half Samanatha Wood and Force playmaker Nicole Ledington, who have also put pen to paper on fresh deals, as the Perth-based side looks to build on a fourth-place finish in 2025.

Wallaroos lock Leonard returns for a fourth season with the Force, having made the move west from Canberra before the 2023 campaign. The second-rower has played 34 Super Rugby Women’s matches in total, including 15 caps out west for the Force.

Leonard started every match for the Wallaroos at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, making history throughout that tournament by joining an exclusive club of 40-Test Wallaroos. The 30-year-old finished the campaign with 42 international caps.

“Michaela’s re-signing not only shows her quality as a player, but also shows how she has chosen the Club to be her home,” Force coach Dylan Parsons said.

“She’s someone who we recruited into the program and has now re-committed, which is an endorsement for all the work that has been done around the club in setting up a program that people want to be a part of and commit to long term.

“We’re thrilled to have her re-sign, given she’s a leader in the Wallaroos, who’s also been to multiple World Cups. She’s become a influential leader within our group for a number of seasons now.

“Mac has been able to influence the young group coming through. She understands our values and what we’re about, so she’s able to help drive those values every day.”

Wood missed the entre 2025 Super Rugby Women’s season with a devastating injury, but returned in time for the World Cup. The halfback started against Wales at North Sydney Oval before the showpiece event, locking down the starting No. 9 jersey.

The 21-year-old started all four of Australia’s matches at the World Cup, including fixture against eventual finalists England and Canada. Wood brings a wealth of experience back to the Force as they push for Super Rugby Women’s silverware next year.

Ledington played every match for the Force in 2025, extending her club appearance tally to 20 Super Rugby Women’s matches. The fly-half didn’t go to the World Cup but has had a taste of the national team’s setup, called into Wallaroos camp last week.

“The resilience she showed with the journey she went on last year is something special. She missed all of Super W with injury but was able to prove people wrong and tick off a dream to play for the Wallaroos at a World Cup,” Parsons explained.

“She showed at the World Cup how important her skill set can be for teams. For us to be able to re-sign Sammy as one of our local players is an important strategy to the long term success of the program and her signing is another endorsement of what we’re building as well.

“As much as we missed her on the field last year, she was a big part of our season off the field and behind the scenes. However, it will be awesome to see her pull the jersey on and play her part on the field in 2026.”

“Nicole is another exciting one where we’ve been able to continue to invest in our local girls. It’s a reward for her continued hard work and development,” Parsons added.

“For her to get her first taste at a Wallaroos level recently, we’re excited to see how she comes back from that experience and helps our girls here build towards their own ambitions.

“Nicole’s point of difference is her silky skillset. She’s very good around catch-pass decision making, has great rugby instincts and is able to create for herself or others.”