Freeman set for Western Force return more than 450 days after injury

More than 450 days after suffering a significant foot injury against the Fijian Drua during the 2024 Super Rugby Women’s season, Western Force fly-half Grace Freeman has been named to return against the Queensland Reds in Wanneroo.

Freeman is in line to make an appearance at Wanneroo Rugby Club on Saturday afternoon, as the Force chase their first win of the season. The Perth-based side have only played one other match so far in 2026, going down to the Drua in a thriller last week.

The Force have made some other key changes to the run-on side, with winger Adi Vani Buleki replacing the injured Ella Pietsch in the No. 14 jersey. Yuna Sato has been brought into the First XV as well, linking up with team vice-captain Michalea Leonard in the second row.

Allana Sikimeti joins Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Alapeta Ngauamo in the front row, while the second row pairing of Sato and Leonard rounds out the tight five. Pia Tapsell and Anneka Stephens are the two flankers, while Seina Saito lines up at No. 8.

Force co-captain Samantha Wood will again link up with Nicole Ledington, just as the pair did in the first Wallaroos Test of the year. Trilleen Pomare will combine with Cecilia Smith in a highly experienced centre pairing.

Brooklyn Teki-Joye and Van Buleki are the two wingers, while Aiysha Wigley has been retained at fullback for the showdown at Wanneroo Rugby Club. Sera Naiqama, Ngamihi Monk and Freeman are among those names in the reserves.

This match at Kingsway Reserve will get underway at 2:05 pm WST on Saturday afternoon.

Western Force to take on Queensland Reds

1. Allana Sikimeti
2. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke
3. Alapeta Ngauamo
4. Yuna Sato
5. Michaela Leonard (vc)
6. Pia Tapsell
7. Anneka Stephens
8. Seina Saito
9. Samantha Wood (cc)
10. Nicole Ledington
11. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce
12. Trilleen Pomare (cc)
13. Cecilia Smith
14. Adi Vani Buleki
15. Aiysha Wigley

Reserves: 16. Chiharu Nezuka, 17. Hannah Palelei, 18. Zoe Elliott, 19. Sera Naiqama, 20. Nami Dickson, 21. Ai Dickson, 22. Grace Freeman, 23. Ngamihi Monk