Wallaroos halves headline Force changes for Brumbies pre-season trial

Wallaroos halves Samantha Wood and Nicole Ledington have been added to the Western Force starting side for their second pre-season trial, with the team confirming the extended 26-player lineup to face the ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

After beating Sydney club side Manly Marlins by a commanding score, the Force have turned their focus to a pre-season clash with a fellow Super Rugby Women’s side. The Brumbies are looking to bounce back after falling to the Queensland Reds in a trial last week.

Force coach Dylan Parsons has made six changes to the First XV that defeated the Marlins, which includes the selections of Wood and Ledington in the halves. Japanese international Seina Saito comes into the side at hooker, with two more changes to the pack.

Alapeta Ngauamo is set to pack down at tighthead prop, forming a new-look front row with Saito and loosehead Hannah Palelei. Another change is the selection of Nami Dickson at openside flanker, joining blindside Pia Tapsell and No. 8 Taylor Waterson in the loose forwards.

Parsons has stuck with the same second row pairing, with Michale Leonard lining up at No. 5 lock and serving as vice-captain. Leonard, who is the all-time Wallaroos appearance record holder, is joined by Kahurangi Sturmey.

In the backline, winger Halley Derera has earned a spot in the run-on side, set to wear the No. 14 jumper. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce lines up on the wing, and Aiysha Wigley has been retained at fullback after returning for the Force against Manly.

Outside of Force co-captain Wood and Ledington in the halves, Ngamihi Monk and Cecilia Smith will again take their place in the midfield. Trilleen Pomare is among those providing cover off the pine, with the co-captain named on the extended bench.

The Force are on an opening round bye to start the Super Rugby Women’s season, before kicking off their campaign away to the Fijian Drua on Saturday, June 13.

Western Force to take on ACT Brumbies

1. Hannah Palelei

2. Seina Saito

3. Alapeta Ngauamo

4. Kahurangi Sturmey

5. Michaela Leonard (vc)

6. Pia Tapsell

7. Nami Dickson

8. Taylor Waterson

9. Samantha Wood (cc)

10. Nicole Ledington

11. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce

12. Ngamihi Monk

13. Cecilia Smith

14. Halley Derera

15. Aiysha Wigley

Replacements

16. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, 17. Allana Sikimeti, 18. Zoe Elliott, 19. Sera Naiqama, 20. Sofaia Talemaira, 21. Ai Dickson, 22. Trilleen Pomare (cc), 23. Ella Pietsch, 24. Atawhai Hotene, 25. Jiowana Sauto, 26. Adi Vani Buleki