Western Force sign 53-Test Japan international for Super Rugby Women’s

53-Test backrower Seina Saito headlines a series of announcements made by the Western Force this week, about two months out from the team’s Super Rugby Women’s season opener on June 14.

Ella Piesch, Halley Derera, Kahurangi Sturmey, Atawhai Hotene, Chiharu Nezuka and Aiysha Wigley have all committed to the Force ahead of the new campaign. These signings were all confirmed by the Force across four days.

Wigley was the latest addition to the roster, set for a return to the field after two seasons on the sidelines. The fullback was named the 2023 Premier Grade Player of the Year in Western Australia, before sustaining an ACL injury during the 2024 campaign with the Force.

But the addition of Saito, who has represented the Cherry Blossom 15 at three Rugby World Cups, stands out. The loose forward has made more than 50 Test appearances and has played overseas for the Chiefs Manawa in Super Rugby Aupiki.

“Seina is a very experienced and respected international player that came through our connection with Mie Pearls after our Japan Tour a few years ago,” Force coach Dylan Parsons said.

“She’s played at multiple World Cups and is one of the highest capped Japanese players as well and a former international captain.

“Seina is a number 8 but has experience at hooker during her time at Chiefs Manawa. Her flexibility really helps with our squad make-up. She adds that back-row quality in her primary position but is very comfortable and confident in the front row as a hooker, which gives us some depth.”

Three Force players have been named in the Wallaroos squad to take on the Black Ferns in a historic Anzac Day Test at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Samantha Wood has retained the starting role at scrum-half, while Nicole Ledington shifts to the bench after a few starts in the 10 jersey.

Michaela Leonard is set to become the most-capped players in Wallaroos history, named to start in the second row. Leonard will break the all-time appearance record previously held by Ashley Marsters, playing her 46^th Test in Wallaroos gold.

“It’s super humbling. It’s definitely not a position I would have thought that I would have been in, to have been fortunate enough to play the most games for the Wallaroos out of our history,” Leonard told RugbyPass this week.

“It’s really humbling, as I said. It’s something that’s really exciting and I don’t take for granted. I’m really proud to have that honour.”

2026 Super Rugby Women’s season draw

All times local

Round 1
2.05pm Saturday 6 June – NSW Waratahs v Fijian Drua – Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
1.05pm Sunday 7 June – Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane

Round 2
2.05pm Saturday 13 June – Fijian Drua v Western Force – King Charles Park, Nadi
2.05pm Sunday 14 June – ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs – Viking Park, Canberra

Round 3
2.05pm Saturday 20 June – Fijian Drua v ACT Brumbies – King Charles Park, Nadi
2.05pm Saturday 20 June – Western Force v Queensland Reds – TBC, Perth

Round 4
2.05pm Saturday 27 June – Western Force v NSW Waratahs – Palmyra Rugby Club, Perth
2.05pm Saturday 27 June – Queensland Reds v Fijian Drua – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane

Round 5
2.05pm Sunday 5 July – ACT Brumbies v Western Force – Viking Park, Canberra
4.05pm Sunday 5 July – NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds – Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Semi-finals
17–19 July

Grand final
24–26 July

Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final
Saturday 1 August – Leichhardt Oval, Sydney