Written by Ben Somerford on Oct 25, 2024 02:45 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
New signingCecilia Smith will make her Western Force bow in Sunday’s exhibition gameagainst Japanese champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix in the second game of the side’sJapan tour.
The Forcehave named a 26-player team list for Sunday’s game from 1pm WST in scenic Fujiyoshida,on the foot of Mount Fuji. The Force and Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix struck apartnership last year, involving trial games and player exchange, leading to thehistoric Japan tour.
Smith andMichaela Leonard are both added following Wallaroos duty where the pair helpedthe side win the WXV 2 title in Cape Town.
FormerSuper W Player of the Year and 17-cap Wallaroo Smith, who switched to the Forcefrom the Queensland Reds earlier this month, will start at outside-centre,adding experience to a youthful backline.
Leonard willstart from the bench, with Wallaroos and Kalamunda hooker Hera-Barb MalcolmHeke to lead the side as captain again. Fly-half Grace Freeman will be her deputyas vice-captain.
Smith isthe only change to the Force starting XV from last week’s hybrid 40-minutegames against Mie Pearls (19-12 loss) and Yokohama TKM (17-12 loss).
Sunday’sgame against Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix is the only standalone fixture of the Japantour, with the Force taking on the Phoenix along with Yokogawa Musashino ArtemiStars in the final fixture on Saturday 2 November across two hybrid 40-minutegames.
The Force’shistoric Japan tour marks the Club’s first off-season overseas games, offeringa valuable opportunity to build towards the 2025 Super Rugby Women’s seasonafter qualifying for the finals for the first time in Club history in 2024.
Follow@ WesternForce on X (Twitter) for game updates and across social media forupdates throughout the tour.
Gamedetails
WesternForce v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix
Sunday 27October 1pm WST
Fujiyoshida
WesternForce team list
Starters;Hannah Palelei, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Braxton Walker, Sera Naiqama, Rosie Ebbage, Tamika Jones, Nami Dickson, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce; Georgia Cormick, Grace Freeman, Leilani Hills, Ngamihi Monk, Cecilia Smith, Halley Derera, Sheree Hume
Reserves; Loretta Mailangi, Allana Sikimeti, Alapeta Ngauamo, Zoe Elliott, Michaela Leonard, Sofaia Talemaira, Topaz Jean Porter, Nicole Ledington, April Downey, Tizanae Kovacs, Ocean Tuhua
WesternForce Japan tour fixtures
Game 1:Western Force v Pearls / Yokohama TKM, Saturday 19 October 11am WST, Nagano
Game 2:Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix, Sunday 27 October 1pm WST, Fujiyoshida
Game 3:Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix / Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars,Saturday 2 November 12pm WST, Tokyo
