The West Australian takes a look at the Western Force squad ahead of Saturday’s Super W season-opener against the Brumbies.
The Force will field 10 club debutants including five Wallaroos.
1. Allana Sikimeti
Position: Prop
Age: 20
Super W games: 6
The emerging Wallaroos prop joined the Force after a breakout 2024 season with the Brumbies which lead to her international debut against Fiji. A modern front rower who is dynamic with ball skills, the young gun has huge potential and a genuine World Cup contender.
Camera IconAlliana Sikimeti. Credit: Daniel Carson
2. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke
Position: Hooker
Age: 25
Super W games: 19
Newly named Force vice-captain has been a fixture at the club since her debut in 2019 and was rewarded with a Wallaroos call up after impressive 2024 season where she scored three tries. With a reputation of being one of the toughest tacklers in Super W the WA local is a dangerous carrier and continues to develop since returning after the birth of her son Jade.
3. Braxton Walker
Position: Prop
Age: 25
Super W games: 2
Walker has forced her way into the starting line up after failing to break her way into the side in 2024. The Kalamunda front rower has shown significant improvement in the off-season.
4. Sera Naiqama
Position: Lock
Age: 29
Super W games: 26
Force pulled off one of many signing coups when they lured four time Super W champ and Wallaroos lock Naiqama over from the Warratahs. With 13 international caps to her name, the move to Perth was driven by her ambitions for World Cup 2025 selection and she will add experience and leadership to the side this season.
Camera IconSera Naiqama. Credit: Phil Hevron
5. Michaela Leonard
Position: Lock
Age: 29
Super W games: 30
The current Wallaroos captain is the most experienced player in the team with 30 Super W caps to her name. Has spent time playing in New Zealand (Matatu), England (Exeter) and France (Montpellier). With a decorated international career Leonard has 32 caps played at the 2021 World Cup and and is lethal at the line-out.
6. Tamika Jones
Position: Back-rower
Age: 21
Super W games: 11
Sidelined with a horror leg injury in 2023, Jones bounced back to play every game for the Force last season with her form earning her a an invite to Wallaroos training camps. With the goal of getting back into the national squad and making her debut the talented back-rower will be out to impress.
7. Anneka Stephens
Position: Back-rower
Age: 35
Super W games: 11
In 2024 the mother of four started all six games in as the Force qualified for Super W finals for the first time and was named MVP in Premier Grade after helping Wannaroo win the title. Her high work rate and competitive edge are key at the breakdown.
8. Ashley Marsters
Position: Utility
Age: 31
Super W games: 27
The most capped player in Wallaroo’s history Marsters has made 34 appearances in the green and gold including two World Cup appearances in 2014 and 2021. Born in the Cook Islands the 31-year-old came through the Victorian rugby pathway, eventually captaining the Melbourne Rebels before signing with the Force. Along with her international experience Marsters offers positional versatility with the ability to play as a hooker, back-rower and even in the backline.
9. Georgia Cormick
Position: Scrum-half
Age: 29
Super W games: 16
After filling as an injury replacement cover last year Cormick earned herself a full time contract for 2025 with two strong performances late last season. She made her debut for the Wallaroos in 2019 against Japan and has previously played for the Melbourne Rebels and spent the last two seasons in New Zealand in Super Rugby Aupiki where she won a title with Matatu in 2023.
10. Grace Freeman
Position: Fly-half
Age: 24
Super W games: 5
A ball-playing inside back who can play fly-half or inside-centre, Freeman made her Super W debut with the Rebels in 2024 where she played five games and lead Sydney Uni to a title. Earmarked as an emerging leader, the inside back will be hoping to claim the spot as her own.
11. Brooklyn Teki Joyce
Position: Utility
Age: 22
Super W games: 6
A promising utility, the Aranmore product spent 2024 playing in the back row as well and wing with her dynamic play earning her an Australia A call up where she scored two tries against Samoa.
12. Trilleen Pomare
Position: Centre/Fly-half
Age: 31
Super W games: 27
Named captain for the fifth straight season Pomare has only missed one game for the Force since their inception in Super Rugby. One of the most experienced players in the national team she has 32 caps and has represented the Wallaroos at two World Cups. Heart and soul of the team.
13. Cecilia Smith
Position: Centre
Age: 30
Super W games: 28
Wallaroos centre and 2023 Super W player of the year, Smith joins the Force as from the Queensland Reds, where she was captain in 2024. With the World Cup on the horizon, Smith was lured west for the opportunity to play alongside her Wallaroos centre partner and Force captain Pomare to give their combination the chance to strengthen head of the tournament.
14. Adi Vani Buleki
Position: Utility back
Age: 24
Super W games: 0
The Fijian Olympic star will make her Super W debut on the wing as she turns her attention from sevens to the 15 aside game. The 24-year-old will bring the x-factor with her speed, aerial prowess and power running.
15. Sheree Hume
Position: Outside back
Age: 33
Super W games: 6
The experienced utility back played six games for the Force and boasts a club record 77 caps for the Otago Spirit in the Farah Palmer Cup in New Zealand. She has the versility to play in a variety of roles joining the club as a full back but made an impact playing in the midfield in 2024.
16. Loretta Mailangi
Position: Hooker
Age: 25
Super W games: 11
Transitioning from back-rower to hooker, Mailangi moved over from the Brumbies where she played six games last season and was part of the 2019 premiership winning Waratahs squad. Selected in the Australia A squad the 25-year-old played played against Samoa and worked with Force coach Dylan Parsons who was assistant coach for Australia A.
17. Megumi Takagi
Position: Loosehead prop
Age: 31
Super W games: 0
Joining the Force as part of an exchange with Japanese club Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix the experienced loosehead prop is a dynamic and mobile front-rower.
18. Alapeta Ngauamo
Position: Prop
Age: 35
Super W games: 16
The front rower hailing from Queensland didn’t miss a game for the Force last season and became the oldest Wallaroo to debut at 35 after a call up to travel with the team to Ireland as an injury cover.
19. Libya Teepa
Position: Lock
Age: 33
Super W games: 12
The experienced Kalamunda lock has played 12 games across the past three seasons with the Force mainly used as an impact player. The mother of two is a consistent performer and brings experience and leadership to the field.
20. Pia Tapsell
Position: Back-rower
Age: 26
Super W games: 2
Known for her strong carries and aggresive defence, the Black Fern’s loose forward is back and fully fit after an injury interrupted two seasons with the Force. She has played seven games for New Zealand.
21. Ana Afuie
Position: Scrum-half
Age: 27
Super W games: 2
The dynamic half-back joins the side as an injury cover and has had previous experience at Super W playing for the Queensland Reds. A Manusina international, Afuie has twice been named Queensland Premier Women’s MVP.
22. Nicole Ledington
Position: Fly-half
Age: 21
Super W games: 15
The Kalamunda half-fly debuted for the Force in 2021 and started in 10 of the sides last 11 games. The Aranmore graduate spent time in Queensland playing in the top competition to gain further game experience.
23. Sammy Treherne
Position: Outside back
Age: 31
Super W games: 10
The former Reds and Rebels back was a late addition to the Force’s 2025 squad and is capped in both 15s and sevens rugby internationally. The 31-year-old’s experience, skills and game smarts will be a welcome addition as the club chases a maiden title.
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The post Super Rugby Women: Everything you need to know about the Western Force’s opening round squad first appeared on Rugby 247.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-02-28 10:10:13
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