The Western Force have started their 2025 Super Rugby Women's pre-season with a resounding 45-6 win over Rugby Victoria in Sunday's trial game at Wanneroo Rugby Club.
The Force ran in five tries in an impressive first-half to lead 27-0 at the main break, before a tighter second half amid a raft of interchanges in personnel in a game played across four quarters in fine conditions at Wanneroo.
All in all, the Force scored eight tries across the 80 minutes. Australia A rep Brooklyn Teki Joyce dotted twice late to round out the scoring, with Fijian Olympic sevens flyer Adi Vani Buleki among those to impress in her Force bow with the opening try.
The winning start is a positive for the Force, who have two more trial games ahead of their Super W opener against the ACT Brumbies at HBF Park on Saturday 1 March.
Next weekend, the Force makes the journey to Brisbane for the side's second trial game against the Queensland Reds at Ballymore from 10:30am WST on Saturday 15 February.
Early on, Buleki showcased her immense pace and quality with the opening try down the left edge. With wind blowing across the field, Grace Freeman's conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Scrum-half Georgia Cormick dotted with a cheeky pick and go after Anneka Stephens' gruntwork kept the play alive.
Tenacious foundation Force back-rower Taylor Waterson added the third after a strong rolling maul 10 metres out, with Wallaroos hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke crossing in similar fashion for 20-0.
Black Ferns loose forward Pia Tapsell landed the fifth try before half-time with a strong pick and go off the back of the scrum, with Freeman's conversion successful this time for a 27-0 lead.
The Vics scored their only try of the game with the first blow after the long interval, but the Force hit back with Wanneroo back-rower Tamika Jones extending to get over. Kalamunda fly-half Nicole Ledington added the extras for 34-5.
Wests-Scarborough winger Teki Joyce got over in the corner, with the conversion successful. Teki Joyce added another in the corner for round out a 46-5 win.
Western Force 46
Tries: Buleki, Cormick, Waterson, Malcolm Heke, Tapsell, Jones, Teki Joyce x2
Conversions: Freeman 1/5, Ledington 2/3
Penalties: Nil
Rugby Victoria 5
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