The Western Force have made nine changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s final clash of the side’s three-game Japan tour against Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars and Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix.
The Force have named a 24-player team list for Saturday’s hybrid format, which will be played as two 40-minute games against different opposition.
The Force will face the Artemi Stars from 1:30pm WST, followed by the Phoenix from 2:25pm WST, having lost to the latter 27-24 in a standalone fixture last Sunday.
Among the nine changes are four additions to the forward pack including Wallaroos duo Alapeta Ngauamo and Michaela Leonard. New recruit Loretta Mailangi comes in at hooker, while Wanneroo’s Topaz-Jean Porter comes into the back row.
Kalamunda half-back Nicole Ledington comes into the starting side at scrum-half to play alongside vice-captain Grace Freeman.
Wests Scarborough winger Tizanae Kovacs earns her first start of the tour, with 2024 ACT Women’s player of the year April Downey to start on the other wing. Palmyra centre Ocean Tuhua will start at 13 alongside Wanneroo’s Ngamihi Monk.
Follow @WesternForce on X (Twitter) for game updates and across social media for updates throughout the tour. Unfortunately, there will be no live stream available for the game.
Game details
Western Force vs Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars / Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix
Saturday 2 November 1:30pm WST / 2:25pm WST
Tokyo
Western Force team list
Starters; Braxton Walker, Loretta Mailangi, Alapeta Ngauamo, Michaela Leonard, Rosie Ebbage, Topaz Jean Porter, Nami Dickson, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce; Nicole Ledington, Grace Freeman (vc), Tizanae Kovacs, Ngamihi Monk, Ocean Tuhua, April Downey, Sheree Hume
Reserves; Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (c), Hannah Palelei, Allana Sikimeti, Zoe Elliott, Sera Naiqama, Tamika Jones, Georgia Cormick, Cecilia Smith, Leilani Hills
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