Former Super W Player of the Year to debut during Force’s Japan tour

Former Super W Player of the Year and 17-Test Wallaroo Cecilia Smith will debut for the Western Force on Sunday afternoon in an exhibition game against Japanese champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix in Fujiyoshida.

Smith, who completed a move out west from the Queensland Reds earlier this month, has been named at outside centre for the second game of the Force’s Japan tour. Australia captain Michaela Leonard has also been named to provide impact off the bench.

Leonard recently captained the Wallaroos to a WXV 2 title in South Africa. Australia had struggled for wins under coach Jo Yapp before the World Rugby tournament, but the women in gold won all three of their matches in the Republic to take out the tiles.

With Leonard leading the way, Australia recorded clinical wins over Wales and hosts South Africa, before finally getting the job done against a formerly unbeaten Scotland side. Having Leonard and Smith back among the Force’s ranks will certainly come as a significant boost.

Smith is the only change to the Force’s starting XV after last week’s 40-minute games against Mie Pearls, which they lost 19-12, and Yokohama TKM (17-12 loss). It’s a welcomed inclusion, with the Force naming a 26-woman list for the clash at the foot of Mount Fuji.

Hannah Palelei, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Braxton Walker are the three starting front rowers, while former Wallaroo Sera Naiqama joins Rosie Ebbage as the two locks. To complete the pack, Tamika Jones, Mani Dickson and Brookyln Teki-Joyce are the loosies.

Georgia Cormick will link up with Grace Freeman in the halves, while Ngamihi Monk joins Smith in the midfield. Leilani Hills, Halley Derera and Sheree Hume will form a talented outside backs trio once again,

This weekend’s clash is the only standalone fixture of the Force’s Japan tour, with the team from WA taking on the Phoenix along with Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars in the final fixture of the trip on Saturday, November 2. They will be two hybrid, 40-minute matches.

Game details

Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix on Sunday, 27 October, at 1pm WST.

Fujiyoshida

Western Force team to take on Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix

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

Western Force 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