Super W 2025 Season Match Thread

[Tazzmania]

Saturday 1 March 2:05 pm WST - Western Force v ACT Brumbies at HBF Park, Perth,

FORCE (1-15):

1 Allana Sikimeti,
2 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke,
3 Braxton Walker,
4 Sera Naiqama,
5 Michaela Leonard,
6 Tamika Jones,
7 Anneka Stephens,
8 Ashley Marsters,
9 Georgia Cormick,
10 Grace Freeman,
11 Brooklyn Teki Joyce,
12 Trilleen Pomare (c),
13 Cecilia Smith,
14 Adi Vani Buleki,
15 Sheree Hume

Replacements:

Loretta Mailangi,
Megumi Takagi,
Alapeta Ngauamo,
Libya Teepa,
Pia Tapsell,
Ana Afuie,
Nicole Ledington,
Sammy Treherne

[GIGS20]

Tough for Nic Ledington to have to ride the bench after doing not a helluva lot wrong last year.

Not saying Freeman doesn't deserve the spot (because I wouldn't know) but Nic hasn't done anything wrong.

[Tazzmania]

I agree it is tough on Nicole, however having been at two of the pre-season matches I have become a serious fan of Grace Freeman.

I did not know who she was at the first game but the way she played she really stood out and I had to ask who she was, at the second game I kept on eye on her and really liked what I saw.

She has a very good body frame for flyhalf, she can tackle, she has a bit of speed and above all she can give the ball a very decent nudge and consistently so.

Put her on your potential future "Wallerroo" watch list.

[GIGS20]

I agree it is tough on Nicole, however having been at two of the pre-season matches I have become a serious fan of Grace Freeman.

I did not know who she was at the first game but the way she played she really stood out and I had to ask who she was, at the second game I kept on eye on her and really liked what I saw.

She has a very good body frame for flyhalf, she can tackle, she has a bit of speed and above all she can give the ball a very decent nudge and consistently so.

Put her on your potential future "Wallerroo" watch list.

I kind of assumed this would be the case, Hopefully Nic takes plenty of "learnings" from the experience and works her way back to a starting spot.

[Tazzmania]

Rugby.com.au Team of the Week for Round One.

1. Salanieta Nabuli (Fijian Drua)
Nabuli was excellent in the front row as the Drua demolished the Waratahs at scrum time.

In total, the Drua won six scrum penalties, five of which came against Nabuli's opposite player.

2. Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies)
The Wallaroos hooker delivered a typically reliable performance at hooker for the Brumbies.

Naden's ball carrying was strong, with a trio of tackle busts to go with, operating at close to 90% lineout efficiency.

3. Vika Matarugu (Fijian Drua)
Like Nabuli, Matarugu was a big influence at set-piece to help the Drua to victory.

She punished the new-look front-row in the scrums to inspire the visitors to the win.

4. Michaela Leonard (Western Force)
Leonard delivered a very strong defensive performance before coming off with injury.

The Wallaroos skipper led the way with 18 tackles without a miss, including a key turnover that led to a try minutes later.

5. Sera Naiqama (Western Force)
Naiqama was similarly strong for the Force alongside her new second-row partner.

The former Waratah recorded 11 crucial tackles whilst her carries were reliable as ever.

6. Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies)
Palu was brilliant and was the big reason why the Brumbies had a chance to win the game late.

The back-rower caused the Force troubles all day with 105 metres, five tackle busts, and two line breaks.

7. Chioma Enyi (ACT Brumbies)
Enyi's athleticism was a major point of difference for the visitors.

She backed up Paraone's break perfectly to cross for her second try in the space of three minutes, getting the Brumbies a sudden lead before the break.

8. Ash Marsters (Western Force)
It was a big performance for the Wallaroo in her club debut for the Force.

9. Kolora Lomani (Fijian Drua)
Lomani's delivery was superb all afternoon for the Drua in the win.

It kept the Waratahs on the back foot for the majority of the game, allowing the Fijian backline to unleash their skills.

10. Grace Freeman (Western Force)
The flyhalf was solid on her club debut and didn't look out of place.

The Sydney Uni product's kicking game was excellent whilst proving rock solid in defence.

11. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce (Western Force)
The flyer was excellent on the edge for the Force, showcasing her pace.

12. Merania Paraone (ACT Brumbies)
Paraone is one of the finds of the competition after an excellent debut for the club.

Her work to set up Enyi's try was excellent awareness and pace, finishing with two try assists, six tackle busts and three offloads.

13. Vitalina Naikore (Fijian Drua)
It took Naikore only seconds to light up the Waratahs with a record-breaking try that set the tempo.

The former NRL star led the game for line breaks (three) and tackle busts (seven).

14. Vani Buleki (Western Force)
The former Sevens star was right at home for the Force and formed a great partnership with Teki-Joyce.

Like Naikore, she had three line breaks and five tackle busts to go with a crucial try.

15. Luisa Tisolo (Fijian Drua)
Tisolo was a steady head at the back for the Drua to inspire them to victory.

She looked a threat with every carry along with providing a solid kicking game.

[Tazzmania]

Team to play the Tahs:

1 Allana Sikimeti,
2 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke,
3 Braxton Walker,
4 Sera Naiqama,
5 Pia Tapsell,
6 Tamika Jones,
7 Anneka Stephens,
8 Ashley Marsters,
9 Georgia Cormick,
10 Grace Freeman,
11 Adi Vani Buleki,
12 Trilleen Pomare (c),
13 Cecilia Smith,
14 Haylee Hifo,
15 Sheree Hume

16 Loretta Mailangi,
17 Hannah Palelei,
18 Alapeta Ngauamo,
19 Libya Teepa,
20 Rosie Ebbage,
21 Mio Yamanaka,
22 Nicole Ledington,
23 Ngamihi Monk

Tough ask with both Michaela Leonard and Brooklyn Teki Joyce out injured, but still a squad to give us a decent shout.

[GIGS20]

Team to play the Tahs:

1 Allana Sikimeti,
2 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke,
3 Braxton Walker,
4 Sera Naiqama,
5 Pia Tapsell,
6 Tamika Jones,
7 Anneka Stephens,
8 Ashley Marsters,
9 Georgia Cormick,
10 Grace Freeman,
11 Adi Vani Buleki,
12 Trilleen Pomare (c),
13 Cecilia Smith,
14 Haylee Hifo,
15 Sheree Hume

16 Loretta Mailangi,
17 Hannah Palelei,
18 Alapeta Ngauamo,
19 Libya Teepa,
20 Rosie Ebbage,
21 Mio Yamanaka,
22 Nicole Ledington,
23 Ngamihi Monk

Tough ask with both Michaela Leonard and Brooklyn Teki Joyce out injured, but still a squad to give us a decent shout.

Tapsell normally plays on the flank doesn't she?

Maybe we're planning to run them off their feet.

[Tazzmania]

A heartbreaking loss for the ladies, but what a great performance.

I think while it was a great all round team effort with everyone contributing, honourable mentions have to go to:

Pia Tapsell, for me she was the player of the match. We need to find a spot for her somehow in the starting team when Michaela returns.

Tamika Jones, Anneka Stephens and Ash Masters are making a very formidable and impressive hard working back row.

Grace Freeman looked a bit more nervous than previously but what she adds with the boot and solid tackling is adding more to our arsenal.

The Tahs backline (chock full of Wallaroos) was just too clinical and polished for us in the end.

This year is drifting away from us, but if we can hold onto the bulk of this team for another year, they are going to be strong title contenders in 2026.

[Garry Owen]

A heartbreaking loss for the ladies, but what a great performance.

I think while it was a great all round team effort with everyone contributing, honourable mentions have to go to:

Pia Tapsell, for me she was the player of the match. We need to find a spot for her somehow in the starting team when Michaela returns.

Tamika Jones, Anneka Stephens and Ash Masters are making a very formidable and impressive hard working back row.

Grace Freeman looked a bit more nervous than previously but what she adds with the boot and solid tackling is adding more to our arsenal.

The Tahs backline (chock full of Wallaroos) was just too clinical and polished for us in the end.

This year is drifting away from us, but if we can hold onto the bulk of this team for another year, they are going to be strong title contenders in 2026.

I wouldn’t be so quick to write them off given it is a top 4 finals series in a 5 team comp. Pretty even comp so wouldn’t be out of the question for a team to win it from 3rd or 4th

[Tazzmania]

I wouldn’t be so quick to write them off given it is a top 4 finals series in a 5 team comp. Pretty even comp so wouldn’t be out of the question for a team to win it from 3rd or 4th

You are correct, I forgot it was a four team final, I thought it was changed to a three team final.

We are certainly still in with a decent shot then.

[GIGS20]

You are correct, I forgot it was a four team final, I thought it was changed to a three team final.

We are certainly still in with a decent shot then.

I reckon we'll still end up behind the Drua and the Tahs unfortunately

[Tazzmania]

Rugby.com.au selected its Team of the Week for Round Two.

1. Salanieta Nabuli (Fijian Drua)
Another big scrummaging performance from the loosehead to set the tempo for the Drua at home.

Nabuli got the better of Wallaroo Eva Karpani for the majority of the afternoon, drawing two penalties in the first 30 minutes whilst making nine tackles without a miss.

2. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (Western Force)
Malcolm Heke was strong for the Force until a case of friendly fire left her with a nice souvenir on her forehead.

From her six carries, she had three tackle busts and 26 post-contact metres to complement a near-perfect performance at lineout time.

3. Bridie O’Gorman (NSW Waratahs)
O’Gorman was solid for the Waratahs as they recorded a crucial win.

She got through plenty of tough tackles in the first half whilst holding her own at the scrum battle.

4. Tiarah Minns (Queensland Reds)
Minns worked tirelessly in the tough conditions to inspire the Reds to victory.

She was incredible in defence with a perfect 22 from 22 tackles, 11 of which came in the final quarter as the Drua were rolling on attack.

5. Pia Tapsell (Western Force)
Tapsell was exceptional in replacing Michaela Leonard as she terrorised the Waratahs.

The former Black Fern was a class above, winning four turnovers in the second half as they just feel short.

6. Leilani Nathan (NSW Waratahs)
Nathan’s explosive charges got the Waratahs back into the contest and inspired them to victory.

The backrower produced a crucial break to reduce the margin to two with nine minutes to go, slamming the ball over the line to inspire the win.

7. Carola Kreis (Queensland Reds)
Kreis was huge in the win in all aspects of the game, starting with a crucial try in the 17th minute.

She had two big turnovers late in the first half, including one on half-time that would be the deciding penalty goal.

8. Ash Marsters (Western Force)
Masters started the game strong and continued this throughout the game, scoring the first try for the Force.

Following, Masters solidified her importance on defence, pilfering the ball from the Waratahs 5m from their tryline, stopping the home team from scoring to keep the Force in front for the majority of the game.

9. Layne Morgan (Queensland Reds)
Morgan delivered a quality outing for the Reds on her club debut.

Her speed around the ruck made a big difference in the first half as they built a commanding advantage, never hiding from having to make tough tackles.

10. Arabella McKenzie (NSW Waratahs)
McKenzie’s presence in the backline was massive as she calmed the Waratahs and helped direct them to victory.

She looked damaging when taking on the line with four tackle busts and two offloads whilst sitting up Leilani Nathan’s try with a lovely cutout spiral that put the backrower into motion.

11. Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs)
Miller carved up the Force from her first touch, inspiring the Waratahs to victory with a double.

She broke seven tackles and almost single-handedly kept them in the game before the late comeback.

12. Shalom Sauaso (Queensland Reds)
Sauaso solidified her status as one of the best young talents and showed why it’ll be such a shame she won’t be eligible for this year’s World Cup due to her impending NRLW move.

The teenager skittled Drua defenders all afternoon, beating seven tacklers and setting up a try with a brutal solo effort

13. Cecilia Smith (Western Force)
Smith’s class was on full display and nearly scored the decisive try to get the Force home.

She scored a classy try in the 64th minute to build a commanding lead, breaking three tackles and throwing two offloads.

14. Caitlin Urwin (Queensland Reds)
Urwin has continued her fine 2024 form and looked electric on the edge for the Reds.

The winger came up with a crucial five-pointer against the run of play to finish with two line breaks and four tackle busts.

15. Lori Cramer (Queensland Reds)
Cramer’s calm head at the back was a difference-maker for the Reds.

Her kicking was huge for the Reds at testing times throughout the game, often beating the first defender with the ball in hand.