Western Force ring changes ahead of final Japan-tour clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force have made nine changes to their starting lineup for their final Japan-tour clash against Yokogawa Musashino Artemi stars and Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix on Saturday.

The Force have named a 24-player team list for this coming Saturday’s hybrid format – which will be played as two 40-minute clashes against different opposition.

They will come up against the Artemi Stars at 13.30 WST followed by followed by the Phoenix from 14.25 WST  – having lost to the latter by 24-27 in a standalone fixture last Sunday.

Among the nine changes are four additions to the forward pack which includes the Wallaroos duo of Alapeta Ngauamo and Michaela Leonard.

New recruit Loretta Mailangi comes in at hooker, while Wanneroo’s Topaz-Jean Porter takes up a spot in the loose forward department.

Scrumhalf Nicole Ledington come into the starting lineup and will parter with vice captain and flyhalf Grace Freeman.

Wing Tizanae Kovacks earns her first start of the tour, with April Downey to partner her on the wing while centre Ocean Tuhua will don the No.13 jumper in combination with Ngamihi Monk at No.12.

Western Force: 15 Sheree Hume, 14 April Downey, 13 Ocean Tuhua, 12 Ngamihi Monk, 11 Tizanae Kovacks, 10 Grace Freeman (vice captain) 9 Nicole Ledington, 8 Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, 7 Nami Dickson, 6 Topaz Jean Porter, 5 Rosie Ebbage, 4 Michaela Leonard, 3 Alapeta Ngauamo, 2 Loretta Mailangi, 1 Braxton Walker.
Replacements: 16 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (captain), 17 Hannah Palelei, 18 Allana Sikimeti, 19 Zoe Elliott, 20 Sera Naiqama, 21 Tamika Jones, 22 Georgia Cormick, 2e Cecelia Smith, 24 Leilani Hills.