At the end of the rugby union combine, scouts from the Western Force, ACT Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels had to make a case for the athletes they would select from the pool of 20 Pacific island players.

Western Force general manager Matt Hodgson set out to boost his forward pack. But he found an X-factor utility back he could not ignore.

Samoan players Penina Tuilaepa and Angelica Uila were obvious picks for his front row. They were group leaders off the field and hard-hitting slayers on it.

But Samoa's "little general", Saelua Leaula, also caught his attention with her speed and the way she would dart through a hole in the defensive line.

Hodgson had not realised her potential until the last day, when he saw her play in the Samoa and Tonga exhibition match.

But there was a problem. He only had funding for two players.

Western Force investing in Super W more than other clubs

Six contracts were sponsored through the Australian government's PacificAus Sports program. Only two players each for the three clubs. 

Hodgson was going to have to dip into his player budget.

Mining magnate and entrepreneur Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest is the owner of the Western Force.

He and wife Nicola approved a Super W recruitment budget with ethnic and cultural diversity to be front of mind.

One thing the Force considered about 25-year-old Leaula was she would be the only island-based player to receive a Super W offer for 2023.

The other athletes live in New Zealand or Australia. 

"The Force is quite fortunate that Nicola and Andrew Forrest are big into diversity and equality," Hodgson said.

"This allows the Western Force to take it very seriously."

Although there is still a long way to go before women see parity in rugby union, the Western Force has made inroads by becoming the first Australian Super Rugby club to pay its Super W players. 

Surprise offer was made to Leaula in Samoa by head of World Rugby

The PacificAus Sports-funded contracts were all announced early, but Leaula's offer was kept under wraps.

She was given the news by the chair of World Rugby, Sir Bill Beaumont, who was visiting Samoa at the time.

"I was very surprised," Leaula said.

"My dad is proud, my family are really happy."

Perth a long way from Leaula's Pacific Island home

Perth is roughly 8,000km from Leaula's home in Apia, Samoa.

Leaula knows moving to Western Australia will have its challenges.

"I will be far away from my family and friends, but I will be with the other Samoan girls," Leaula said.

There will be a full-time personal development manager who will connect the players with Samoan culture as well as other opportunities.

"A big idea for us is the three girls come together, and it's not just one coming into a system that's foreign," Hodgson said.

Although the initial contract is only for a year, Hodgson said the Force is looking for a long-term relationship.

"How can we get more for the girls other than rugby, is it education, is it employment?" he said.

"Hopefully it's not a one-year agreement, it's a multi-year agreement where the girls become part of the Western Force."

Western Force's winless Super W campaign

Despite not taking a win in this year's Super W compeition, the Force  belive the three new Samoan recruits will give them the edge in 2023.

The PacificAus Sports funding has empowered ACT Brumbies to lock in Tongan athletes Shonte To'a and Tilila Hifo.

Samoans Easter Savelio and Fa'alua loe Tugaga will join the Melbourne Rebels.

All players will arrive at their new homes and clubs in early January 2023.