Kurtley Beale has been named in the Western Force starting line-up to make his return from a long-term Achilles injury in Friday’s SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 12 game away to the Blues.
The experienced Wallaby, who played seven games for the Force after joining the club mid-season in 2024, has been named to start at full-back for Friday’s game from 3:05pm WST live on Stan Sport.
Beale has been sidelined since injuring his Achilles in June last year when he was on the cusp of a Wallabies recall. The 95-cap Wallaby has been rehabbing at the Force since the start of the year.
PURCHASE TICKETS TO FORCE'S 20TH-SEASON ANNIVERSARY GAME vs THE BRUMBIES
Beale’s return at full-back, means Mac Grealy shuffles to the left wing, with Bayley Kuenzle – who has scored two tries in two games since his own return from long-term injury – to start at outside-centre. The game also marks Kuenzle's 50th Super Rugby cap.
Captain Jeremy Williams returns to the starting side after being a late withdrawal due to calf soreness, while Reed Prinsep is elevated to number 8.
Fortescue Academy hooker Albert Alcock, 21, is in line for his Super Rugby debut as a finisher, following on from debuts to Doug Philipson and Fatongia Paea last round.
Atu Moli and Josh Thompson are also added to the reserves, with Wallabies scrum-half Nic White named to return from head injury protocols as a finisher. Tom Horton is unavailable due to head injury protocols.
The Force’s front row is unchanged, with Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly and Tom Robertson to start, with Williams joining Darcy Swain in the locks.
Nick Champion de Crespigny (18 tackles against Chiefs), Carlo Tizzano (20 tackles against Chiefs) and Prinsep make up the back row.
Henry Robertson impressed in his maiden start and holds his spot at scrum-half, with Ben Donaldson alongside him at fly-half.
Wallaby Hamish Stewart and Kuenzle form a new midfield, with Grealy and Harry Potter – who scored a double against the Chiefs – and Beale making up the back three.
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale
Reserves; Albert Alcock, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Will Harris, Nic White, Max Burey, George Poolman
Game details
Blues vs Western Force
Friday 2 May, 3:05pm WST
Eden Park, Auckland
Live on Stan Sport
Unavailable list
Vaiolini Ekuasi (shoulder)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)
Harry Hoopert (knee)
Tom Horton (head injury protocols)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (ankle)
Divad Palu (shoulder)
Marley Pearce (shoulder)
Dylan Pietsch (quad)
Matt Proctor (shoulder)
Tickets are on sale for the 20th-season anniversary game against the Brumbies at HBF Park on Saturday 10 May via Ticketmaster. Don't miss the celebration with past players. Get tickets here.
