Western Force coach Simon Cron is not expecting to be reaching for the Panadol when it comes to selection for the new Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season.
After the headache of juggling an injury-stricken squad last year, Cron recruited strongly, and now has a more pleasant dilemma - picking a side from the 2026 pick of the bunch for Saturday's Round One clash against the ACT Brumbies at HBF Park (kick-off 4:35pm).
Just don't call it a headache.
"Not a (selection) headache," he insisted at the CD Dodd Crono's Conference on Friday.
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"A very smart man once said to me selection is 80 per cent of your job.
"Sometimes we haven't been so much selection based.
"It's been more about the best players (available) on the field, bringing back players early from injury.
"For now, it's nice to have guys available.
"We haven't had that before."
The biggest problem last year was injuries to the tight five but the increased depth is illustrated by having Wallabies second-rower Darcy Swain in the reserves.
Swain picked up a calf injury in Wallaby camp and has been building his way back to fitness.
"The smartest thing for him is to bring him off the bench and limit his time out there, but what an amazing man to have come off the bench," Cron said.
"Usually (last year) guys come back from injury, we're flying them back in and they are having to start.
"Set piece is really important for us. Scrum last year, with our depth, we had some challenges.
"We are in a better spot this year."
One of seven Force debutants, four in the run-on side, for Saturday's game - dubbed 'For The Love Of Rugby' because it is Valentine’s Day - will be Perth born-and-raised scrum-half Nathan Hastie who has returned after three years with the Highlanders.
Hastie played for Wanneroo Districts until he was 17 and made nine appearances for the Highlanders in 2025, including seven starts, and also played for New Zealand’s U20 team.
"Hastie stays on the whole time. That's one of his big attributes," Cron said.
"What I mean by that is the ball's out of play, he's ready to play.
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"There's a penalty, he's ready to go.
"He's a front-line runner. All good halfbacks are.
"He's a Perth boy through and through, Roo Dog (Wanneroo) up until 17.
"We're always chasing to bring guys back from overseas who are Australian, especially if they originate from WA."
Saturday will be 20 years and four days since the Force's historic first Super Rugby game, ironically also against the Brumbies, at Subiaco Oval.
Cron said he was looking forward to seeing the Sea of Blue once again.
"We've aways had great supporters," he said.
"It's going to be a fun day of rugby.
"It's a great time for people to come with their families and kids."
The day will feature a double header with the Force taking on the Brumbies in Round 2 of Super Rugby Next Gen, kick-off at 1.50pm.
The match can be live streamed via the rugby.com.au YouTube channel.
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Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific game details
Western Force vs ACT Brumbies.
Saturday 14 February, 4:35pm WST.
HBF Park, Perth.
Live on Stan Sport (TV) & 91.3 SportFM (radio).
Western Force starting side: 1 Tom Robertson, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4 Jeremy Williams (c), 5 Franco Molina, 6 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny (vc), 9 Nathan Hastie, 10 Ben Donaldson (vc), 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 12 Hamish Stewart, 13 George Bridge, 14 Divad Palu, 15 Mac Grealy.
Reserves; 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Will Harris, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Max Burey, 23 Kurtley Beale.
ACT Brumbies starting side: 1 James Slipper, 2 Billy Pollard, 3 Rhys van Nek, 4 Lachie Shaw, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Rory Scott, 8 Charlie Cale, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 10 Declan Meredith, 11 Corey Toole, 12 David Feliuai, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 15. Andy Muirhead.
Reserves: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Toby Macpherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Hudson Creighton.
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