Wallaby Ben Donaldson will come into the Western Force starting line-up along with newcomers Jack Daly and Henry Palmer for the final Super Rugby AUS round-robin game against the Queensland Reds on Sunday.
The Force will host the Reds at 2:30pm local time at Palmyra Rugby Union Club’s Tompkins Park on Sunday, as part of a free entry triple-header with the Force U19s (12:30pm) and Force U16s (10:30am) playing beforehand.
The Force have already clinched hosting rights for the Super Rugby AUS Grand Final but will look to take winning form into the decider.
Donaldson will start at fly-half after an impressive 20-minute, two-assist return from an adductor injury in last week’s 46-35 win over the ACT Brumbies.
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The Wallaby’s return to 10 forces a re-shuffle with in-form Max Burey reverting to full-back and Mac Grealy moving to the left wing.
Palmer and Daly, who both have international Sevens backgrounds, have earned starts after training strongly over recent weeks.
Irish openside flanker Daly, 27, who previously represented Ireland in Sevens and spent five years with Munster, will start in the XV.
Former Australia Sevens speedster Palmer comes into the run-on side on the right wing after playing in last month’s Shute Shield Grand Final, with Viliami Fine moving into the finishers as part of the re-shuffle.
Australia U20s talent Boston Fakafanua returns to the 23 as a finisher after missing last round due to head injury protocols.
The Force’s forward pack is unchanged except for Daly coming in for Koteka, who’ll freshen up before the final. Marley Pearce, Albert Alcock and Tiaan Tauakipulu will team up again in the front row.
Captain Darcy Swain and youngster Mitch Watts, who earned selection in the Super Rugby AUS Team of the Week, are named in the second row. Will Harris and Daly are the flankers alongside Vaiolini Ekuasi in the back row.
Scrum-half Henry Robertson partners fly-half Donaldson, with 95-cap Wallaby Kurtley Beale alongside athletic George Poolman in the midfield.
Grealy and Palmer will provide speed on the wings, with Burey rounding out the back three after his impressive two-try display against the Brumbies.
The Force have opted for a 5-3 split on the bench, with Wes Thomas, Max Sawers, Sean Paranihi, Max Johnson, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Fine and Fakafanua.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 2:30pm WST at Palmyra Rugby Union Club’s Tompkins Park. Entry is free.
The Force-Reds’ game will be preceded by the U19s’ clash from 12:30pm and U16s from 10:30am.
Full gameday information available here.
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Marley Pearce, Albert Alcock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Mitch Watts, Darcy Swain (c), Will Harris, Jack Daly, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Kurtley Beale, George Poolman, Henry Palmer, Max Burey
Reserves; Wes Thomas, Max Sawers, Sean Paranihi, Max Johnson, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Viliami Fine, Boston Fakafanua
Game details
Western Force vs Queensland Reds
Sunday 28 September, 2:30pm WST
Tompkins Park, Alfred Cove – Palmyra RUC
Free entry
Live on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel & Stan Sport
Preceded by Force-Reds U19s game from 12:30pm & Force-Victoria U16s game from 10:30am
