Vaiolini Ekuasi’s return is the lone change to the Western Force starting side for Saturday’s Grass Roots Game against the Chiefs as they return to HBF Park for the first time since Round 1.
The Force has opted for continuity following a narrow loss away to the Hurricanes that rounded out the side’s three-game New Zealand tour prior to the bye.
Ekuasi returns at number 8 following a quad contusion, with Nick Champion de Crespigny reverting to blindside flanker.
RugbyWA club members, use this link with club code, for your 30% off discount
There are some changes among the reserves, with Argentine hooker Leonel Oviedo, Tongan tighthead prop Misinale Epenisa and utility back Divad Palu returning.
New signing Zac Lomax commenced training with his new teammates for the first time this week but the Force coaching staff have opted to give him more time before a potential debut.
The Force will hold the Club’s Grass Roots Game in Saturday’s Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific Round 7 fixture, celebrating and recognizing the incredible contribution rugby clubs make across WA. Kick-off is 4:35pm WST, with gates opening at 3:05pm.
The clubs, players, volunteers, officials, coaches and families form the foundation of our great game. As part of that, there’s 30 per cent off tickets for all RugbyWA club members, plus there’s $8,000 worth of Gilbert Rugby vouchers for the three most attended clubs.
Reigning Fortescue Premier Grade men’s and women’s champions Wanneroo will enjoy a lap of honour at half-time, while one junior and one senior representative from all WA rugby clubs have been afforded the opportunity to stand in the guard of honour as players run on to the field.
The Force has named the same tight-five and backline from the Hurricanes game.
Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Harry Johnson-Holmes form the run-on front row, with captain Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain in the locks.
Wallabies Champion de Crespigny and Carlo Tizzano are the flankers, with Ekuasi rounding out the back row.
Former Force Rising Star Henry Robertson starts again at scrum-half, alongside fly-half Ben Donaldson, who is currently equal second in Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year voting.
Experienced duo Kurtley Beale and George Bridge will form their midfield partnership again. Bayley Kuenzle and Darby Lancaster, who has scored three tries in his first three Force games, are on the wings, with Max Burey starting at full-back.
Beale will line up for his 179th Super Rugby appearance, making him outright seventh in competition history for most caps, within one of Christian Leali'ifano (180) in sixth.
RugbyWA club members, use this link with club code, for your 30% off discount
Game details
Western Force vs Chiefs
Saturday 28 March, 4:35pm WST
HBF Park, Perth
Live on Stan Sport (TV) & 91.3 SportFM (radio)
Western Force team list (WA allocated club)
1 Tom Robertson (Kalamunda)
2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Kalamunda)
3 Harry Johnson-Holmes (Palmyra)
4 Jeremy Williams (c) (Joondalup Brothers)
5 Darcy Swain (Associates)
6 Nick Champion de Crespigny (vc) (Cottesloe)
7 Carlo Tizzano (UWA)
8 Vaiolini Ekuasi (Kalamunda)
9 Henry Robertson (Wests Scarborough)
10 Ben Donaldson (vc) (Southern Lions)
11 Bayley Kuenzle (Associates)
12 Kurtley Beale (UWA)
13 George Bridge (Palmyra)
14 Darby Lancaster (Nedlands)
15 Max Burey (Wests Scarborough)
Reserves; 16 Leonel Oviedo (Joondalup Brothers), 17 Sef Fa’agase (Wests Scarborough), 18 Misinale Epenisa (Southern Lions), 19 Lopeti Faifua (Southern Lions), 20 Will Harris (Joondalup Brothers), 21 Nathan Hastie (Wanneroo), 22 Hamish Stewart (UWA), 23 Divad Palu (Nedlands)
SKG Radiology Unavailable List
Dylan Pietsch (foot) – short term
Feao Fotuaika (foot) – medium term
Alex Harford (shoulder) – long term
Doug Philipson (knee) – long term
RugbyWA club members, use this link with club code, for your 30% off discount
