The Western Force have named their 23-player team list for Saturday’s important SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 14 clash away to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
Perth Bayswater centre Reesjan Pasitoa returns to the starting side for the first time since the Round 5 game against the Crusaders, while Reed Prinsep and Sio Tomkinson also come into the XV after playing as finishers last Saturday night.
Alex Harford, who has joined on an injury cover contract, will make his debut as starting fly-half, with Ben Donaldson to be used as impact. Harford is a 25-year-old who has NPC experience with Auckland and Canterbury.
Force captain Jeremy Williams will bring up his 50th Super Rugby appearance in Saturday’s game.
The Force coaching staff have opted to manage a handful of players amid a hectic travel schedule, with regulars Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart and Nic White not making the trip.
Force head coach Simon Cron explained: “We always knew there were some real challenges in the draw this season.
“Out of the last five games, four of them have four-hour time zone shifts and each one of those involves anywhere between 11-17 hours travel door to door so we must maximise our chances of success.
“To do that we have tried to rotate some squad members who we feel are most at risk due to high minutes or lots of travel. This also gives other players in our squad a chance to step up which is critical for the long-term success of the club.”
Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa returns to the reserves following four games out due to an ankle injury. Lock Sam Carter, back-rower Titi Nofoagatotoa, winger George Poolman and scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa also are back in the matchday 23.
Nick Champion de Crespigny (head injury protocols) and Lopeti Faifua (calf) are both unavailable. Openside flanker Carlo Tizzano will also miss having been a late withdrawal last game due to a pectoral injury.
Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly and Tom Robertson form an unchanged front row, supported by Darcy Swain and 50-gamer Williams. Will Harris, Kane Koteka and Prinsep make up the back row.
Rising Star winner Henry Robertson continues as starting scrum-half alongside Harford, with Pasitoa linking up with Tomkinson in the midfield. Their returns mean Bayley Kuenzle moves to the right wing with Mac Grealy on the left and Kurtley Beale rounding out the back three.
Kick-off for Saturday’s game is 11:35am WST live on Stan Sport.
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Alex Harford, Mac Grealy, Reesjan Pasitoa, Sio Tomkinson, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Reserves; Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Sam Carter, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, George Poolman
Game details
Fijian Drua vs Western Force
Saturday 17 May, 11:35am WST
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Live on Stan Sport
Unavailable list
Nick Champion de Crespigny (head injury protocols)
Vaiolini Ekuasi (shoulder)
Lopeti Faifua (calf)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)
Harry Hoopert (knee)
Divad Palu (shoulder)
Marley Pearce (shoulder)
Dylan Pietsch (quad)
Matt Proctor (shoulder)
Carlo Tizzano (pectoral)
