The Western Force team list for the side’s final Super Rugby Next Gen game against the Queensland Reds has been confirmed with four changes to the starting line-up.
The Force, fresh from an exciting 32-19 win over the ACT Brumbies, will take on the table-topping Reds at Wanneroo Rugby Club’s Kingsway Reserve from 12pm WST on Saturday, live on Stan Sport and rugby.com.au’s Youtube. The game is free entry.
The home side has made four changes to the starting XV, with Wests Scarborough back-rower Jackson Bridges added to the forward pack.
Academy talent Mack Wrigley will start at fly-half with Justin Landman unavailable. Australia under-age rep and Academy winger Peni Naqau comes in on the right edge.
Nedlands full-back Migael De Lange, who hails from South Africa and was part of the Bulls’ U20s last season, is added at 15.
Force Super Rugby squad member Boston Fakafanua is added to the nine-player impacts with both sides permitted to use 24 players this round. Cottesloe scrum-half Cruz Remi and Academy prop Berakah Tuifaasisina are also added to the reserves.
The starting tight five is unchanged, with Kalamunda prop Max Sawers, Associates hooker Luke Megson and Force Super Rugby squad member Joshua Smith on the run-on front row. Southern Lions’ Will Crew and Academy lock Max Johnson start on the second row.
Bridges comes into the back row at blindside flanker, alongside Academy pair Luke Holt-Brown and Nate Gallagher.
Academy scrum-half Luke Aiken will team up with Wrigley, with Evan Hooper and Fatani Fatanitavake in the midfield.
Cottesloe’s Johan Becroft and Southern Lions flyer Naqau start on the wings, with De Lange rounding out the back three.
The Force will be coached by Jeremy Thrush, Jonno Lance and Chris Heiberg.
Game details
Western Force vs Queensland Reds
Saturday 21 February, 12pm WST
Super Rugby Next Gen, Round 3
Kingsway Reserve, Wanneroo Rugby Club
Live stream on Stan Sport & rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel
Western Force team list
1. Max Sawers
2. Luke Megson
3. Josh Smith
4. Will Crew
5. Max Johnson
6. Jackson Bridges
7. Luke Holt-Brown
8. Nate Gallagher
9. Luke Aiken
10. Mack Wrigley
11. Johan Becroft
12. Evan Hooper
13. Fatani Fatanitavake
14. Peni Naqau
15. Migael de Lange
Reserves; 16. Ollie Barrett, 17. Berekah Tuifaasisina, 18. Brad Kuhn, 19. Ollie McGinnity, 20. Daniel Grant, 21. Cruz Remi, 22. Boston Fakafanua, 23. Jackson Ropata, 24. Zavier Hawira
