The Western Force will welcome back a host of players for the side’s final game of the 2025 SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific season against the NSW Waratahs at HBF Park on Saturday.
Wallabies pair Carlo Tizzano and Dylan Pietsch are both named to return following lay-offs with pectoral and quad injuries respectively, while all-action back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny is back following one week out in head injury protocols.
Wallabies trio Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart and Nic White all return having been managed for the Round 14 loss to the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
Ben Donaldson is back in the starting XV having come on as a reserve in Fiji, while Fatongia Paea comes into the team and is named to start at loosehead prop.
Paea’s addition sees him start alongside hooker Nic Dolly and tighthead prop Tom Robertson in the front row, with captain Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain starting in the locks. Tizzano and Champion de Crespigny return to the back row alongside Will Harris.
The backline additions mean Mac Grealy reverts to full-back with Kurtley Beale to impact as a finisher. Pietsch and Potter will start on the wings. White will play at scrum-half alongside Donaldson at fly-half, with Stewart and Bayley Kuenzle in the centres.
The Force will celebrate Members’ Round in the Club’s final regular season game of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season against the ‘Tahs, kicking off at 5:35pm WST at HBF Park. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
Western Force team list
Starting XV; Fatongia Paea, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy
Reserves; Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ryan Coxon, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Reed Prinsep, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Henry Robertson, Alex Harford, Kurtley Beale
Game details
Western Force vs NSW Waratahs
Saturday 24 May, 5:35pm WST
HBF Park, Perth
Tickets via Ticketmaster
Live on Stan Sport & 9Gem
Unavailable list
Vaiolini Ekuasi (shoulder)
Lopeti Faifua (calf)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)
Harry Hoopert (knee)
Atu Moli (head injury protocols)
Divad Palu (shoulder)
Marley Pearce (shoulder)
Matt Proctor (shoulder)
Mitch Watts (ankle)
