Harry Potter produced some early magic in his return game for the Western Force and says it was simply “good to be back out there” after six months out.
Potter scored the Force’s second try in Saturday’s 73-19 victory over Perth Gold in the side’s final tune-up prior to flying out for their three-game South Africa spring tour.
The game marked Potter’s first competitive action since late March when he sustained a syndesmosis injury against Fijian Drua.
Potter played the first half against Perth Gold, dotting in the sixth minute with a breakaway try, running 60 metres after swooping on an errant pass.
“Really good hit-out against Perth Gold,” Potter told Force TV.
“Good to be back out there after a little while off. Pleased to be back at it.”
Potter’s return coincided with several new faces getting their first taste of action for the Force, meaning developing cohesion was important.
“We’ve only been together four weeks now,” Potter said.
“A few new players in. Bit of a new group. A few new plays in. Different coaches doing different things, so it was really good I thought.
“With all the changes in place, I thought the boys stuck together. Bit to review but all in all pretty good.”
Nic Dolly, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Josh Thompson, Sio Tomkinson and Mac Grealy were among the new faces in the starting XV, while Coby Miln impressed off the bench with a second-half hat-trick.
“I thought those guys were really good,” Potter said. “All the new guys put in a big shift.
“Unfortunately the second half got a little bit scrappy. But I’m sure we’ll see a lot more of those boys in South Africa.”
Potter made his Force bow 12 months ago in South Africa in the Toyota Challenge against the Cheetahs and was excited about the upcoming games against the Toyota Cheetahs plus Emerging Ireland and the DHL Western Province XV.
“It’ll be good this time,” he said. “A few different opposition and three games, I think the boys are looking forward to that.”
The Force depart for South Africa on Wednesday with the side’s first game against the Cheetahs from 1am WST Thursday 3 October live on Stan Sport.
2025 Force Memberships are due to go on sale in October at westernforce.rugby.
Western Force spring series tour squad:
Forwards: Albert Alcock, Sam Carter (vc), Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic Dolly, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Marley Pearce, Reed Prinsep (c), Tom Robertson, Dane Sawers, Darcy Swain, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Josh Thompson, Silafono Titiuti
Backs: Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Mac Grealy, Justin Landman, Ronan Leahy, Coby Miln, Divad Palu, Doug Philipson, George Poolman, Harry Potter, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Henry Robertson (vc), Patelesio Tomkinson
Western Force spring series tour matches:
Thursday 3 October, 1am WST: Cheetahs vs Western Force, Bloemfontein (Stan Sport)
Sunday 6 October, 7pm WST: Emerging Ireland vs Western Force, Bloemfontein (Stan Sport)
Saturday 12 October, 9pm WST: DHL WP XV vs Western Force, Stellenbosch (behind closed doors)
2025 Force Memberships are due to go on sale in October at westernforce.rugby.
