Western Force head coach Simon Cron has named his team to take on Moana Pasifika at HBF Park on Saturday, March 11, with six changes to the starting lineup.
New-comer Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco starts in the back-row and will make his Force debut. The 27-year-old measures in at 105kg and 188cm and has the ability to also play in the centre. After spending time at the Sunwolves and included in the Waratahs lineup in 2021/22, he returns to Super Rugby with plenty of experience.
Tongan international Nikolai Foliaki earns his spot in the match day 23, prepped for his Super Rugby debut. Playing for Counties Manukau in the NPC 2019-22 he ventured to the West and has been involved in pre-season training for the past three months.
Standing at 203cm, Ryan McCauley returns as reserve lock, recovered from a short-term shoulder injury during pre-season training, he will run on, bolstering our lock stocks. Toni Pulu is back in the mix on the left wing, after sustaining a concussion in Round 1 against the Rebels.
With 141 Super Rugby Caps to his name, former All Black Jeremy Thrush will lead the team out on Saturday as run-on captain. Ian Prior will start as scrum-half and has been named vice-captain for the match. Felix Kalapu earns his start and will partner with Thrush in the second row for the first time.
The international front row remains unchanged, with Folau Fainga'a running out on his new home soil for the first time.
For the third consecutive week, Tim Anstee starts as blindside flanker, with Wanneroo product Ollie Callan backing it up at openside flanker.
Bryce Hegarty returns to HBF Park as flyhalf after an 80-minute performance on Saturday. Hamish Stewart and Bayley Kuenzle pair up as the inside and outside centre combinations, with Chase Tiatia regaining his start at fullback and also named co-vice captain for the match.
Michael Wells and lock Jeremy Williams are unavailable for selection after sustaining concussions in last week's match against the Queensland Reds.
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- Tom Robertson
- Folau Fainga'a
- Santiago Medrano
- Felix Kalapu Jr
- Jeremy Thrush
- Tim Anstee
- Ollie Callan
- Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco*
- Ian Prior
- Bryce Hegarty
- Toni Pulu
- Hamish Stewart
- Bayley Kuenzle
- Manasa Mataele
- Chase Tiatia
- Tom Horton
- Angus Wagner
- Siosifa Amone
- Ryan McCauley
- Jackson Pugh
- Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
- Nikolai Foliaki**
- George Poolman
* denotes Force debut
** denotes possible Super Rugby debut
