The Western Force have been bolstered by the returns of Sam Spink and Nic White following injuries for Saturday’s Round 5 Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Queensland Reds at HBF Park.
Reigning Nathan Sharpe medalist Spink (calf) returns at outside centre after being unavailable for the past two games, while Wallabies scrum-half White is back at 9 after missing last Friday with a swollen knee.
Spink’s return sees a re-shuffle of the Force backline with Harry Potter moving to full-back and Bayley Kuenzle shifting across to right wing after impressing in his past two starts.
With Spink and White’s returns, Max Burey and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa move to the reserves. Hooker Ben Funnell also comes into the team as a finisher.
Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 4:35pm, is part of a double-header with the Force-Reds’ Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s game commencing at 2:05pm.
The double-header is themed Kids’ Round with the first 1,500 kids through the gates at HBF Park to receive a $20 food and beverage voucher to spend at the game. The vouchers will be distributed at Gate 1, via the Western Force Cheer Crew.
The game will be live on 9GEM and Stan Sport, while there will be regular updates @WesternForce on social media.
Game details
Western Force v Queensland Reds
HBF Park, 4:35pm WST
Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport
Force Team List
Starting XV: Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Jeremy Williams (c), Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Josh Bartlett, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman
