Six Wallabies have all been named to return for the Western Force in Sunday afternoon’s match against the Fijian Drua at Perth’s HBF Park. Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Carlo Tizzano and Nic White will all be back in blue in round six.
Those Australian internationals missed last weekend’s heavy 55-33 loss to the Crusaders, with winger Macca Springer running riot with a record-equalling five-try haul at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium.
Nick Champion de Crespigny is also back in the mix. The backrower has been in fine form for the Force since debuting in the club’s colours earlier this season in the team’s nail-biting win over Moana Pasifika in round one.
Ryan Coxon and Nick Dolly come into the starting front row and are joined by Super Rugby veteran Tom Robertson. Captain Jeremy Williams joins Darcy Swain as the locking duo, while Will Harris, Tizzano and Champion de Crespigny are the three loosies.
White and Donaldson will link up in a talented halves combination, with Stewart and Sio Tomkinson just outside them in the midfield. Pietsch starts on the left wing, Harry Potter on the right, and former Queensland Red Mac Grealy out the back.
On the bench, Vaiolini Ekuasi is back for the Force after missing the last two matches to be with his partner for the birth of their daughter. Tom Horton will also look to provide impact as the replacement hooker, with Wallaby Bradon Paenga-Amosa missing this game.
This round six clash will kick off at 2:05 pm WST on Sunday, with a Super Rugby Women’s match between the Force and Drua set to follow at 4:50 pm WST.
Head-to-Head
Last 4 Meetings
Average Points scored
Western Force team to play Drua
Replacements: Tom Horton, Marley Pearce, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Reed Prinsep, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan Pasitoa
