Force rest three Wallabies for Drua amid hectic travel schedule

Wallabies Harry Potter, Hamish Stewart and Nic White will miss the Western Force’s upcoming clash with the Fijian Drua in Lautoka, with coach Simon Cron deciding to rest these matchday regulars amid a hectic travel schedule.

Those three Wallabies will miss the Force’s must-win round 14 clash at Churchill Park, and it’s a similar story for Carlo Tizzano, Nick Champion de Crespigny and Lopeti Faifua, who have all been ruled out of the match.

The Force have been boosted by the return of Wallaby Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who returns to the bench after missing the last four matches with an ankle injury. Sam Carter, Titi Nofoagatotoa, George Poolman and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa are also back in the 23.

With the Force sitting in ninth place, they have only two more matches to save their season, starting with this trip to Fiji before returning home to face the NSW Waratahs. But as coach Cron explained, it was still important to manage players during this period.

“We always knew there were some real challenges in the draw this season,” coach Cron explained.

“Out of the last five games, four of them have four-hour time zone shifts and each one of those involves anywhere between 11-17 hours travel door to door so we must maximise our chances of success.

“To do that we have tried to rotate some squad members who we feel are most at risk due to high minutes or lots of travel. This also gives other players in our squad a chance to step up, which is critical for the long-term success of the club.”

This is a milestone match for captain Jeremy Williams, who has been named to bring up his 50^th Super Rugby appearance, joining Darcy Swain in the second-row once again. Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly and Tom Robertson round out the tight five as the three front-rowers.

Will Harris joins Kane Koteka and Reed Prinsep in the loose forwards. In the backs, Henry Robertson will link up with Alex Harford in a new-look halves pairing, while Reesjan Pasitoa and Sio Tomkinson have been named in the midfield.

Former Queensland Red Mac Grealy has retained his place on the left wing, while Bayley Kuenzle starts on the right, with 95-Test Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale named at fullback. This match kicks off at 11:35 am WST on Saturday.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

22

31

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

100%

Western Force team to take on Fijian Drua

Starting XV: Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Alex Harford, Mac Grealy, Reesjan Pasitoa, Sio Tomkinson, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale

Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Sam Carter, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, George Poolman