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Kurtley Beale set for Western Force debut in crunch Crusaders clash
By Finn Morton
Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale will debut for the Force on Saturday evening when they take on the Crusaders in a crucial Super Rugby Pacific clash out west at Perth’s HBF Park.
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Beale, 35, signed a short-term deal with the Western Force earlier this month that will keep the 95-Test Wallaby at the club until the end of this season.
The 2011 John Eales Medallist has experience in a number of positions across the backline including fly-half and fullback, but has been named to wear the No. 15 jersey in round nine.
Beale will start the match at fullback while Australia international Ben Donaldson retains his hold on the starting spot at first five.
Argentina international Santiago Medrano returns to the First XV at tighthead prop, and the inclusion of Will Harrison is the only other change to the Force’s starting side.
Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton and Medrano are the starting front rowers, while former Wallaby Sam Carter joins former Maori All Blacks lock Thomas Franklin in a talented second row.
Will Harrison, Carlo Tizzano and former Hurricane Reed Prinsep round out the forwards.
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Nic White will captain the side from halfback this week, with Ben Donaldson joining the Wallabies veteran in the halves. Hamish Stewart and Sam Spink will line up in the midfield.
Chase Tiatia will start on one wing with Bayley Kuenzle on the other, and then there’s Beale out the back.
This clash between the two bottom sides on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder will get underway at 5:35 pm WST on Saturday.
Western Force to take on Crusaders
- Ryan Coxon
- Tom Horton
- Santiago Medrano
- Sam Carter
- Thomas Franklin
- Will Harris
- Carlo Tizzano
- Reed Prinsep
- Nic White (c)
- Ben Donaldson
- Chase Tiatia
- Hamish Stewart
- Sam Spink
- Bayley Kuenzle
- Kurtley Beale
Replacements
- Ben Funnell
- Marley Pearce
- Tiaan Tauakipulu
- Izack Rodda
- Michael Wells
- Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa
- Max Burey
- Henry O’Donnell
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