Wallabies duo return for Western Force
The Western Force’s front-row stocks have received a huge double boost after Wallabies forwards Tom Robertson and Folau Fainga’a were cleared to return for Friday night’s crunch clash with Fijian Drua at HBF Park.
Hooker Fainga’a has battled an Achilles heel injury all season and hasn’t featured since playing in the round-five loss to the Blues.
Prop Robertson is back after missing two matches with a calf strain.
Their experience and class could prove critical as the Force (3-7) attempt to snap a two-match losing run that has resulted in them tumbling to 11th spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.
Fijian Drua are four points ahead of the Force in eighth spot, making Friday’s clash a crucial encounter in the race for a top-eight berth.
Force No.8 Rahbni Vosayaco returns to the starting line-up following the birth of his son, with recent signing Isi Naisarani relegated to the bench.
Prop Angus Wagner is back after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Sevens star Max Burey retains his spot at five-eighth in an unchanged backline from the team that lost to the Crusaders 48-13 in Christchurch last week.
FORCE: Angus Wagner, Folau Fainga’a, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Ryan McCauley, Michael Wells (capt), Carlo Tizzano, Rahboni Vosayaco, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Manasa Mataele, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Zach Kibirige, Chase Tiatia. Res: Tom Horton, Marley Pearce, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Tim Anstee, Isi Naisarani, Ian Prior, George Poolman.