The Melbourne Rebels have overcome a red card to centre Ray Nu'u to post a gutsy 22-21 win over Western Force at HBF Park in Perth.
The five Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchises - the Brumbies, Reds, Rebels, Force and Waratahs - and the Fijian Drua have unveiled their squads for next season.
The Western Force’s first hit-out for 2021 saw a number of new recruits stake their claim for a starting spot in next week’s season opener following a highly entertaining narrow loss to the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park.
All four of the Western Force's Argentine recruits could make their debuts for the side against the Brumbies on Tuesday.
The Western Force have added depth to their backline by signing a former Queensland Reds playmaker on a two-year deal.
The Western Force have set their sights on producing a famous underdog triumph when they take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.
The match pitted the then two worst defensive sides against each other, but it was the Force’s defensive woes which continued. The Force ended up conceding eight tries in the record 57-5 loss.
Head Coach Tim Sampson has made two changes to the starting line-up as the Western Force prepare to take on the Queensland Reds at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night.
Captain Ian Prior will make his return from injury when the Western Force take on the NSW Waratahs at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast this Friday.
The Western Force will welcome back regular skipper Ian Prior and employ an exciting new centre combination when they face the Melbourne Rebels in its Super Rugby AU clash at Leichhardt Oval in NSW on Friday.