Round 5 Western Force v Queensland Reds
Star duo return to bolster Force line-up for Round 5 Reds' clash
Wed, Mar 20, 2024, 10:59 AM
Ben Somerford
The Western Force have been bolstered by the returns of Sam Spink and Nic White following injuries for Saturday’s Round 5 Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Queensland Reds at HBF Park.
Reigning Nathan Sharpe medalist Spink (calf) returns at outside centre after being unavailable for the past two games, while Wallabies scrum-half White is back at 9 after missing last Friday with a swollen knee.
Spink’s return sees a re-shuffle of the Force backline with Harry Potter moving to full-back and Bayley Kuenzle shifting across to right wing after impressing in his past two starts.
With Spink and White’s returns, Max Burey and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa move to the reserves. Hooker Ben Funnell also comes into the team as a finisher.
Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 4:35pm, is part of a double-header with the Force-Reds’ Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s game commencing at 2:05pm.
The double-header is themed Kids’ Round with the first 1,500 kids through the gates at HBF Park to receive a $20 food and beverage voucher to spend at the game. The vouchers will be distributed at Gate 1, via the Western Force Cheer Crew.
The game will be live on 9GEM and Stan Sport, while there will be regular updates @WesternForce on social media.
Game details
Western Force v Queensland Reds
HBF Park, 4:35pm WST
Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport
Force
1. Ryan Coxon
2. Tom Horton
3. Santiago Medrano
4. Thomas Franklin
5. Jeremy Williams (c)
6. Tim Anstee
7. Carlo Tizzano
8. Will Harris
9. Nic White
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Chase Tiatia
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Sam Spink
14. Bayley Kuenzle
15. Harry Potter
16. Ben Funnell
17. Josh Bartlett
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu
19. Lopeti Faifua
20. Reed Prinsep
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
22. Max Burey
23. George Poolman
Reds
1. Peni Ravai
2. Matt Faessler
3. Zane Nonggorr
4. Seru Uru
5. Ryan Smith
6. Liam Wright (cc)
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson
9. Tate McDermott (cc)
10. Tom Lynagh
11. Mac Grealy
12: Hunter Paisami
13. Josh Flook
14. Suliasi Vunivalu
15. Jock Campbell
16. Josh Nasser
17. George Blake
18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
19. Cormac Daly - Norths
20. John Bryant
21. Kalani Thomas
22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
23. Taj Annan