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Stable Force line-up named for crunch Waratahs clash
Wed, May 15, 2024, 11:57 AM
Ben Somerford
Stability is the theme for the Western Force with only one change to the 23-player team list for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific Round 13 game against the NSW Waratahs at HBF Park.
Wallaby Issak Fines-Leleiwasa returns to the reserves after an ankle complaint to replace scrum-half Henry Robertson, who impressed in his 30-minute cameo in the 48-10 win over the Fijian Drua having been elevated to the squad on an injury cover contract for the past two games.
There is one change to the starting XV with Harry Hoopert, who will run out for his 50th Super Rugby game, elevated to loosehead prop. Marley Pearce will start as a finisher.
Ben Donaldson is also named at fly-half for his 50th Super Rugby game, coming against his former side. Lock Jeremy Williams will lead the side as captain.
The Force’s stability comes at the right time of the season with the side sitting two points outside the finals placings, rising to ninth after last week’s 48-10 bonus-point win over the eighth-placed Fijian Drua.
The Force players will be welcomed on to the pitch on Saturday with a Members’ Guard of Honour as part of Members Round, celebrating the Club’s loyal supporters.
Head to our Game Day Hub to see what's happening at the ground to celebrate Members Round.
Kick-off is 5:35pm WST with tickets available through Ticketmaster, along with the Force’s Flexi Membership, with four tickets to any of the remaining two games for only $75.
The game will be broadcast live on 9GEM and streamed on Stan Sport, with regular updates @WesternForce on social media.
Match Details
Western Force v NSW Waratahs
HBF Park, Perth
Saturday 18 May, 5:35pm WST
Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport
Western Force
1. Harry Hoopert
2. Tom Horton
3. Santiago Medrano
4. Jeremy Williams (c)
5. Izack Rodda
6. Will Harris
7. Carlo Tizzano
8. Reed Prinsep
9. Nic White
10. Ben Donaldson
11. Chase Tiatia
12. Hamish Stewart
13. Bayley Kuenzle
14. George Poolman
15. Kurtley Beale
16. Feleti Kaitu’u
17. Marley Pearce
18. Tiaan Tauakipulu
19. Lopeti Faifua
20. Michael Wells
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
22. Sam Spink
23. Henry O’Donnell
TEAM LIST: NSW Waratahs v Western Force
Wed, May 15, 2024, 11:55 AM
Waratahs Media
The NSW Waratahs have named their team to face the Western Force in Round 13 of the Super Rugby Pacific this Saturday at 7:35pm AEST at HBF Park.
The injury gods have again been unkind to NSW, forcing Head Coach Darren Coleman to shuffle the cards once more at the selection table.
Last week, the Waratahs lost experienced props Hayden Thompson-Stringer and Harry Johnson-Holmes to season-ending injuries.
Fortunately for NSW, the club has acquired the services of Enrique Pieretto from the Glasgow Warriors on a loan deal.
Despite arriving from Glasgow on Saturday, Pieretto is no stranger to the Super Rugby competition, after enjoying a successful spell with the Jaguares in his native Argentina.
The tighthead prop featured 17 times for the franchise on their run to the 2019 Super Rugby final, with New Zealand heavyweights Crusaders denying them a historic title.
The 29-year-old will line up in the front row alongside Jay Fonokalafi and Lewis Ponini, who has been promoted to the starting team.
On the reserves list, Ben Sugars retains his place after making his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Brumbies, whilst George Thornton and Brad Amituanai round out the front-row rotation.
The backline remains the same for the Waratahs, with Joey Walton retaining his place at outside centre after a try-scoring return from injury. Izaia Perese has also been included on the reserves list at the expense of Harry Wilson.
NSW will be looking to celebrate Captain Jake Gordon’s 100th match for NSW on Saturday against a Force side coming off a resounding 48-10 victory over the Fijian Drua in Round 12.
Waratahs
1. Lewis Ponini (Eastern Suburbs)
2. Jay Fonokalafi (Gordon)
3. Enrique Peiretto (Glasgow Warriors)*
4. Fergus Lee-Warner (Eastern Suburbs)
5. Miles Amatosero (Eastern Suburbs)
6. Lachlan Swinton (Sydney University)
7. Charlie Gamble (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Jed Holloway (Southern Districts)
9. Jake Gordon © (Sydney University)
10. Will Harrison (Randwick)
11. Dylan Pietsch (Randwick)
12. Lalakai Foketi (Manly)
13. Joey Walton (Gordon)
14. Triston Reilly (Randwick)
15. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood)
16. Ben Sugars (Randwick)
17. George Thornton (Northern Suburbs)
18. Brad Amituanai (Sydney University)
19. Hugh Sinclair (Northern Suburbs)
20. Langi Gleeson (Manly)
21. Jack Grant (Eastern Suburbs)
22. Tane Edmed (Eastwood)
23. Izaia Perese (Randwick)
*denotes potential NSW Waratahs debut.
Players unavailable for selection:
David Porecki - Achillies (Season)
Thomas Lambert - Knee (Season)
Archer Holz - Shoulder (Season)
Mesu Kunavula – Knee (Season)
Ned Slack-Smith - Concussion (Season)
Daniel Botha - Achillies (Season)
Mahe Vailanu - Knee (Season)
Angus Bell - Toe (Season)
Theo Fourie - Foot (Season)
Ned Hanigan - Neck (TBC)
Tom Ross - Knee (15+)
Julian Heaven - Shoulder (Season)
Max Jorgensen - Hamstring (Season)
Teddy Wilson - Concussion Protocols (Rd 14+)
Hayden Thompson-Stringer - Knee (Season)
Harry Johnson-Holmes - Achillies (Season)
Match Details
Super Rugby Pacific - Round 13: NSW Waratahs v Western Force.
Saturday May 18 at HBF Park.
Kick-off 7:35pm AEST.
The match will be broadcast live and ad-free on 9GEM and Stan Sport.
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Jordan Kaminski