Western Force v British & Irish Lions 28 June 2025 Optus Stadium

[Tazzmania]

Cron, Hilton added to AUNZ Invitational XV coaching staff for Lions match

Western Force coach Simon Cron and Queensland Reds assistant Zane Hilton have been added to the coaching staff for the AUNZ Invitational XV team to face the British & Irish Lions in Adelaide......

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[Tazzmania]

Cron named AUNZ Invitational XV assistant coach for Lions clash

Western Force head coach Simon Cron has been appointed to a highly-credentialed trans-Tasman coaching panel for the AUNZ Invitational XV ahead of their match against the British and Irish Lions at the Adelaide Oval on July 12....

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[Transiting]

Thought about a team for the Lions game:

1. Players returning next year (where possible)
2. Australian eligible (where possible)
3. Not likely in the Wallaby 23 for Fiji (but still in the Wallaby squad)

Team:

1. Coxon
2. Dolly
3. Robinson*
4. Carter
5. Swain
6. Harris
7. Tizzano*
8. CDC*
9. IFL
10. Harford
11. Pietsch*
12. Stewart
13. Kuenzle
14. Leahy
15. Grealy
16. Alcock
17. Pearce
18. Smith
19. Faifua/Thompson
20. Ekuasi
21. Robertson
22. Pasitoa
23. Poolman

[jargan83]

I think Tizzano will be scratched from your team.

[Transiting]

So I took a guess at the 17 (supposedly) Force players that had the special training session with Schmidt and came up with the following:

Robertson
BPA
Dolly
Williams
Swain
CDC
Harris
Tizzano
White
IFL
Donaldson
Stewart
Kuenzle
Pietsch
Potter
Grealy
Beale

[Garry Owen]

So I took a guess at the 17 (supposedly) Force players that had the special training session with Schmidt and came up with the following:

Robertson
BPA
Dolly
Williams
Swain
CDC
Harris
Tizzano
White
IFL
Donaldson
Stewart
Kuenzle
Pietsch
Potter
Grealy
Beale

IFL would be the only question mark I would have on that. Could instead by Henry Robertson or Marley

[Tazzmania]

IFL would be the only question mark I would have on that. Could instead by Henry Robertson or Marley

Looks like it is Henry Robertson from the Photos posted today by Force media unit.

Photos more or less confirm Transisting was spot on

[jargan83]

Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt appears to have altered his stance slightly on the subject of releasing his Test stars for the British and Irish Lions’ pre-Tests tour games.

In mid-May, Australia’s head coach was adamant that he wanted to “safeguard” up to 25 first-choice players to make sure they did not pick up any injuries ahead of the series.

“The policy is that we’d probably be very keen to safeguard out what we perceive to be 23 or 24, 25, and then the rest of the squad for them to get the games and to get to play against the Lions,” Schmidt told reporters last month.

“We don’t want to deprive someone of the opportunity of playing against the Lions if they’re not going to get the Test jersey at the time.

“But we know that the Lions, you never get through unscathed, so we know that we’re going to need people.”

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/cric...ts/ar-AA1GuZZA

[James]

Looks like Hoskins is in. That's fantastic. What a way to finish. Shame we can't squeeze a year out of him.

[The InnFORCEr]

Homegrown Hoskins given dream retirement with unique one-game Force contract
Tue, Jun 17, 2025, 7:00 AM
Nathan Williamson


Hoskins announced his retirement last month but his club side Saracens has permitted him to join the Force for the one-off game at Optus Stadium.

The 32-year-old started his career with the Force in 2014, playing 26 games before heading overseas with London Irish.

Hoskins would record over 150 caps in the Premiership, eventually handed a lone Wallabies appearance in 2021.

“It’s such a poetic way to round it all up,” Hoskins said in a statement. “It just seems full circle to be able to come home and hopefully play my last game in front of my home crowd with my family there. I’m chomping at the bit, I can’t wait.

“A couple of weeks ago, when the Force got in touch with my agent, I was dumb founded. It was the quickest yes of all time.

“I’m really grateful Saracens were really accommodating to get the loan done. I feel really lucky to get this opportunity to play one last game for my hometown club, because I still love the Force.

“I was a fan before I was a player as a kid. I managed to play for them and to be back at Force HQ for the first time in 10 years, it’s very nostalgic. It’s still the same but also very different. To have one last game to finish it up is so poetic. I’m so grateful.”

The deal works perfectly for the Force, which has had front-row issues since the start of the year.

New recruit Harry Johnson-Holmes and Australia A prop Harry Hoopert have not featured all year due to injury, while regular tight-head Tom Robertson is set to play loosehead against the Lions.

“Ollie brings a wealth of experience and is such an open and positive person. He’ll help mentor the younger tightheads as well as add important big-game experience to the front row," coach Simon Cron said.

“It is no secret that we lost two props before the season started and then a number of our lads carried injuries throughout. The Wallabies coaches also requested to see Tom Robertson at loosehead, so therefore we needed a tighthead and Ollie was a natural target given his experience and background.

“He’s had a really good career, starting out here at the Force coming through the Club’s Academy into Super Rugby ranks, so this is a great story for WA rugby and for him personally.”

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/homegr...ntract-2025616

[Tazzmania]

Now thats the best news for ages, what a story.

Considering his mum was an integral part of getting the Western Force franchise to Perth, and she now gets to see him finish his career off with Force v Lions.

Thats the stuff that dreams are made of.

[WFDom]

Hopefully this is the first step to getting him back onboard

He’s still only 32

[Garry Owen]

Now thats the best news for ages, what a story.

Considering his mum was an integral part of getting the Western Force franchise to Perth, and she now gets to see him finish his career off with Force v Lions.

Thats the stuff that dreams are made of.

Yep great story and will help us put out a competitive side. Interesting that Wallabies have asked for Robertson to play loosehead, could be looking at him for the bench spot behind Angus Bell due to his versatility and provides a bit of security against fact Tupou could last 5 minutes.

Also a good sign that they may be allowing the rest of the Wallabies to play against the Lions for us

[bootsetal06]

Welcome home Ollie ….. great to see you out in Force colours. Always a fan !

[Tazzmania]

Looks like White, Pietsch, Swain, Robertson T, Nic Champion de Crespigny and Swain will be playing.