95-Check Wallaby Kurtley Beale has been named at fullback for the Western Force forward of this Friday’s conflict with the Blues, marking a exceptional return from an Achilles harm. Beale suffered the devastating harm in June final yr, whereas on the cusp of a Wallabies recall.
After becoming a member of the Drive halfway by the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, the skilled playmaker made seven appearances. Beale would later obtain the unlucky harm setback whereas enjoying for Randwick within the Shute Defend.
Beale has been rehabbing on the Drive for the reason that begin of the yr, and that onerous work has paid off with coach Simon Cron naming the Wallaby on this week’s beginning aspect. Mac Grealy has been very good at fullback this season however shifts to the left wing as a substitute.
Harry Potter will start on the right wing, while in-form utility Bayley Kuenzle moves into the midfield at outside centre. Kuenzle will partner Hamish Stewart, who lines up outside the new-look halves pairing of Henry Robertson and Ben Donaldson.
In the forwards, captain Jeremy Williams returns after being a late withdrawal from the side that played the Chiefs due to calf soreness. Red Prinsep is also elevated to the run-on side as the starting No. 8.
Ryan Coxon joins one-Test England international Nic Dolly and Tom Robertson in the front row, while captain Williams and Darcy Swain are the locks. Nick Champion de Crespigny starts at blindside flanker, with Carlo Tizzano on the other side of the scrum, and Prinsep at the back.
On the bench, Force Academy hooker Albert Alcock, 21, is in line to debut at Super Rugby level after being named in the reserves. This selection follows the debuts of Doug Philipson and Fatongia Paea last time out.
This match will kick-off at 3:05 pm WST on Friday.
Western Force team to play the Blues
Starting XV: Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale
Reserves: Albert Alcock, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Will Harris, Nic White, Max Burey, George Poolman
Unavailable
Vaiolini Ekuasi (shoulder)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)
Harry Hoopert (knee)
Tom Horton (head injury protocols)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (ankle)
Divad Palu (shoulder)
Marley Pearce (shoulder)
Dylan Pietsch (quad)
Matt Proctor (shoulder)
