Western Force v Lions, Saturday, 28 June @ Optus Stadium 8pm AEST

[Rugby Head]

1. Robertson 2. Dolly 3. Hoskins
4. Swain 5. Carter
6. Prinsep 8.Harris 7.CDC
9. White 10. Donaldson 11. Pietsch 12. Stewart 13.Tomkinson 14. Kuenzle 15. Grealy
16. BPA 17. Moli 18. Tauakipulu 19. Faifua 20. Ekuasi 21. Fines 22. Burey 23. Poolman

I have no idea on injuries fyi -oustide the front row Im guessing these guys aren't available
Beale & Proctor

Pretty handy looking team

 

[Wilson]

1. Robertson 2. Dolly 3. Hoskins
4. Swain 5. Carter
6. Prinsep 8.Harris 7.CDC
9. White 10. Donaldson 11. Pietsch 12. Stewart 13.Tomkinson 14. Kuenzle 15. Grealy
16. BPA 17. Moli 18. Tauakipulu 19. Faifua 20. Ekuasi 21. Fines 22. Burey 23. Poolman

I have no idea on injuries fyi -oustide the front row Im guessing these guys aren't available
Beale & Proctor

Pretty sure they'll start Koteka at 7 if he's fit, one of Prinsep/Harris to come off the bench.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Koteka has been very good when he's got his chances as well. He's a starting calibre 7 that allows actual impact from Harris or Prinsep from the bench that a 7 doesnt bring off the pine. The only impact 7 in Aus off the bench is Reimer because he locks down the ruck. Otherwise you are really just sizing down your pack.

I'd have Prinsep do the grind at the start then bring on Harris with size and athleticism.

 

[dru]

The irony

Hell yes.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

1. Robertson 2. Dolly 3. Hoskins
4. Swain 5. Carter
6. Prinsep 8.Harris 7.CDC
9. White 10. Donaldson 11. Pietsch 12. Stewart 13.Tomkinson 14. Kuenzle 15. Grealy
16. BPA 17. Moli 18. Tauakipulu 19. Faifua 20. Ekuasi 21. Fines 22. Burey 23. Poolman

I have no idea on injuries fyi -oustide the front row Im guessing these guys aren't available
Beale & Proctor

I agree your team looks better but they might be tempted to leave Burey at 10 and slot Donaldson into 15 if Burey has been running there at training the last couple of weeks.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Last couple of weeks only because Donaldson wasn't there over the guy you have trained and played with all year?

They don't forget the combinations that quick. No point in squad continuity year on year if that was the case.

Surely they revert to the strongest lineup available with Grealy at 15 and Donaldson at 10.

 

[Braveheart81]

FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ollie Hoskins, Sam Carter, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White (c), Alex Harford, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Matt Proctor, Mac Grealy, Ben Donaldson

Reserves: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle

 

[Rudderless]

4.30pm AEST

 

[Wilson]

I'm guessing they wanted stability which is why Donaldson just slotted in for Beale at 15, but this feels like a weird team on a few counts.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Hasn't Harford lucked out.

Cron must rate him over Burey as a legitimate option at 10.

 

[Wilson]

Hasn't Harford lucked out.

Cron must rate him over Burey as a legitimate option at 10.

Yeah, has really come from nowhere to end up as their second string 10. Particularly wild given the Force arguably went into the last couple of seasons with too many 10s (or 10ish players) - Donaldson, Pasitoa, Burey, Stewart, Kuenzle, Beale and Miln all have a reasonable degree of experience in the position and were with the Force before Harford signed on.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Last couple of weeks only because Donaldson wasn't there over the guy you have trained and played with all year?

They don't forget the combinations that quick. No point in squad continuity year on year if that was the case.

Surely they revert to the strongest lineup available with Grealy at 15 and Donaldson at 10.

looks like I was right. Just Harford not Burey

 

[Tazzmania]

Hasn't Harford lucked out.

Cron must rate him over Burey as a legitimate option at 10.

Harford was suggested by Leon McDonald who was aware of him from his time in Auckland.

'Unexpected': Meet Alex Harford - the Kiwi-born, Aussie-eligible flyhalf starting against the Lions

Kiwi-born Alex Harford was supposed to be preparing for another provincial season across the ditch.

Instead, a whirlwind 2025 has blown him into the Force's starting 10 jersey against the British & Irish Lions on Saturday.

READ MORE

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Happy with the team though, finally get to see Proctor. A lot of these guys will be right up for this game. BPA, Swan, Pietsch, Donno etc all have big points to prove

 

[drewprint]

Let's fucking go Force.

 

[Braveheart81]

 

[The Red Baron]

View attachment 22580

^ Check out this bunch of losers. Hope the Force smash them.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

looks like I was right. Just Harford not Burey

I don't get it. If available I'd want my best 10 and most consistent 15 in place but go getem Force.

Plenty of kicking ability for the Force I guess when you add White and Stewart into it.

Hardest selection for the Lions is getting a Welsh player on the park.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I think people are dreaming (eg Cameron Shepherd) if they think force are a chance of winning. We need to be realistic. It is 4 test teams put together (3 that are ranked higher than Aus) coming off a loss, playing the 4th ranked Australian super team, missing their 3 best players.
If force get within 30 that would be a great result

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Nup.

30/28 Force win.