“The Western Force is gearing up for an exciting pre-season trial against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, unveiling a 29-player roster that features fresh faces and returning talents. The team will travel on Wednesday for the match scheduled at 11 am WST on Friday at Marist College, marking their final preparation before the Super Rugby Pacific opener against Moana Pasifika on February 15 at HBF Park.
Key players making a comeback from injuries include Harry Johnson-Holmes (Achilles), Reesjan Pasitoa (shoulder), and Atu Moli (hip). Johnson-Holmes is one of seven new signings set to start, alongside Nic Dolly, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Divad Palu, and Mac Grealy. Tom Robertson, a Wallaby, returns to the front row after an ACL injury and a sabbatical at Oxford University, joining forces with newcomers Johnson-Holmes and Dolly.
Darcy Swain will face his former Brumbies teammates for the first time since his move to the Force, partnering with Jeremy Williams in the second row. The back row features homegrown Wallaby Carlo Tizzano at openside flanker, teaming up with Champion de Crespigny and Ekuasi. Veteran Wallaby Nic White and Nathan Sharpe medalist Ben Donaldson will lead the charge at scrum-half and fly-half, respectively.
On the wings, newly-capped Wallaby Harry Potter and Australia U20s representative Palu will start, with Grealy, a recent recruit from the Queensland Reds, at full-back. In the midfield, Wallaby Hamish Stewart pairs with Pasitoa, who is returning after missing the 2023 season due to an ACL injury and subsequent elbow and shoulder issues in 2024.
The Force’s bench includes 14 players, featuring five-cap All Blacks prop Atu Moli, who is back after hip surgery. Former Nathan Sharpe medalist Kane Koteka returns as a reserve after an 18-month hiatus from the Force. New signings Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Sio Tomkinson will also start from the bench.
While the game won’t be streamed, fans can stay updated through the Western Force and ACT Brumbies’ social media channels. The match promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and strategy as both teams fine-tune their squads for the upcoming season.”
Read more: https://westernforce.rugby/news/newcomers-returnees-headline-force-team-list-act-trial-202525
