The Western Force have strengthened their forward pack as they aim to defeat the Brumbies in Canberra for a second consecutive year in their pursuit of a Super Rugby Pacific finals berth.
Team Changes for Saturday's Match
Coach Simon Cron has made just two changes to the starting XV for Saturday evening's clash, with the most notable being the return of loose forward Vaiolini Ekuasi after his late withdrawal from last week's win over the Waratahs.
Cron also received positive news on the injury front in the prop department, with Wallabies loosehead Tom Robertson cleared to play despite suffering a head injury against the Waratahs.
The Force lost both Robertson and fellow front-rower Misinale Epenisa to head knocks in the same phase last week. Epenisa remains in concussion protocols, so Harry Johnson-Holmes will start in his place.
Finals Hopes on the Line
Despite their victory over the Waratahs last week, the Force sit seven points outside the top six. A loss to the Brumbies — who have lost three consecutive matches — would likely end their finals hopes, with only three games remaining after Saturday.
Former Brumbies lock Darcy Swain is set to celebrate his 100th Super Rugby game against the club where he spent most of his career. He has been named to partner Jeremy Williams in the second row, with the Force captain shifting to lock to accommodate the returning Ekuasi.
Ekuasi was a late withdrawal from the Waratahs game for personal reasons. Despite missing two games this season, he is equal-sixth in the league for carries, leads the Force in tackles with 117 (13 ahead of next-best Carlo Tizzano), and ranks third among his team in carry metres with 582.
Milestone and Bench Updates
Having re-signed with the Force for another two years this week, in-form winger Dylan Pietsch will play his 50th game as he starts on the left wing, with Zac Lomax again wearing the number 14 jersey.
With Epenisa out, homegrown prop Marley Pearce comes onto the bench as a backup loosehead, while Sef Fa'agase will deputise as a tighthead substitute.
Tongan international Feao Fotuaika is no longer on the injury list after overcoming a season-long foot issue, but he has not been deemed ready to play yet.
Western Force XV vs Brumbies
Saturday, GIO Stadium, 5:35pm WST
Starting XV: Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes; Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain; Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Carlo Tizzano; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson; Hamish Stewart, George Bridge; Dylan Pietsch, Mac Grealy, Zac Lomax.
Substitutes: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Sef Fa'agase, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale.
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