The Western Force has made a range of changes for their
Round 2 Super Rugby Next Gen clash with the ACT Brumbies as part of Saturday’s
HBF Park double-header from 2pm.
The Force is looking to bounce back after being humbled by
the NSW Waratahs in Sydney in Round 1, making seven changes to the starting XV
from last weekend.
Force Super Rugby Pacific squad member Joshua Smith
reinforces the front row, while Academy scrum-half Luke Aiken comes in at nine.
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Academy graduate Justin Landman is drafted into the squad
and named in the run-on side at fly-half.
Back-rower Daniel Grant, winger Johan Becroft, full-back
Tama Anderson and midfielder Fatani Fatanitavake – fresh from scoring in Round
1 – are also added to the starting XV.
The reserves are reinforced by the inclusion of prop Bradley
Kuhn and centre Jackson Ropata – who have been training with the Super Rugby
squad – along with Wests Scarborough lock Jackson Bridges and full-back Tom
Lambo.
Tighthead prop Smith lines up alongside Kalamunda loosehead
Max Sawers and Associates hooker Luke Megson on the front row, with Southern
Lions’ William Crew and Academy’s Max Johnson in the locks.
South African blindside flanker Daniel Grant starts in the
back row, with Academy duo Luke Holt-Brown and Nate Gallagher.
Aiken and Landman start as playmakers, with Evan Hooper –
who’s with the Force via the Club’s Rugby South Australia connection – and Academy
centre Fatanitavake in the midfield.
Cottesloe winger Becroft and Joondalup’s McGloin will start on
the wings, with Anderson – who trained with the Force’s 2025 Super Rugby AUS
squad – in at full-back.
The Force will be coached by Jeremy Thrush, Jonno Lance and
Chris Heiberg.
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Western Force team list
1.          Max Sawers
2.          Luke
Megson
3.          Joshua
Smith
4.          Will Crew
5.          Max
Johnson
6.          Daniel
Grant
7.          Luke
Holt-Brown
8.          Nate
Gallagher
9.          Luke Aiken
10.       Justin
Landman
11.       Johan
Becroft
12.       Evan Hooper
13.       Fatani
Fatanitavake
14.       Ryan McGloin
15.       Tama
Anderson
Reserves; 16. Ollie Barrett, 17. Zavier Hawira, 18. Brad
Kuhn, 19. Ollie McGinnity, 20. Jackson
Bridges, 21. Angus Cornish, 22. Jackson Ropata, 23. Tom Lambo
Game details
Western Force vs ACT Brumbies
Saturday 14 February, 2pm WST
Super Rugby Next Gen, Round 2
HBF Park, Perth
Live stream on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel
Secure your Round 1 tickets NOW via Ticketmaster. Tickets from $28 for adults & $14 for children.