The Western Force have named their squad to face the Bay of Plenty in their season finale on Friday, July 16 at HBF Park.
Coach Tim Sampson has named 12 local players in the 25-man squad, opting to reward their home-grown talent.
Get your tickets now for the deciding Test as the Wallabies face France!
Ian Prior captains the side starting at scrumhalf, joined in the halves by Jake McIntyre.
Kieran Longbottom and club stalwart Chris Heiberg will make their final appearance for the club after announcing their retirement, with Longbottom partnering Angus Wagner and Andrew Ready in the front-row.
Nedlands hooker Nick Hyde, Wests Scarborough back-rower Isaac Meo and UWA winger Byron Sharwood are amongst the local products handed their debut, with exciting back-rower Zantana Tupuono-Pomare also named on the bench.
“We are very excited to be playing back at HBF Park, given our last three games were on the road in New Zealand it feels like such a long time since we were at home in front of the Sea of Blue. We have a stiff opposition this week, they are a quality side so we are really looking forward to it,” Sampson said in a statement.
“It is pretty special to see nearly 50% of the matchday players as local products, it’s what we are striving to achieve here – an organisation that is going to tap into the local players and Friday night is a great sign of what we are trying to do.
“Zantana is a mad man, he is very quiet and humble, but he is really looking forward to Friday night. We just want him to go out and enjoy playing in front of the Sea of Blue, it will be a big occasion for him, but he hopefully uses his size and strength and does some damage out there.
“Kieran and Chris have been huge contributors to the club, going back many years. Kieran is a WA product, and he has been outstanding over many years. It’s sad to see a career coming to an end for someone who has been so loyal to the Force so hopefully we can put on a good performance for him on Friday night.
“Heizy (Chris Heiberg) is such a gentleman, he gives the club everything from training on the field to when they are in the gym. He is a great man."
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Meanwhile, the Bay of Plenty has named a formidable line-up as they prepare for the Bunnings NPC, co-captained by All Black Nathan Harris and Hurricanes scrum-half Luke Campbell.
Maori All Black Manaaki Selby-Rickit is joined in a strong tight-five by the likes of Tevita Mafileo, Nathan Vella and Jeff Thwaites.
Campbell will partner Kaleb Trask in the halves, with Chase Tiatia slotting into fullback.
Friday 16 July 7:45 pm AEST – Force v Bay of Plenty at HBF Park.
Want to get to the game? Make sure you’ve got your tickets beforehand!
FORCE (1-15): 1. Angus Wagner, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Ryan McCauley, 6. Jackson Pugh, 7. Ollie Callan, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior (c), 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Brad Lacey, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Grason Makara, 14. Richard Kahui, 15. Jake Strachan. RESERVES: 16. Nick Hyde, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Tom Robertson, 19. Zantana Pomare, 20. Isaac Meo, 21. Kane Koteka, 22. Michael McDonald, 23. Jack McGregor, 24. Byron Sharwood, 25. Jonah Placid.
BAY of PLENTY (1-15): 1. Tevita Mafileo, 2. Nathan Vella, 3. Jeff Thwaites, 4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 5. Stan Van den Hoven 6. Nikora Broughton, 7. Kohan Herbert, 8. Penitoa Finau, 9. Luke Campbell (co-c), 10. Kaleb Trask, 11. Sekuini Tanimo, 12. Inga Finau, 13. Mathew Skipwith-Garland 14. Pyror Collier, 15. Chase Tiatia RESERVES: 16. Nathan Harris (co-c), 17. Benet Kumeroa, 18. Pasilo Tiso, 19. Josh Bartlett, 20. Kali Vaipulu, 21. Justin Sangster 22. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 23. Lucas Cashmore, 24. Leroy Carter 25. Trael Joass
