The Western Force have named their 23-player team list for Friday’s Round 7 Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Blues, with Henry O’Donnell named to be club debutant #256.
Former Wallabies lock Sam Carter has been promoted to the starting XV, while Max Burey will start at full-back with Harry Potter unavailable due to an ankle injury sustained in Saturday’s loss to the Fijian Drua.
Utility back O’Donnell, 21, earns his maiden nod after some impressive displays for Force A along with a good cameo against the ACT Brumbies in pre-season where he scored a late try.
O’Donnell was part of the Northern Suburbs side that reached last year’s Shute Shield final and scoring four tries in five games for the Young Wallabies at the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
Joondalup Brothers product Marley Pearce and back-rower Will Harris both return as reserves following suspension and head injury protocols respectively. Josh Bartlett will miss due to a shoulder injury.
Friday’s game at Eden Park against the second-placed Blues (5-1) kicks off at 2:05pm WST. The game will be live on Stan Sport, while there will be regular updates @WesternForce on social media.
Game details
Blues v Western Force
Eden Park, Auckland, 2:05pm WST
Live on Stan Sport
Force Team List
Starting XV: Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Sam Carter, Thomas Franklin, Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Max Burey
Reserves: Ben Funnell, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry O’Donnell
