Western Force v Fijian Drua Saturday 11 May, 7:55pm WST

[Tazzmania]

Force team list

Starting XV: Marley Pearce, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams (c), Izack Rodda, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Kurtley Beale

Reserves: Feleti Kaitu’u, Harry Hoopert, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Michael Wells, Henry Robertson, Sam Spink, Henry O’Donnell

 

[The Phoenix]

Harry Hoopert back. Good on him - it must have been a miserable couple of years for him.

 

[Tazzmania]

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Peni Matawalu, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Taniela Rakuro, Michael Naitokani, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Motikiai Murray, Simione Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini, Epeli Momo

 

[Tazzmania]

Harry Hoopert back. Good on him - it must have been a miserable couple of years for him.

From Western Force Media Team:

"Hoopert is named among the finishers to make his Force Club debut and his first Super Rugby Pacific appearance since 2022. Saturday's game will mark 708 days between Super Rugby games for Hoopert, dating back to 3 June 2022.

The 25-year-old prop missed the entire 2023 season with an ACL injury sustained on Australia A duty followed by a knee injury suffered in 2024 pre-season.

 

[Wilson]

Great to see Hoopert hopefully taking the field again.

 

[ForceFan]

Simon Cron pre-Drua game.

 

[D-Box]

Kunzel doing well in the 13 channel tonight

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Kunzel doing well in the 13 channel tonight

Sure is. Our attack is looking sharper

 

[Shiggins]

Lots of errors from drua in first half. If they can fix it force could be in trouble as there scrum is under pressure. Force defence has been solid though

 

[Shiggins]

The mauls in the first half were a mess. White got the ball out of one and was tackled into it and it was called drua ball. Drua also wait for the maul to go down and then send everyone in once it's down.

 

[Shiggins]

Why is old mate for drua soaking his balls with water ?

 

[Shiggins]

Wouldn't mind seeing the drua release the tackled player before going for the pilfer.

 

[Shiggins]

Force bunch defence. Beale came in and left the wing wide open for drua to score

 

[Shiggins]

I swear drua have something in their water. They just poor it over their body instead of drinking it

 

[Shiggins]

What's the touchy watching. Drua were half a meter in touch

 

[Shiggins]

Poolman gets a start and hasn't shown he is ready for super rugby. Was really hoping he could show something we haven't seen from him

 

[Shiggins]

Force strike back with a man down and score!

 

[Shiggins]

Drua are competing at every breakdown.

 

[Shiggins]

Beales had an ok game. Catching at air in defence a few times though.

 

[Shiggins]

Fiji have been counter fucking the exact same way as the force. No idea why hoiles needs to bring down the force every chance he gets.