Donaldson and Bridge return as Western Force close Super Rugby Pacific season against Waratahs

Ben Donaldson and George Bridge return to the Western Force’s matchday 23 for the club’s final Super Rugby Pacific round-robin fixture against the NSW Waratahs in Perth, with the pair the only changes from the side that defeated Fijian Drua last week.

Max Burey and Bayley Kuenzle drop out of the squad to accommodate the two returning backs. Donaldson slots back in at fly-half, while Bridge resumes his place in the midfield alongside Hamish Stewart, with Zac Lomax and Mac Grealy completing the back three.

Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Force have been one of the competition’s more consistent sides in the second half of the season, recording just two defeats. That run includes victories over the Reds twice, the Crusaders, and the Waratahs themselves when the teams met in Sydney earlier in the campaign.

The match carries an individual milestone subplot: openside flanker Carlo Tizzano equalled Cameron Shepherd’s club record of 30 tries last week and can claim sole ownership of the all-time Force try-scoring record with a score against the Waratahs.

Jeremy Williams captains the side with Donaldson and Nick Champion de Crespigny serving as vice-captains. The front row is formed by Harry Johnson-Holmes, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Misinale Epenisa, with Darcy Swain and Champion de Crespigny locking the scrum. Tizzano and Vaiolini Ekuasi complete the loose forwards alongside Williams, while Nathan Hastie and Donaldson pair at halfback. Dylan Pietsch starts on the wing.

Kurtley Beale is named among the replacements, along with Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Sef Fa’agase, Franco Molina, Will Harris, Agustin Moyano and Boston Fakafanua.

The Force carry injury concerns into the match, with Alex Harford (shoulder) and Tom Robertson (calf) listed as short-term absentees, while Darby Lancaster (ankle) and Henry Robertson (ACL) are ruled out for the season.

The Waratahs hold a 3-2 advantage over the Force in their last five meetings, with the home side averaging 18 points to the visitors’ 23 across those contests.