Pietsch returns from foot injury to start as Force host unbeaten Waratahs in Super Rugby AUS decider

Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch has been named in the Western Force starting XV for Sunday’s top-of-the-table Super Rugby AUS showdown against the NSW Waratahs at Pittwater Rugby Park in Sydney, having overcome a foot injury that kept him sidelined.

Both sides head into the match with unbeaten records intact, and the stakes could hardly be higher — the winner will earn the right to host the Grand Final early next month.

Pietsch lines up in the back three alongside Australia Sevens star Wallace Charlie and Australia A representative Mac Grealy, with the trio playing outside the midfield pairing of Boston Fakafanua and Zac Lomax. Veteran playmaker Kurtley Beale partners scrum-half Nathan Hastie in the halves, with Hastie continuing an impressive Super Rugby AUS campaign.

In the forwards, vice-captain Will Harris starts at blindside flanker, with Jack Daly at openside and Jackson Iose at No. 8 completing the back row. The second-row pairing of Trevor Hosea and Zak Healey is anchored by a front row featuring props Tom Robertson and Misinale Epenisa, with one-Test England hooker Nic Dolly captaining the side.

Australia Sevens representative Aden Ekanayake is among the options off the bench as the Force look to secure home-ground advantage for the season’s showpiece.