Ben Donaldson out as Max Burey named to start for Force against Reds

In-form Western Force playmaker Ben Donaldson will miss a crucial Australian derby against the Queensland Reds in Perth, ruled out for the short term with a quad injury. Max Burey has instead been named to start at fly-half, in the first of three consecutive home matches for the club.

Wallabies flanker Carlo Tizzano will bring up 50 games for the Western Force on Saturday night, with Mac Grealy and Sef Fa’agase also bringing up milestone appearances.

Tizzano debuted for the Force in 2019 during Global Rapid Rugby, before spending some time with the NSW Waratahs and Ealing Trailfinders. But after returning home to WA, Tizzano has become a key member of the Force.

Grealy will make his 50^th Super Rugby appearance, which includes a 26-game stint with the Reds. The outside back earned representative honours last year with the Australia A side, starting at fullback in a big win over a Japan XV.

But that’s not all for the Force, who will also celebrate Fa’agase, with the front-rower set to bring up 100 Super Rugby caps. Fa’agase played 83 matches for Queensland before heading west, featuring in every game so far for the Force this season.

This is the first of three consecutive home matches for the Force, who are looking to make a late playoff charge. The Force defeated the Reds last month in Brisbane and have since tasted victory against defending Super Rugby champions the Crusaders in Perth.

Harry Johnson-Holmes and Misinale Epenisa are the starting props, joining Wallaby Brandon Paenga-Amosa in the front row. Force captain Jeremy Williams will again link up with Darcy Swain in a formidable second row pairing.

Nick Champion de Crespigny will serve as vice-captain from blindside flanker, with Tizzano lining up on the other side of the scrum at openside. Vaiolini Ekuasi completes the starting pack, named at No. 8 once again.

Nathan Hastie has been brought into the run-on side following an injury to Henry Robertson last weekend against the Brumbies. Utility back Burey, who was named the 2025 Super Rugby AUS Player of the Tournament, has been brought into the run-on side.

Hamish Stewart joins former All Black George Bridge in the centres, with Dylan Pietsch and Zac Lomax retained on the wings. Grealy rounds out the starting lineup at fullback, while Bayley Kuenzle and Kurtley Beale provide backline cover off the pine.

Fixture

Super Rugby Pacific

Force

19 - 14

Full-time

Reds

All Stats and Data

Western Force to take on Queensland Reds

1. Harry Johnson-Holmes

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa

3. Misinale Epenisa

4. Jeremy Williams (c)

5. Darcy Swain

6. Nick Champion de Crespigny (vc)

7. Carlo Tizzano

8. Vaiolini Ekuasi

9. Nathan Hastie

10. Max Burey

11. Dylan Pietsch

12. Hamish Stewart

13. George Bridge

14. Zac Lomax

15. Mac Grealy

Reserves: 16. Nic Dolly, 17. Marley Pearce, 18. Sef Fa’agase, 19. Franco Molina, 20. Will Harris, 21. Agustin Moyano, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Kurtley Beale