Kurtley Beale set for return from long-term injury against Blues

95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale has been named at fullback for the Western Force ahead of this Friday’s clash with the Blues, marking a remarkable return from an Achilles injury. Beale suffered the devastating injury in June last year, while on the cusp of a Wallabies recall.

After joining the Force midway through the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, the experienced playmaker made seven appearances. Beale would later receive the unfortunate injury setback while playing for Randwick in the Shute Shield.

Beale has been rehabbing at the Force since the start of the year, and that hard work has paid off with coach Simon Cron naming the Wallaby in this week’s starting side. Mac Grealy has been superb at fullback this season but shifts to the left wing instead.

Harry Potter will start on the right wing, while in-form utility Bayley Kuenzle moves into the midfield at outside centre. Kuenzle will partner Hamish Stewart, who lines up outside the new-look halves pairing of Henry Robertson and Ben Donaldson.

In the forwards, captain Jeremy Williams returns after being a late withdrawal from the side that played the Chiefs due to calf soreness. Red Prinsep is also elevated to the run-on side as the starting No. 8.

Ryan Coxon joins one-Test England international Nic Dolly and Tom Robertson in the front row, while captain Williams and Darcy Swain are the locks. Nick Champion de Crespigny starts at blindside flanker, with Carlo Tizzano on the other side of the scrum, and Prinsep at the back.

On the bench, Force Academy hooker Albert Alcock, 21, is in line to debut at Super Rugby level after being named in the reserves. This selection follows the debuts of Doug Philipson and Fatongia Paea last time out.

This match will kick-off at 3:05 pm WST on Friday.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

5

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

35

16

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

80%

Western Force team to play the Blues

Starting XV: Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale

Reserves: Albert Alcock, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Will Harris, Nic White, Max Burey, George Poolman

Unavailable

Vaiolini Ekuasi (shoulder)
Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)
Harry Hoopert (knee)
Tom Horton (head injury protocols)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (ankle)
Divad Palu (shoulder)
Marley Pearce (shoulder)
Dylan Pietsch (quad)
Matt Proctor (shoulder)