Force Culture Round team named with Pasitoa to make long-awaited return

February 26, 2025
170
Ultimate Rugby

Reesjan Pasitoa is set to make his long-awaited return for the Western Force having been named in the side’s 23-player team list for Saturday’s Culture Round clash with the Queensland Reds.

The Force will host the Reds from 4:35pm WST on Saturday at HBF Park as part of Culture Round when the SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific competition unites to celebrate the diverse cultures connected by the game of rugby.

Pasitoa is one of two changes to the Force starting XV, with the midfielder set to play his first Super Rugby game since Round 15 2022, dating back 1,007 days.

The former Australia Schoolboys rep and Perth Bayswater product missed the 2023 season with an ACL injury, followed by elbow and shoulder injuries in 2024.

Experienced lock Sam Carter also comes into the starting side, with Sio Tomkinson and Jeremy Williams ruled out due to head injury protocols.

Vaiolini Ekuasi and Atu Moli are both named among the finishers after missing last weekend’s 45-42 win over the Brumbies in Canberra.

Nic White and Reed Prinsep will co-captain the side in Williams’ absence. Scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa is named among the reserves for his 50^th Super Rugby game.

Game details

Western Force vs Queensland Reds

Saturday 1 March, 4:35pm WST

HBF Park

SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific Round 3

Live on 9GEM and Stan Sport

Force team list

Starting XV; Marley Pearce, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Sam Carter, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Nic White, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Reesjan Pasitoa, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy

Reserves; Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, George Poolman

Unavailable list

Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee)

Bayley Kuenzle (knee)

Harry Hoopert (knee)

Kane Koteka (ribs)

Divad Palu (shoulder)

Matt Proctor (shoulder)

Henry Robertson (ribs)

Papillon Sevele (knee)

Tiaan Tauakipulu (ribs)

Sio Tomkinson (head injury protocols)