Mac Grealy joins Western Force South African tour squad
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ormer Queensland Reds winger Mac Grealy has linked up with the Western Force ahead of their tour of South Africa
Grealy was one of the Reds' most consistent in 2024, coming off a double in their narrow loss to Wales in July.
The former Red joins on a train and trial deal, with the club looking to bolster their outside backs stocks after they signed Wallaby Dylan Pietsch.
“Mac always causes opposition sides headaches. He’s got high work rate and therefore he always finds himself in the action," stand-in coach Will Eggleston said.
"That’s exactly what we’re looking for in a back-three player. He’s proven himself in Super Rugby and he’s a good addition to the squad."
Shute Shield standout Coby Miln is another trialling with the squad after topping the points-scoring table with Warringah in 2024, joined by former Highlanders centre Sio Tomkinson.
New recruits Darcy Swain, Nic Dolly and Nick Champion de Crespigny have been included for their first hitouts with their new sides.
Wallabies prop Tom Robertson is also set to make the trip over as he returns from a sabbatical and an ACL injury on the completion of the Bledisloe Cup.
Mid-season recruit Reed Prinsep will captain the side as he continues his rise, with former Wallaby Sam Carter and young half Henry Robertson the vice-captains.
The Force set to play Perth Gold in a warm-up game on September 21 before they depart for South Africa on Wednesday September 25.
They will play three games against the Cheetahs and Emerging Ireland in Bloemfontein as part of the Toyota Challenge before a behind-closed-doors clash with the DHL WP XV in Stellenbosch.
Assistant coach Eggleston will take the reins as head coach, and Simon Cron will take an advisor role for the tour.
"We’ve only had three weeks together to train. We’ve spoken about not wasting a rep, not wasting a minute in the time we have together," Eggleston said.
"Cohesion comes with understanding what we’re going after and then doing it with your mates.”
Forwards: Albert Alcock, Sam Carter (vc), Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic Dolly, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Marley Pearce, Reed Prinsep (c), Tom Robertson, Dane Sawers, Darcy Swain, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Josh Thompson, Silafono Titiuti
Backs: Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Mac Grealy, Justin Landman, Ronan Leahy, Coby Miln, Divad Palu, Doug Philipson, George Poolman, Harry Potter, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Henry Robertson (vc), Patelesio Tomkinson
Western Force spring series tour matches:
Thursday 3 October, 1am WST: Cheetahs vs Western Force, Bloemfontein (Stan Sport)
Sunday 6 October, 7pm WST: Emerging Ireland vs Western Force, Bloemfontein (Stan Sport)
Saturday 12 October, 9pm WST: DHL WP XV vs Western Force, Stellenbosch (behind closed doors)
