NINE debutants for the Force ahead of Moana opener

The Western Force will unveil nine fresh faces in Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific opener with Wallabies Darcy Swain and Dylan Pietsch among those set to debut.

However, the Sea of Blue face an uphill battle against Moana Pasifika – and the season ahead - after Force officials confirmed key prop duo Harry Hoopert and Harry Johnson-Holmes will miss the entire 2025 campaign with respective ACL injuries.

Hoopert underwent surgery last week after sustaining an injury in his right knee last month while Johnson-Holmes’ own tear occurred in the warm-up prior to last week’s Brumbies trial.

It's a cruel blow for the propping pair with Harry Hoopert having missed over 700 days of rugby to successive knee injuries between 2022-2024 and Johnson-Holmes set to make his comeback from a ruptured Achilles sustained last May.

Nevertheless, the Force welcome back Wallaby Tom Robertson and former All Black Atu Moli with both named in a stacked match-day 23 to tackle Moana at HBF Park on February 14.

In addition to Swain and Pietsch, Nic Dolly, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Sio Tomkinson, Divad Palu and Mac Grealy have also been named for their maiden Force caps.

Nic White and Ben Donaldson form an all-Wallaby halves pairing with Carlo Tizzano, Jeremy Williams and Harry Potter rounding out the Test contingent.

“There’s a great connection between the boys – on and off the field we’re gelling really well,” Potter told reporters this week.

“We’ve had some really exciting talent come into the squad and a few Wallabies. It’s looking like a pretty deep and talented side.

“Expectations are to get better each week – we struggled last year but showed some glimpses of how good a side we can be.

"If we can do that again and build each week, it’ll be exciting to watch us get better and better.”