Haylett-Petty faces near-perfect storm on return
Dane Haylett-Petty's June fitness will be left in no doubt after this weekend, with the Force fullback named to make his return from injury agaisnt the Hurricanes.
Haylett-Petty hasn't played since suffering a hamstring injury in the Force's round nine 16-7 loss to the Chiefs, an ailment that put him in doubt for Wallabies.
The 27-year-old admitted on Wednesday he considered himself lucky to be named in Michael Cheika's squad for the upcoming Tests, given the injury, but Saturday gives him a chance to prove himself.
There are few harder opposition to be thrown back into the fray against than the Hurricanes, but the Kiwi challenge will prove the ultimate litmus test for the Force fullback ahead of Test season.
Haylett-Petty is the only change to the side that beat the Reds in Brisbane last weekend, with Marcel Brache moving to the bench and Luke Morahan dropping out of the 23.
Coach Dave Wessels said the side's mission this week was to show the same desperation after a win as they showed after a loss.
“Our biggest challenge is to learn how to back-up performances,” he said.
“We didn’t play well in our last home game. It’s important that we address that this weekend.
“We want to play the way the people of WA will be proud of.”
The Force take on the Hurricanes in Perth on Saturday night, kicking off at 7:55pm AWST and 9:45pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
TEAM
Western Force team to face the Hurricanes
IN: Dane Haylett-Petty
OUT: Luke Morahan
1. Francois van Wyk
2. Heath Tessmann
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Matt Philip
5. Adam Coleman
6. Ross Haylett-Petty
7. Matt Hodgson (C)
8. Isi Naisarani
9. Michael Ruru
10. Peter Grant
11. Alex Newsome
12. Bill Meakes
13. Curtis Rona
14. James Verity-Amm
15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Pek Cowan
18. Tetera Faulkner
19. Richie Arnold
20. Richard Hardwick
21. Mitchell Short
22. Luke Burton
23. Marcel Brache