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