Versatile recruit Bryce Hegarty will make his debut for a fourth Australian club when he plays for the Western Force in Brisbane on Thursday night.
Hegarty will see time at flyhalf from the bench as back-up for Hamish Stewart when the Force meet the Fijian Drua in a pre-season trial on neutral turf at Wests Rugby Club.
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Ankle clean-up surgery before Christmas has cleared the way for the versatile Hegarty to play for his new club after stints with the Melbourne Rebels (2013-15), NSW Waratahs (2016-18) and Queensland Reds (2019-21).
Force coach Simon Cron sees a front-line role for Hegarty in 2023 Super Rugby Pacific.
“His experience will be very valuable and he’s able to share it because he’s an excellent communicator who understands the game,” Cron said.
“We’ll play him at 10 off the bench to get him rolling.
“We’ve cut the squad to 26 players for this trial. It’s time to sharpen the sword, get minutes into our key boys and get answers for our question mark positions.”
Hegarty, 30, arrives at the Force after last year finishing a stint with English club Leicester.
He played his 100th Super Rugby game in 2021 when he turned out for the Reds.
Wallabies lock Izack Rodda played almost 40 minutes against the Queensland Reds in his comeback from ankle surgery in the Force’s opening trial.
“We’ll give Izack more time in this trial but we’ll always be monitoring what the right workload is for him,” Cron said.
Key signing Chase Tiatia, the former Chiefs flyer, will start at fullback in a change that should add an extra turbo to the attack.
“Chase is a brilliant man and leader and I’m looking forward to the back field partnerships he can create,” Cron said.
“In trials, you can tend to push the pass too much so better ball retention will be a key thing for us.”
The Drua will field several names familiar to Brisbane fans in the trial which will screened live through Stan Sport from 7pm Brisbane time (8pm AEDT).
GPS prop Emosi Tuqiri, former Reds squad utility Teti Tela and former Wests fullback-winger Ilaisa Droasese will be in the Drua lineup as will 2022 Wests premiership prop Jone Tiko.
Western Force
Forwards: Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga'a, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu Jr, Izack Rodda, Jeremy Williams, Ollie Callan, Michael Wells, Feleti Kaitu'u, Marley Pearce, Siosifa Amone, Jackson Pugh, Tim Anstee
Backs: Issak Fines, Hamish Stewart, Zach Kibirige, Bayley Kuenzle, Sam Spink, Manasa Mataele, Chase Tiatia, Ian Prior, Gareth Simpson, Bryce Hegarty, George Poolman, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan
Fijian Drua
1. Emosi Tuqiri
2. Tevita Ikanivere (c)
3. Jone Tiko
4. Isoa Nasilasila
5. Ratu Rotuisolia
6. Joseva Tamani
7. Rusiate Nasove
8. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
9. Frank Lomani
10. Caleb Muntz
11. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
12. Kalaveti Ravouvou
13. Iosefa Masi
14. Selestino Ravutaumada
15. Ilaisa Droasese
Impact Players
Mesu Dolokoto
Timoci Sauvoli
Samu Tawake
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Sorovakatini Tuifagalele
Elia Canakaivata
Raikabula Momoedonu
Peni Matawalu
Teti Tela
Apisalome Vota
Kemu Valentini
