Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will boost the Western Force’s bid for silverware in the Swyftx Super Rugby AUS Grand Final against the NSW Waratahs at Scotch College on Saturday fresh from Wallabies camp.
McLaughlin-Phillips’ inclusion is the only change to the Force starting side which downed grand final opponent NSW 17-12 in Sydney on Sunday, earning hosting rights for the decider.
The fly-half impressed in his maiden Force appearance against the Queensland Reds in Round 1 in his playmaker duties, scoring a try and kicking the game-winning conversion after the siren.
Head to https://am.ticketmaster.com/westernforce/ to secure your 2027 Western Force Membership today.
Experienced Wallabies utility back James O’Connor returns to be among the replacements too.
O’Connor is one of several Force players who boasts international experience, including Wallabies Tom Robertson, Kurtley Beale and Dylan Pietsch for Saturday’s 2:30pm kick-off at Scotch College which is free entry for fans.
The WA club will be chasing its first major trophy since winning the 2019 National Rugby Championships Grand Final. The Force lost last year’s Super AUS decider to the ‘Tahs at Wanneroo.
Robertson runs on at loosehead prop, with captain Nic Dolly at hooker and 2026 Rising Star winner Misinale Epenisa at tighthead prop.
Cottesloe lock Zak Healey starts in the second row alongside Will Harris, who spent time in Wallabies camp last week.
Force favourite Kane Koteka, Irish openside flanker Jack Daly and UWA number 8 Jackson Iose will start on the back row.
Competition leading try scorer Nathan Hastie starts at scrum-half alongside the returning McLaughlin-Phillips at fly-half.
Kurtley Beale reverts from 10 to 12, running on in the midfield in tandem with young gun Boston Fakafanua.
Wallace Charlie and Wallabies powerhouse Pietsch start on the wings, with vice-captain Mac Grealy rounding out the back three.
Among the replacements are three members of Cottesloe’s recent Fortescue Premier Grade-winning side, in Regin Pratt, Nate Gallagher and Tim Sail, on top of Seagulls lock Healey in the starting side.
The replacements are hooker Albert Alcock, Kalamunda prop Max Sawers, prop Brad Kuhn, Cott prop Pratt, back-rower Aden Ekanayake, versatile back Ronan Leahy, Cott number 8 Gallagher, Cott lock Sail, Perth Bayswater half-back Luke Aiken and the experienced O’Connor.
Saturday’s Grand Final at Scotch College Playing Fields is free entry for all fans, who are encouraged to use public transport with parking limited at the venue due to the Perth Royal Show at nearby Claremont Showgrounds.
The game will be played as part of a double-header, with the Game 2 of the North vs South Women’s Series kicking off at 12pm, followed by the Force-Waratahs’ clash from 2:30pm.
The Grand Final will be live on rugby.com.au’s YouTube and Stan Sport.
Head to https://am.ticketmaster.com/westernforce/ to secure your 2027 Western Force Membership today.
Match details
Western Force vs NSW Waratahs
Saturday 3 October, 2:30pm WST
Scotch College Playing Fields, Swanbourne, Perth
Free entry
Live on Stan Sport & rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel
Western Force 25-player team list
Starting XV
1 Tom Robertson
2 Nic Dolly (c)
3 Misinale Epenisa
4 Zak Healey
5 Will Harris (vc)
6 Kane Koteka
7 Jack Daly
8 Jackson Iose
9 Nathan Hastie
10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
11 Wallace Charlie
12 Kurtley Beale
13 Boston Fakafanua
14 Dylan Pietsch
15 Mac Grealy (vc)
Replacements
16 Albert Alcock, 17 Max Sawers, 18 Brad Kuhn, 19 Regin Pratt, 20 Aden Ekanayake, 21 Ronan Leahy, 22 Nate Gallagher, 23 Tim Sail, 24 Luke Aiken, 25 James O’Connor
Head to https://am.ticketmaster.com/westernforce/ to secure your 2027 Western Force Membership today.
