LIVE: The Western Force will be hungry to start their New Zealand tour on a high as they face Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe.
The Force will spend the next three weeks on the road after beginning their season with a pair of defeats.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Winger Darby Lancaster will make his debut for the club after overcoming a thigh complaint.
For Moana Pasifika, they are fresh off a thumping defeat to the Hurricanes in Wellington.
All Black Ngani Laumape is amongst several returning stars for the contest for the hosts.
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So Ben Donaldson is back on.
The explanation is Donaldson's mouthguard pinged and they forced him to do the test, which he passed.
Instead of having to wait on the bench, he was cleared to return straight away and replaces Max Burey.
Sure.
The Western Force earn an early penalty and hunt for the line instead of the points.
However, they find no way through Moana Pasifika's pack.
Huge news coming with Ben Donaldson, who is nowhere to be seen as he goes for an HIA.
Max Burey will start and kick off, with the replacement on the bench unsure.
UPDATE: Donaldson has passed the HIA and will come off the bench, after inital thoughts was he was ruled out
Crazy scenes.
One thing to watch for is the surface, with word coming from the commentary to potentially expect some wicked bounces from the rock hard, pathcy surface
Tries:
Cons:
Tries:
Cons:
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Western Force's crucial away trip to Pukehoke against Moana Pasifika.
Conditions in New Zealand look unreal for running Rugby, with both teams desperate for victory.
A bunch of changes for Moana Pasifika, with Tito Tuipulotu and Glen Vaihu both out. Abraham Pole and Denzel Samoa move to the starting sides, Tevita Ofa shifts to fullback and Malakai Hala-Ngatai is in line for his debut on the bench.
The lone change for the Western Force: Will Harris is in for Kane Koteka
Winger Darby Lancaster is one to watch, with coach Simon Cron gushing about his talents during his pre-game press conference.
MOANA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Ngani Laumape, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Denzel Samoa, Tevita Ofa
Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Lolani Faleiva, Ola Tauelangi, Tupou Afungia, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Franco Molina, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams (c), Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nathan Hastie, Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, George Bridge, Darby Lancaster, Mac Grealy
Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Sef Fa'agase, Misinale Epenisa, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Agustin Moyano, Max Burey, Kurtley Beale
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Moana Pasifika's clash with the Western Force will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 4:30 pm with kickoff expected at 5:05 pm.
