Donaldson called up for Lions after Beale heartbreak
Ben Donaldson's wish to play for the Western Force against the British and Irish Lions has been granted after Kurtley Beale suffered an untimely hamstring injury.
Donaldson is en route from the Wallabies' Sydney base to Perth to tackle the tourists in their first match of the campaign at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
On Tuesday morning, Beale spoke excitedly about facing the Lions on Saturday night - 12 years after playing a central role in the Wallabies' 2-1 series defeat.
But Beale strained his hamstring at training just hours after that press conference.
It is hoped he can recover in time for the First Nations and Pasifika clash with the Lions in Melbourne on July 22.
Beale had worked hard this year to recover from a ruptured achilles tendon, and it would be a cruel blow if injury ruled him out of the chance of facing the Lions again.
Donaldson was asked about his desire to play for the Force this week, given he could miss taking on the Lions altogether because there are three players vying to wear the Wallabies' No.10 jersey.
He said his preference was to take on the Lions in front of his home fans, but it wasn't his decision.
"Obviously, it's kind of out of the players' control ... we just do what the coaches want," Donaldson said on Wednesday.
"Any chance you get to play against the Lions, you probably take it with both hands.
"I'm hearing it's going to be a huge crowd out at Optus (Stadium) in Perth, so it would be extremely exciting, especially off the back of the year we had at the Force this year.''
Donaldson becomes the sixth Force player selected in the Wallabies squad to be released, which should appease the Lions after complaints from their manager about Australia's best players not turning out for their states.
The 26-year-old has been named at fullback.
Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White and Dylan Pietsch are the other Wallabies-squad members who have been named in the Force starting XV on Saturday night.
Force captain Jeremy Williams, back-rower Carlo Tizzano and winger Harry Potter have remained in the Wallabies' camp ahead of next week's Test against Fiji in Newcastle.
Retiring WA home-grown prop Ollie Hoskins will start at tighthead in a fairytale ending to his rugby career, having started at the Force after coming through the club's academy.
In a unique situation, the Cottesloe junior was allowed to link up with the Force on loan for the one-off game by his English club Saracens.
Former Wallabies lock Sam Carter will also start in the final game of his decorated career, having announced his retirement last month.
WESTERN FORCE STARTING XV: Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Matt Proctor, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Harford, Nic White (capt), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Sam Carter, Ollie Hoskins, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson. Reserves: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle
Ben Donaldson's wish to play for the Western Force against the British and Irish Lions has been granted after Kurtley Beale suffered an untimely hamstring injury.
Donaldson is en route from the Wallabies' Sydney base to Perth to tackle the tourists in their first match of the campaign at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
On Tuesday morning, Beale spoke excitedly about facing the Lions on Saturday night - 12 years after playing a central role in the Wallabies' 2-1 series defeat.
But Beale strained his hamstring at training just hours after that press conference.
It is hoped he can recover in time for the First Nations and Pasifika clash with the Lions in Melbourne on July 22.
Beale had worked hard this year to recover from a ruptured achilles tendon, and it would be a cruel blow if injury ruled him out of the chance of facing the Lions again.
Donaldson was asked about his desire to play for the Force this week, given he could miss taking on the Lions altogether because there are three players vying to wear the Wallabies' No.10 jersey.
He said his preference was to take on the Lions in front of his home fans, but it wasn't his decision.
"Obviously, it's kind of out of the players' control ... we just do what the coaches want," Donaldson said on Wednesday.
"Any chance you get to play against the Lions, you probably take it with both hands.
"I'm hearing it's going to be a huge crowd out at Optus (Stadium) in Perth, so it would be extremely exciting, especially off the back of the year we had at the Force this year.''
Donaldson becomes the sixth Force player selected in the Wallabies squad to be released, which should appease the Lions after complaints from their manager about Australia's best players not turning out for their states.
The 26-year-old has been named at fullback.
Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White and Dylan Pietsch are the other Wallabies-squad members who have been named in the Force starting XV on Saturday night.
Force captain Jeremy Williams, back-rower Carlo Tizzano and winger Harry Potter have remained in the Wallabies' camp ahead of next week's Test against Fiji in Newcastle.
Retiring WA home-grown prop Ollie Hoskins will start at tighthead in a fairytale ending to his rugby career, having started at the Force after coming through the club's academy.
In a unique situation, the Cottesloe junior was allowed to link up with the Force on loan for the one-off game by his English club Saracens.
Former Wallabies lock Sam Carter will also start in the final game of his decorated career, having announced his retirement last month.
WESTERN FORCE STARTING XV: Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Matt Proctor, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Harford, Nic White (capt), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Sam Carter, Ollie Hoskins, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson. Reserves: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle
Ben Donaldson's wish to play for the Western Force against the British and Irish Lions has been granted after Kurtley Beale suffered an untimely hamstring injury.
Donaldson is en route from the Wallabies' Sydney base to Perth to tackle the tourists in their first match of the campaign at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
On Tuesday morning, Beale spoke excitedly about facing the Lions on Saturday night - 12 years after playing a central role in the Wallabies' 2-1 series defeat.
But Beale strained his hamstring at training just hours after that press conference.
It is hoped he can recover in time for the First Nations and Pasifika clash with the Lions in Melbourne on July 22.
Beale had worked hard this year to recover from a ruptured achilles tendon, and it would be a cruel blow if injury ruled him out of the chance of facing the Lions again.
Donaldson was asked about his desire to play for the Force this week, given he could miss taking on the Lions altogether because there are three players vying to wear the Wallabies' No.10 jersey.
He said his preference was to take on the Lions in front of his home fans, but it wasn't his decision.
"Obviously, it's kind of out of the players' control ... we just do what the coaches want," Donaldson said on Wednesday.
"Any chance you get to play against the Lions, you probably take it with both hands.
"I'm hearing it's going to be a huge crowd out at Optus (Stadium) in Perth, so it would be extremely exciting, especially off the back of the year we had at the Force this year.''
Donaldson becomes the sixth Force player selected in the Wallabies squad to be released, which should appease the Lions after complaints from their manager about Australia's best players not turning out for their states.
The 26-year-old has been named at fullback.
Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic White and Dylan Pietsch are the other Wallabies-squad members who have been named in the Force starting XV on Saturday night.
Force captain Jeremy Williams, back-rower Carlo Tizzano and winger Harry Potter have remained in the Wallabies' camp ahead of next week's Test against Fiji in Newcastle.
Retiring WA home-grown prop Ollie Hoskins will start at tighthead in a fairytale ending to his rugby career, having started at the Force after coming through the club's academy.
In a unique situation, the Cottesloe junior was allowed to link up with the Force on loan for the one-off game by his English club Saracens.
Former Wallabies lock Sam Carter will also start in the final game of his decorated career, having announced his retirement last month.
WESTERN FORCE STARTING XV: Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Matt Proctor, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Harford, Nic White (capt), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Sam Carter, Ollie Hoskins, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson. Reserves: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle
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It took just 96 seconds for his players to show a strong response - and it was a thing of beauty. The magical piece of play started and finished with skipper Dan Sheehan, who jumped in the air to catch a cross kick before passing it off to teammate James Lowe before he even landed on the ground. Sheehan stayed in the play and received it back from Lowe to cross over for the opener. The Force hit back through Nic White courtesy of 19 phases of grit, and after 15 minutes, it was the home side dominating possession (72 per cent) and territory (74 per cent). The Lions did well to keep the Force at bay, and they went up 14-7 in the 17th minute when Pollock made a break and then offloaded while on the ground to set up Williams for a try. Pietsch's first-half efforts had the Lions on the back foot, but it was the tourists who landed another strike against the run of play when a quick tap from flyhalf Finn Russell caught the Force napping. The ensuing try by fullback Elliot Daly gave the Lions a 21-7 lead in the 36th minute, but they were dealt a blow just seconds before half-time when Pollock was handed a yellow card for his team's accumulation of penalties. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Lions swung the ball the length of the field for Williams to touch down seven minutes into the second half. The Lions piled on another four tries to ensure their tour of Australia got off to a comprehensive winning start. The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium. Henry Pollock showcased his star potential but two-try scrumhalf Tomos Williams was cut down by a hamstring injury as the British and Irish Lions posted a crushing 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth. The Lions ran in eight tries to one in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night to post the big win, but it came at a cost. Williams, a veteran of 65 Test caps with Wales, pinged his left hamstring while acrobatically diving in at the corner for his second try in the 47th minute. The 30-year-old looked despondent as he hobbled slowly off the field, with the Lions leading 26-7 at the time. The second half became a romp as the Lions flexed their muscles in a five-try blitz, but it was tough work in the first half as the Force came out firing. Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch was near unstoppable in the first 40 minutes, unleashing a series of dazzling line breaks to push his case for selection for the upcoming three-Test series. The Force dominated possession (60 per cent) and territory (67 per cent) in the first half, but it was the industrious work of Pollock that ensured the Lions still managed to take a 21-7 lead into half-time. Pollock, who at just 20 years of age is already being touted as a future superstar, produced a series of tackle-breaking runs, one of which set up Williams for his first try. "I'm happy with the scoreline, obviously, and happy with how we actually got to that point, because it wasn't all going our own way," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. "I thought we gathered ourselves well and sorted a few things out on the run and played some nice rugby in the end. "There was plenty to work on from the Argentina game, and just because there were some nice tries that have been scored tonight, there's still plenty (to improve)." Farrell had labelled his team's 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week as unacceptable. It took just 96 seconds for his players to show a strong response - and it was a thing of beauty. The magical piece of play started and finished with skipper Dan Sheehan, who jumped in the air to catch a cross kick before passing it off to teammate James Lowe before he even landed on the ground. Sheehan stayed in the play and received it back from Lowe to cross over for the opener. 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The Lions piled on another four tries to ensure their tour of Australia got off to a comprehensive winning start. The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium. Henry Pollock showcased his star potential but two-try scrumhalf Tomos Williams was cut down by a hamstring injury as the British and Irish Lions posted a crushing 54-7 win over the Western Force in Perth. The Lions ran in eight tries to one in front of 46,656 fans at Optus Stadium on Saturday night to post the big win, but it came at a cost. Williams, a veteran of 65 Test caps with Wales, pinged his left hamstring while acrobatically diving in at the corner for his second try in the 47th minute. The 30-year-old looked despondent as he hobbled slowly off the field, with the Lions leading 26-7 at the time. The second half became a romp as the Lions flexed their muscles in a five-try blitz, but it was tough work in the first half as the Force came out firing. Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch was near unstoppable in the first 40 minutes, unleashing a series of dazzling line breaks to push his case for selection for the upcoming three-Test series. The Force dominated possession (60 per cent) and territory (67 per cent) in the first half, but it was the industrious work of Pollock that ensured the Lions still managed to take a 21-7 lead into half-time. Pollock, who at just 20 years of age is already being touted as a future superstar, produced a series of tackle-breaking runs, one of which set up Williams for his first try. "I'm happy with the scoreline, obviously, and happy with how we actually got to that point, because it wasn't all going our own way," Lions coach Andy Farrell said. "I thought we gathered ourselves well and sorted a few things out on the run and played some nice rugby in the end. "There was plenty to work on from the Argentina game, and just because there were some nice tries that have been scored tonight, there's still plenty (to improve)." Farrell had labelled his team's 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week as unacceptable. It took just 96 seconds for his players to show a strong response - and it was a thing of beauty. The magical piece of play started and finished with skipper Dan Sheehan, who jumped in the air to catch a cross kick before passing it off to teammate James Lowe before he even landed on the ground. Sheehan stayed in the play and received it back from Lowe to cross over for the opener. The Force hit back through Nic White courtesy of 19 phases of grit, and after 15 minutes, it was the home side dominating possession (72 per cent) and territory (74 per cent). The Lions did well to keep the Force at bay, and they went up 14-7 in the 17th minute when Pollock made a break and then offloaded while on the ground to set up Williams for a try. Pietsch's first-half efforts had the Lions on the back foot, but it was the tourists who landed another strike against the run of play when a quick tap from flyhalf Finn Russell caught the Force napping. The ensuing try by fullback Elliot Daly gave the Lions a 21-7 lead in the 36th minute, but they were dealt a blow just seconds before half-time when Pollock was handed a yellow card for his team's accumulation of penalties. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Lions swung the ball the length of the field for Williams to touch down seven minutes into the second half. The Lions piled on another four tries to ensure their tour of Australia got off to a comprehensive winning start. The Lions will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
