Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force hand unknown fly-half Alex Harford a start against Fijian Drua
Western Force have wrung the changes — including a shock move at fly-half — ahead of their clash away to Fijian Drua, as travel factors and frequent time zone changes bite.
Coach Simon Cron has turned to little-known, injury-cover five-eighth Alex Harford, who has never played a Super Rugby game and only has six National Provincial Championship starts in New Zealand to his name.
Harford got the nod over Max Burey, with Ben Donaldson named as a reserve.
After flying from New Zealand back to Perth and then to Fiji via Melbourne, Saturday's game at Churchill Park in Lautoka will be their second game in a row to come after a four-hour time-zone change.
And with a flight back to Perth next week to host the Waratahs, meaning another four-hour time zone change and last Saturday's defensively gruelling loss to the Brumbies, Cron is not risking any injuries.
'We always knew there were some real challenges in the draw this season. Out of the last five games, four of them have four-hour time zone shifts, and each one of those involves anywhere between 11-17 hours travel door-to-door, so we must maximise our chances of success,' Cron said.
'To do that, we have tried to rotate some squad members who we feel are most at risk due to high minutes or lots of travel.
'This also gives other players in our squad a chance to step up which is critical for the long-term success of the club.'
Winger Harry Potter, scrum-half Nic White and centre Hamish Stewart have not made the trip at all alongside injured flanker Carlo Tizzano.
Further blows have come in the form of the unavailability of Nick Champion de Crespigny (head injury protocols) and Lopeti Faifua (calf).
There are some reinforcements though, with Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa named on the bench after missing the past four games with an ankle injury.
Homegrown centre Reesjan Pasitoa returns to the starting side for the first time since round five, while Reed Prinsep and Sio Tomkinson also come into the 15 after coming off the bench in the 33-14 loss to the Brumbies.
There are also spots on the bench for scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, lock Sam Carter and back-rower Titi Nofoagatotoa.
Bayley Kuenzle moves to the wing in the absence of Potter, while Kurtley Beale and Mac Grealy round out the back three with George Poolman as a reserve.
Western Force vs Fijian Drua (11.35am Saturday, Churchill Park)
Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson
Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain
Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Reed Prinsep
Henry Robertson, Alex Harford
Reesjan Pasitoa, Sio Tomkinson
Mac Grealy, Bayley Kuenzle, Kurtley Beale
Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Atu Moli, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Sam Carter, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, George Poolman.
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