Western Force to play ‘home’ games on the Gold Coast while Petaia set to start for Reds

The Western Force will play their two next ‘home’ games at the Gold Coast after the Queensland border closures prompted a late change of venues.

The Western Force will base themselves in northern NSW and play on the Gold Coast

The Western Force will play their two next ‘home’ games at the Gold Coast after the Queensland border closures prompted a late change of venues.

Originally scheduled to return home to Perth after being based in the Hunter Valley, the Force will now relocate to Kingscliff, near Tweed Heads on the NSW North Coast.

They will play their next two matches — against the Waratahs on August 14 and the Reds seven days later — at Cbus Stadium, taking charter buses to and from their new base camp to the ground.

The remaining fixtures for rounds nine and 10 are still to be decided but new venues will have to be found for the Melbourne Rebels, who are currently based on the NSW Central Coast and can’t play their home matches in Victoria.

This weekend’s matches are unchanged with Jordan Petaia set to be rushed straight back into the Queensland starting side for Saturday’s crunch showdown with the Waratahs after his stunning return from injury last week.

The Wallaby utility back was only supposed to play a cameo role against the Brumbies after being cleared to return from shoulder surgery but was thrown into the fray early when Chris Feauai-Sautia injured his calf.

Queensland youn gun comes into the starting side. Picture: Brendan Hertel

Petaia had a blinder, setting up a try for Harry Wilson after scoring one himself which was disallowed for an earlier infringement, and with Feauai-Sautia still sidelined, he’s certain to get a start in the only tweak to the run-on side.

Scott Malolua is set to be rewarded for his strong performance in the last-gasp loss to the Brumbies, retaining the starting halfback spot ahead of the dangerous Tate McDermott.

One-time Wallaby Jake Gordon looks likely to start at halfback for the Waratahs after making his return from a hamstring injury off the bench against the Rebels two weeks ago.

Needing to win to get back into the race for the finals, NSW coach Rob Penney is not expected to make any other changes to his starting side though there remains some doubt about Rob Simmons, who announced last week he was leaving Australia at the end of the season.

The Waratahs’ skipper broke a rib in the loss to the Rebels but last week’s bye bought the veteran lock some extra time to recover and he was able to join his teammates at training this week.

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Junior Wallaby prop Angus Bell was also back at practice this week and is expected to be recalled to the bench.

The unbeaten Brumbies are considering two changes to their starting side for Friday’s clash with the Rebels at Leichhardt Oval, in line with Dan Mckellar’s policy for rotating his squad.

The vice-captain Tom Cusack started on the bench last week but should return to openside flanker with the busy Will Miller dropping back to the reserves.

Winger Adam Muirhead is also in line for a recall, possibly at the expense of Tom Wright, while former Australian Under 20s halfback Ryan Lonergan will move on to the bench for Isaak Fines.

The Rebels are also looking at a change at halfback with Frank Lomani set to take over from the injured Ryan Louwrens and James Tuttle called on the reserves for his first match in over two years. Campbell Magnay is available for selection after missing last week’s extra-time win over the Force.