Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force name Kurtley Beale at full back in first game back since torn Achilles

Ten months to the day it was announced he was going under the surgeon’s knife to repair a ruptured Achilles, Kurtley Beale’s comeback to rugby has been confirmed. The 95-Test Wallabies veteran has been named to start at full back in Western Force’s blockbuster, top-six shaping clash with the Blues at Eden Park on Friday. It will mark a sensational return for Beale after the 36 year-old’s career looked under threat by the heel injury suffered after he had won a recall to the Wallabies squad last season. With the Force impressed by Beale’s work as an injury replacement player last season, they threw him a lifeline in pre-season, allowing him to rehab his injury with the squad with a view to taking up an injury cover contract once ready. Beale’s return appeared a simple matter of time when he joined the Force squad in flying to New Zealand for their two-game tour, and coach Simon Cron has backed in the the 2011 John Eales Medalist to start. Needing a win against the Blues to keep a tight grip on sixth spot on the ladder, the Force have had to shuffle their cards slightly due to injuries, but will be also bolstered by the return of captain Jeremy Williams. The Wallabies lock was a late scratching from the heavy defeat to the Chiefs due to a calf injury but has been named to start alongside Darcy Swain. Nic White also returns after missing out last week due to head injury protocols, but will do so off the bench after Henry Robertson retained his spot at scrum-half. The Force’s hooker depth will also be tested after Tom Horton misses out through head injury protocols and with Brandon Paenga-Amosa still sidelined with an ankle issue, it means academy product Albert Alcock will spell Nic Dolly. Reed Prinsep also comes into the back row to partner Carlo Tizzano and Nick Champion de Crespigny, while outside centre Sio Tomkinson has dropped out of the squad altogether. With Beale playing 15, Mac Grealy shifts to the wing and Bayley Kuenzle slots in at 13 in Super Rugby game no.50 to partner Hamish Stewart in the centres. With the Blues just five points behind the Force, a bonus point win by the Kiwis would see them jump ahead of the visitors heading into the final three games. The Force have never won at Eden Park, but breaking their drought at the Auckland venue could see them rise to fourth and solidify their spot in the top six. Atu Moli also returns to the bench after also being a late out against the Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Force have re-signed back-up tighthead prop Josh Smith, who is named on the bench against the Blues, on a two-year deal. The 20 year-old has made five appearances as a substitute this season. Western Force vs Blues (Eden Park, Friday 3.05pm) Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle Mac Grealy, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale Reserves: Albert Alcock, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Will Harris, Nic White, Max Burey, George Poolman.