Donaldson called up for Lions after Beale heartbreak

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: 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 three players are vying to wear the Wallabies’ No.10 jersey.

Relive Some of the best moments from our 2013 game against The British and Irish Lions 🦁 #LionsTour2013#BlastFromThePast#StrongerTogether#SeaOfBlue pic.twitter.com/y1zEXpmOSD

— Western Force (@westernforce) June 25, 2025

He said his preference was to take on the Lions in front of his home fans, but it wasn’t up to him.

“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: 15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mac Grealy, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Alex Harford, 9 Nic White (captain), 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Tiaan Tauakipulu, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Max Burey, 23 Bayley Kuenzle

Date: Saturday, June 28
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 18.00 (11.00 UK & Ireland time; 10.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Marius v d Westhuizen (South Africa)