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World Series Rugby: Rd 6 Western Force v Hong Kong Friday 10 August at 06:30PM WST

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ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
The Western Force has named it's team for the game against Hong Kong Dragons.

Good to see some of the wider squad getting run-on starts as well as the chance of 50 games for Brache and Stander.

38674357_1862954677076606_9031636836971184128_n.jpg


https://www.westernforce.com.au/western-force-v-hong-kong-dragons-team-list/


With the prospect of a rain-free evening the match day entertainment has returned to normal.

https://www.westernforce.com.au/game-day-information-force-v-hong-kong-dragons/
 

ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
The squad for the Hong Kong Dragons as follows:

1.Tau Kolomatangi
2. Mitch Andrews
3. Grant Kemp
4. Fin Field
5. Craig Lodge
6. James Sawyer
7. Josh Dowsing
8. Josh Hrstich
9. Bryn Phillips
10. Nathan De Theirry
11. Sam Purvis
12. Ben Axten-Burrett
13. Tyler Spitz
14. Charlie Higson-Smith
15. Casey Stone

16. Johnnie McCormick-Houston
17. Ben Higgins
18. Callum McFeat Smith
19. Chris Allman
20. Chris Calanza (Pierrepont)
21. Ben Willis
22. Ruan Du Plooy
23. Rob Keith
24. Lewis Warner
25. Callum Tam

It appears that at least 8 of the HK squad are capped internationals (Purvis, Spitz, Higson-Smith, Higgins, McFeat Smith, Pierrepont, Willis & Keith).

Another 2 were in the HK squad that played against a Chiefs Development XV in April. (Axten-Burrett & Warner)

Tau Kolomatangi has represented NZ U20.
 

Lindommer

Steve Williams (59)
Staff member
So, next year the Force are going to have Tessman, Scoble AND Ready in their hooker department?
 

Rebels3

Jim Lenehan (48)
Should be a smashing, but looking forward to it as its the only rugby on all weekend.
 

Rugbynutter39

Michael Lynagh (62)
Hope not. But likely will be. Will be good exercise in the need for recruitment if they are one of the 7 teams set to join the Force next year.

Perhaps but also good for HK to be one of the 7 teams given they are in the repechage competing for final cup playoff place and been improving on the world rankings. Being involved in WSR is right thing to do but is also about ensuring they are supported appropriately with marquee allowances etc which is what was really disappointing that more was not done with Sunwolves with their entry in Super Rugby. I am more confident of twiggy's team ensuing equalisation of teams with use of right tools than SANZAAR and super rugby.
 

WorkingClassRugger

David Codey (61)
Perhaps but also good for HK to be one of the 7 teams given they are in the repechage competing for final cup playoff place and been improving on the world rankings. Being involved in WSR is right thing to do but is also about ensuring they are supported appropriately with marquee allowances etc which is what was really disappointing that more was not done with Sunwolves with their entry in Super Rugby. I am more confident of twiggy's team ensuing equalisation of teams with use of right tools than SANZAAR and super rugby.


Part of the Sunwolves mandate has been to provide opportunities for players involved in the national team as well as look to qualify players. Leaves little room for marquee players. That said, there will be more wriggle room with two Japanese teams involved.

Regarding Hong Kong. I think I've said it on here (I've said it somewhere previously) that I tend to think Hong Kong is more suited to this kind of level of competition on a regular basis. As a city state team in a regionally based professional league and not necessarily a international Test team. At least in the short term.
 

ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
Andrew Forrest’s World Series Rugby is still bubbling and Hong Kong get their chance to audition against Western Force

Sam Agars - South China Morning Post - 9 August 2018

The HKRU have shown interest in the mining magnate’s breakout competition from the outset and get a first-hand look on Friday in Perth.

Hong Kong will get their first taste of Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s “World Series Rugby” when they take on the Western Force in Perth on Friday as details around a more permanent version of the mining magnate’s breakout competition remain vague.

Hong Kong have shown interest from the outset of what was initially labelled the Indo-Pacific Rugby Championship, before Forrest launched his World Series earlier this year to ensure the Force seven fixtures in 2018.

Hong Kong are the sixth team on the Force’s schedule – after the likes of Fiji A, Tonga and Samoa – and Hong Kong Rugby Union chief executive Robbie McRobbie says he will be watching Friday’s action “with keen interest”.
“It’s obviously interesting for us to see how we would stack up against the Force if we ended up in the competition,” he said.
“We are watching developments with interest and we remain interested in the competition, depending on what the details are like.
“We believe that certainly there is an intention to kick the competition off next year but that’s as much as there is to say at the moment.”

The West Australian reported last week that next year’s competition could run from March to June and feature eight teams and a A$1 million purse, with New Zealand, Japan, Fiji, Hong Kong and Singapore touted as potentially providing teams.

Forrest hatched the idea after Rugby Australia removed the Force from Super Rugby and, despite a number of hurdles, remains determined to keep his beloved side alive.

The Force have won three of their five fixtures so far and will provide a stern test for a Hong Kong side that McRobbie says will be experimental.
While about one third of the squad will be made up of current Hong Kong players, the rest will come from outside the elite rugby programme.

"It’s an opportunity for [coach] Leigh Jones to have a look at those players who might be pressing a claim for selection in the coming months,” McRobbie said. “It’s a good chance to give them a run against strong opposition and it should be a good test.”

The match forms part of Hong Kong’s build-up to the final stage of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup in Japan, which will see them take on Canada, Germany and an African side – likely Kenya – in a repechage in France in November.

https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fi...rld-series-rugby-still-bubbling-and-hong-kong
 

Rugbynutter39

Michael Lynagh (62)
Jack McGregor at 15 looks a lock in for future games. Pleased to see him getting more rugby time.

Hk should be very competitive on wsr given only chose 1/3rd of normal hk players and lot of development and club games trialled.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
In the end the Western Force 45:24 Hong King Dragons was a faor scoreline.
Always enjoy Tim Sampson's honesty - what you see is what you get.
Hong Kong maintained good pressure at the breakdown.

 

chibimatty

Jimmy Flynn (14)
Great fun last night. However, I will say that if the standard of teams involved in WSR next year is to be similar to the rep teams we've seen this year, then the Force may actually be able to ease off on high-priced signings and focus almost on a WA origin team scenario.
 

ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
Appreciate having the HD full replay so quickly available.

Commentary still needs some work but enjoyed having Gordon Bray back on board.

Excellent camera work.

 

kiap

Steve Williams (59)
Great fun last night. However, I will say that if the standard of teams involved in WSR next year is to be similar to the rep teams we've seen this year, then the Force may actually be able to ease off on high-priced signings and focus almost on a WA origin team scenario.

That's the wrong way of looking at it.

Except in one aspect, which is the Force team being WA origin-owned. The Western Force is most likely not going to be retained by Forrest. It will be unloaded, probably in an Own the Force Mark II scenario to local punters, big as well as small. He'll instead focus on control of the league.

What will happen with marquee players is teams other than the Force playing more of them.
 

ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
An interesting mix of players showed their stuff for the Western Force against Hong Kong.

Follow-on players from the 2017 Western Force (Prior, Tessman, Stander, Grant, Brache, Lacey & Scoble).
Adding to the locally developed players above (Lacey & Scoble) were Ferris and Uyen (2 tries).
Aussie returns from OS: Cameron Orr (Newcastle), Harrison Orr (Gloucester), Longbottom (Saracens).
Aussies unwanted/limited game time Aust Super Rugby sides: Vanzati, Fines-Leleiwasa, McGregor (2 tries), Lee-Warner, Power.
OS & International players: Thrush (ABs/Gloucester), Iona (Spain), Pisi (Samoa), Stowers (NZ).

It's the mix that was always talked about by IPRC/WSR.
From all accounts it will be even more extensive in 2019.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Rodney Iona could just as well be listed as an Aussie returning from O/S, due to his long association with the Brumbies.

The quality of opposition is a worry, but I was impressed with Ferris, Harrison Orr, (back rowers) and the back three of Maddocks, Lacey and Uyen. Lee-Warner again looked good when he came on with about 15 minutes to go.
 

ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
Rodney Iona could just as well be listed as an Aussie returning from O/S, due to his long association with the Brumbies.

The quality of opposition is a worry, but I was impressed with Ferris, Harrison Orr, (back rowers) and the back three of Maddocks, Lacey and Uyen. Lee-Warner again looked good when he came on with about 15 minutes to go.

Oops - Iona's Brumbies' time slipped my mind.

I assumed you meant McGregor (rather than Maddocks).
They played well together with a good mix of well-drilled discipline play and all 3 showed they have the ability to find/make the gaps.
McGregor's ability to play at #10 was on show as he drew the defenders to open up gaps for Uyen.

There are many comments about the standard of the opposition but this is a fill-in year only.
The squad was built upon those available after the Feb go-ahead.
A good foundation but it will be built upon for next year.

I do have concerns about next year but only from the viewpoint that many of the top players who have shown interest in WSR may not move due to RWC considerations.
If 2019 can be the formation year to consolidate the 8-team competition and fixture in preparation for perhaps further expansion and super-charging with marque players in 2020 then we're in for an exciting time.

Panasonic Wild Knights next Friday is shaping up as a cracker and the WF group seem to have a very clear focus.
I hope that the Western Force have its best XXIII available.
Andrew Deegan was interviewed during the game and advised that he had a corked bicep from the trial game and was hoping to be fit for the Japan game.

I like the Prior's chat about continuous game time is good preparation for the NRC.
I understand that all of the squad will be getting game time in the NRC.

The team for the match against the Australian Stockmen on 25 August will include many of the broader squad as many players will be made available for the local Club Rugby finals.
 

ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
Is the Stockmen match on 25 August in Perth?

The game is being played at Lark Hill at 6PM WST on 25 August after the Championship Premier Grade Final.

The Stockmen are also playing a RugbyWA U19 side at Waneroo on Monday, 20 August at 7PM WST.
 
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