Western Force 2021

[Forcefield]

Fantastic to see another Wallaby Lock coming back home.
Should pair well with Sita next season.
Like the idea of Thrush coming off the bench for 20 minutes to create havoc.

I like that idea too. I also like the idea of owning a panda farm. I'm not sure either will eventuate.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

From comments made at the recent recent WF Fan day the wages bill at the WF is the least of all 5 franchises.
Seems that it must be about management and building a culture - which hopefully becomes a winning one.

To me as long as improving over quality of stock of players in oz I am not getting over concerned whether force spending more as better backing and if spending less then thought that is fine too. I also liked the force also recruiting overseas Argentina players to improve the overall quality of player stocks as no doubt cheaper then cost of bringing ex wallabies playing overseas whilst I think per McLennan we need to look at quality overseas players if boosts quality of competition without reducing the footprint. To me should maybe be also seeing sides look more to South Africa as well as other area which could poach quality players and given time zone with Perth would have thought recruitment option for the force.

 

[Forcefield]

Agreed. How good has Cabus Eloff been for the Rebels?

 

[Rebels3]

Well done Force on getting Rodda, will no doubt improve the side. First team I always support is the Wallabies so getting quality back no matter the team is always something the cheer

My only concern is the 1yr deal??? It’s strange given 2023 is a WC year

 

[7137]

Well done Force on getting Rodda, will no doubt improve the side. First team I always support is the Wallabies so getting quality back no matter the team is always something the cheer

My only concern is the 1yr deal??? It’s strange given 2023 is a WC year

He’s over on a discount rate. Push hard and show his worth for a bigger contract with RA sweetener for the RWC year.

 

[Dctarget]

I like that idea too. I also like the idea of owning a panda farm. I'm not sure either will eventuate.

Niche. I like it.

 

[Dctarget]

Has Rodda been told he gets the armband for 2022?

 

[drewprint]

Turn the clocks back and Force fans felt the same way about Brand O'Connor. I hope there is a bigger story to it than just the captaincy or just money, and I suspect there is. Let the decisions he makes from here test the mettle of the man.

I wish the best for him and the Force, I really do, but I think the test of the mettle of the man is how you act when times are tough and you’re in the trenches with teammates you apparently wanted to lead. But I hope he does great things at the Force and eventually gets in to Wallaby form and contention again. I want all our quality players back playing on our shores. As others have said it’ll add some excellent spice to our future derbies!

 

[RugbyReg]

Hodgo knows Rodda very well.

Really?? How?? Where did that relationship develop? Or are you suggesting he knows him well by just offering him a lot of money?

 

[ForceFan]

Let's be serious please, WF can't keep pulling out that old chestnut.

They are the only game in town when it comes to writing big cheques. Kearney, Cubelli, Miotti, Kuridrani, Godwin, Lezana, Medrano, Robertson, Stander, Pulu. and now Rodda!!

Assuming they're all playing for fun, not cash, you may well be right..

I assume all that means that you actually know the full details of the salries at the WF.
All I know is what I was told by the CEO and the Director Rugby at the fan day.

 

[Ignoto]

Geez some Reds fan are salty. bloke did plenty of good things in a red jersey, and looked out for number 1 with a financial opportunity that was good to resist. Do not blame him one bit, it's a short career. How is what he did any different to say Samu Kerevi or Tim Horan going overseas - or BPA?

I'd go read some of the comments BPA has made in the last week or so about why he and his wife have decided to move to France.

I look forward in about 20-30 years time when the Rebels actually start producing local talent, that their fans get cranky with the shenanigans that goes on because for the last decade or so, you've always been on the better end of the deal.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I'd go read some of the comments BPA has made in the last week or so about why he and his wife have decided to move to France.

I look forward in about 20-30 years time when the Rebels actually start producing local talent, that their fans get cranky with the shenanigans that goes on because for the last decade or so, you've always been on the better end of the deal.

Hunter Paisami? BPA? Tupou? Lacking a little self awareness there mate.

Regarding BPA. He clearly has a good head on his shoulders. And is looking to set his family up long term. However, putting aside the manner in which he left, is there anything to suggest Rodda isn't looking to something similar?

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Harsh to say both force and rebels not producing talent as both doing ok there and fact is if was not for other sides like Brumbies, Rebels and Force taking on talent from NSW and QLD it would provide for fairly limited pathways given only 1 NSW and QLD side each which means would have less incentive for young people to choose rugby over say league, afl or soccer given limited pro opportunities.

People need to stop this whinging about other sides taking NSW and QLD players as clearly benefit of other non nsw and qld sides is provides additional pro pathways and helps support wider footprint which is critical for pro rugby survival and indeed ensuring sides in that footprint are competitive against each other.

 

[Ignoto]

Hunter Paisami? BPA? Tupou? Lacking a little self awareness there mate.

Hunter -

“One day, I went up to Dave and I asked him ‘what do you want me to do to try and get a shot?’ He basically answered my question on the spot; I wasn’t going to play Super Rugby at all,” Paisami tells RUGBY.com.au.

BPA - Last I heard he was a Garbo whilst playing for NSW Country

Taniela - came over after school and went through the Reds Academy

The self awareness or lack thereof only appears to come from the AFL heart land.

 

[RebelYell]

Hunter Paisami? BPA? Tupou? Lacking a little self awareness there mate.

Regarding BPA. He clearly has a good head on his shoulders. And is looking to set his family up long term. However, putting aside the manner in which he left, is there anything to suggest Rodda isn't looking to something similar?

Nailed it. Can't be bothered writing an essay, but footy players have a responsibility to look out for number 1 and the COVID wage reduction further reduced what he could earn in comparison with playing abroad. Additionally to that, he obviously wasn't particularly happy at the Reds.

One former Reds player referred to Brad Thorn as the 'least approachable person he'd ever met'. Rodda experienced some really tough times in his personal life, and for whatever reason this presented an opportunity for him to get a change of scene, which he desperately wanted for a variety of the reasons speculated above and more. Move on Reds fans.

 

[Jimmyjam]

I assume all that means that you actually know the full details of the salries at the WF.
All I know is what I was told by the CEO and the Director Rugby at the fan day.

All I know is that WF force have a roster full of internationals both foreign and Oz based whilst the Tahs have nil experienced test players and a squad of ex U20 reps plus a couple of NZ plodders. But if you say so...

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Hunter -

BPA - Last I heard he was a Garbo whilst playing for NSW Country

Taniela - came over after school and went through the Reds Academy

The self awareness or lack thereof only appears to come from the AFL heart land.

Hunter still came through the Rebels system. BPA came through the Shute Shield. And Taniela had the benefit of playing in the practically pro NZ Schools system. To claim any on them as 100% Reds products is a fair stretch. It would be like saying Carlo Tizzano is a Tahs product because he's spent a couple of years in Sydney. Nope. We have WA to thank for that.

 

[Ignoto]

To claim any on them as 100% Reds products is a fair stretch.

I didn't say anything of the like. I simply said the Rebels always seem to get the better end of the deal when it comes to talent moving around.

My reply to you was simply saying, the Reds haven't recruited anyone who is mid-contract with another club. The names you listed were all off contract when brought in by the Reds.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

I didn't say anything of the like. I simply said the Rebels always seem to get the better end of the deal when it comes to talent moving around.

My reply to you was simply saying, the Reds haven't recruited anyone who is mid-contract with another club. The names you listed were all off contract when brought in by the Reds.

You didn't say anything about recruiting players mid contract. And in regards to Rodda the Force haven't. He broke his and left for another. So he is off contract. You implied that the Rebels would feel different when they started to produce talent. Which they actually already are. Paisami is an example. Doesn't matter why he left Melbourne. In fact, if it was down to their coaches short sightedness then Rebels fans should be filthy of the off field shenanigans that saw him go.

 

[Rebels3]

Can we name another sport in the world where at the pro level it is reliant on purely local players to be fed into the team

Rugby League - No
Football - No
Basketball - No
Baseball - No
AFL - No
NFL - No

its almost like we live in some medievil world where we you fight only for where you are born.

For the record there is a very good Super Rugby team worth of talent from Vic, WA and ACT

1 Faulkner (Vic)
2 Uelese (Vic)
3 Fa'amasuili (Vic)
4 RHP (WA)
5 Hosea (Vic)
6 Valetini (Vic)
7 Tizzano (WA)
8 Samu (Vic)
9 Powell (ACT)
10 CLL (Vic) i'll cheat with this one as he no longer plays Super Rugby
11 Hansen (ACT)
12 Paisami (Vic)
13 Godwin (WA)
14 Lacey (WA)
15 DHP (WA)

Im sure i have missed some obvious ones Hardwick (WA) Koteka (WA)

Obviously not even close to the numbers of the others but it is getting bigger by the year.

If people had to play from where they are from Vic would have a very good pack

round 3 had WA with 3/4 starting 7s in the comp