Western Force 2021

[ForceFan]

Did anyone see the irony for the sign on of Heiburg and Ready the use of the term Firepower. It has been over 10 years.

No irony just the ability to laugh at ourselves.

 

[Adam84]

Twiggy Forrests private investment arm has now bought R M Williams for $190million, wonder if the lads will pick up a sponsorship with them now.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Anyone notice any players not named in the squad in the Facebook pictures today?

 

[ForceFan]

Good article from the West Australian.
First time Michael McDonald's name has been mentioned.

 

[Rebels3]

Good article from the West Australian.
First time Michael McDonald's name has been mentioned.

View attachment 11900

Santiago Iglesias is an interesting one. Experience but not sure if he’s better than the incumbent like Montoya and Cubelli are. Solid depth option tho

 

[RugbyReg]

good news about Michael McDonald at least.

 

[Rebels3]

Santiago Iglesias is an interesting one. Experience but not sure if he’s better than the incumbent like Montoya and Cubelli are. Solid depth option tho

Apparently it’s not Iglesias it will be Medrano (prop) as previously rumored

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

good news about Michael McDonald at least.

Surely Godard gets a run with the Waratahs if that is the case. McDonald is a great get back by the Force. Quality player.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Thought McDonald was the pick of the No 9s at U20s. Did he even get any game time with the Tahs this year? I don't recollect it if he did.

 

[kiap]

New forwards coach is the former Fijian RWC head coach, John McKee.

​

… McKee was in charge of the ‘Flying Fijians’ from 2014-2019 and was credited with helping enhance high-performance pathways and raise the standards of the national side.

… “It was fantastic to see the Force in Super Rugby AU this year,” McKee said in a statement. “The style of rugby they played throughout the competition showed how much potential there is within the group.”​

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-...er-fiji-coach-mckee-joins-force-idUSKBN2780IL

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

John McKee. Great pick up.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Irony is because of twiggy financial backing - force likely to be favoured destination for players wanting to move to another oz pro club.

Recruitment wise force in pole position to build very strong roster and reflects why released 15 players

 

[kiap]

it will be Medrano (prop) as previously rumored

Being reported now, in the West and o/s:

http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2020/10/23/western-force-set-to-sign-santiago-medrano/

 

[ForceFan]

Or maybe both of the Santiagos - Medrano and Iglesias.
I hope so....

Western Force set to add more Argentinian beef to their pack via World Cup star Santiago Medrano
Nick Taylor - The West Australian -Sat, 24 October 2020

Western Force are set to add more Argentinian beef to their pack, with prop Santiago Medrano to join their growing legion of international stars for next season’s Super Rugby competition.

Medrano, 24, would be the fourth Los Pumas World Cup player joining the Force.

Hooker Julián Montoya and scrum-half Tomás Cubelli have already been confirmed while fly-half Santiago Iglesias is expected to be announced shortly.

All four are in Sydney with the Argentinian squad preparing for next month’s tri-nations Rugby Championship tournament against Australia and New Zealand.

They were all four players were in last year’s Argentinian Rugby World Cup squad in Japan and in the 2019 Jaguares Super Rugby squad that reached the final where they were beaten by the Crusaders.
Medrano made both his Super Rugby debut for the Jaguares and his first international appearance two years ago. He has 18 caps for Argentina and played 30 Super matches.

The Force have also signed legendary Irish full-back Rob Kearney, former All Blacks second-rower Jeremy Thrush and centre Richard Kahui .

They will be join a growing international group including Wallabies centres Tevita Kuridrani and Kyle Godwin and front-rowers Greg Holmes and Tom Robertson.

A priority for coach Tim Samspon is adding at least one second-rower to join Jeremy Thrush and Fergus Lee-Warner and another back-rower.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-u...ng-b881702548z

 

[Adam84]

Western Jaguares

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Western Jaguares

But you think about it - for Argentina players having nice group of 4 of your country man with you is good thing to aclimatise - we know we don’t have depth for 5 sides and hence liking the force outside investment (because compared to other oz rugby sides that can only be good thing...

This is smart stuff by force as they are investing in grass roots but that comes with a lag and hence investing in short term outside talent....

 

[dru]

Western Jaguares

I think it’s great.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Ps yep they (force)definitely need another ‘name’ lock and backrower.
Personally think they need another name winger...

 

[Forcefield]

Agree 100%. All majors spots are filled except 1-2 locks (I'd consider FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) a 6 now), another 6/8 and a winger.

 

[ForceFan]

Very pleased to see Anthony Cutrupi join the WF as Head of Athletic Perfomance

The Driving Force – Anthony Cutrupi

October 26, 2020
Joining the club from the NSW Waratahs, Anthony brings a wealth of experience and is tasked with ensuring the squad is in peak condition for what promises to be an exciting season in 2021.
Read/see more........

Have been doing some research.
Recruiting "Trupe" appears to be great move by the WF as he appears to be on of the best strength and conditioning coaches in Australian rugby.
Two learnings from last year's Super Rugby was the need to build better depth off the bench and fitness over the last 30 minutes.
Some targetted recruitment seems to be addressing the first and Trupe seems very well qualified to address the second.