Force 2018

[ForceFan]

Episode 3: Western Force Toyota Torque

 

[ForceFan]

Former All Black Jeremy Thrush rushes in to bolster Western Force stocks
Nick Taylor - The West Australian - Monday, 11 June 2018

Western Force will be boosted by former All Black second-rower Jeremy Thrush for their biggest World Series Rugby test against Super Rugby powerhouse Crusaders.

Thrush has arrived ahead of the clash against the reigning champions and eight time winners at nib Stadium in two weeks.
Force coach Tim Sampson said the experience of Thrush, who made a 110 Super appearances for the Hurricanes, would be invaluable to his fledgling side.

"There's an air of excitement around the place with Jeremy arriving," Sampson said.
"We're pretty keen to sit down with him and get him going in preparation for the Crusaders."

More here.....

https://thewest.com.au/sport/wester...to-bolster-western-force-stocks-ng-b88862066z

 

[ForceFan]

Fantastic seeing the young WF and WA players getting exposure to International Rugby.

Western Force pinch Melbourne Rebel Jack McGregor ahead of World Club 10s
Nick Taylor - The West Australian - Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Western Force have added strength to their inside backs, signing young playmaker Jack McGregor from the Melbourne Rebels.

The former Australian and New South Wales schoolboys representative will make his first appearance for the club in Friday’s opening round of the World Club 10s in Mauritius.

McGregor, 20, was in the Rebels squad that beat the Force 28-12 last Saturday and joins four other World Series Rugby players, props Markus Vanzati and Tom Sheminant, hooker and captain Harry Scoble and scrum-half Elliott Turner who has also moved from the Melbourne club.
All others in the 16-man squad have been drawn from RugbyWA clubs.

The Force, who won the tournament two years ago, are in a pool with the Sharks and Bulls from South Africa and the invitation Africa Pacific Dragons side.

Other teams in the three-day tournament include the French sides Montpelier and Pyrenees, Kobelco Steelers from Japan and English club Newcastle Falcons.

The Force side will be coached by former captain Matt Hodgson.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/wester...cgregor-ahead-of-world-club-10s-ng-b88865867z

Results:
WF 14:33 Sharks
WF 17:45 Bulls
WF 19:15 AP Dragons
WF 10:12 Kobelco Steelers (Unfortunately - This was the one to win)
WF 20:00 Montpellier
WF 14:19 AP Dragons (Shield Final)
WF finish 6/8 teams. (Above Sharks & Montpellier)
Well done lads.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Much more excited about a young Aussie player getting a crack than an old overrated AB.

 

[ForceFan]

Much more excited about a young Aussie player getting a crack than an old overrated AB.

Perhaps a fair call, however, both developments are important for the Western Force and for the ongoing development of rugby in WA.

The Western Force only got the go ahead in early February and had to build a new squad using the base of the few remaining players from last year.
The 34 player squad now has an average age of ~26yo - about the same as most Super Rugby squads.

Only 9 players are >30 - providing a lot of experience and leadership to the player group.
Thrush, Longbottom, Grant, Heiberg, Pisi, Tessman, Power, Bardoul, Brache are all aligned with local clubs.
This is great for club rugby in WA and particularly for the attraction and retention of players.

12 players are </= 23yo and getting the experience of regularly playing against International teams.
A young development squad is currently competing in the Mauritius 10s.

Without the Western Force the RA development pathway for WA was amateur rugby players aspiring to make the NRC Perth Spirit team and perhaps get recruited by an East Coast Super Rugby franchise.

2018 is only an interim year for the Western Force.
Quite excited about the possibilities for 2019.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Perhaps a fair call, however, both developments are important for the Western Force and for the ongoing development of rugby in WA.

The Western Force only got the go ahead in early February and had to build a new squad using the base of the few remaining players from last year.
The 34 player squad now has an average age of ~26yo - about the same as most Super Rugby squads.

Only 9 players are >30 - providing a lot of experience and leadership to the player group.
Thrush, Longbottom, Grant, Heiberg, Pisi, Tessman, Power, Bardoul, Brache are all aligned with local clubs.
This is great for club rugby in WA and particularly for the attraction and retention of players.

12 players are </= 23yo and getting the experience of regularly playing against International teams.
A young development squad is currently competing in the Mauritius 10s.

Without the Western Force the RA development pathway for WA was amateur rugby players aspiring to make the NRC Perth Spirit team and perhaps get recruited by an East Coast Super Rugby franchise.

2018 is only an interim year for the Western Force.
Quite excited about the possibilities for 2019.

I have no problem with a sprinkling of experienced foreigners to add some experience - and guidance to some of younger up and coming players.

Pinching jack McGregor pretty good for the force as good young player...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ForceFan]

Episode 4 : Western Force Toyota Torque

Some insights into Head Coach Tim Sampson and Rod Davies.

 

[ForceFan]

Episode 5: Western Force Toyota Torque

Coach Tim Sampson and Brad Lacey have a chat on the way to the "office".
Tim give some background into his love for rugby.

 

[ForceFan]

10 caps for the USA national team.
Very pleased that Marcel has been given the chance to stay in the West.
A worthy member of the leadership group.

 

[Aurelius]

10 caps for the USA national team.
Very pleased that Marcel has been given the chance to stay in the West.
A worthy member of the leadership group.

Yes, and a try-scoring machine too, which is ironic considering how long it took him to get on the board in Super Rugby.

Look forward to having him back for the rest of the series, hopefully.

 

[ForceFan]

Congratulations to the WA young ladies who won the 2018 School Girls Invitation Rugby Tournament in Canberra.

Went through the tournament undefeated and only the singly try scored against them.
WA 59:0 SA; WA 36:0 Syd West; WA 12:0 ACT; FINAL - WA 14:10 NSW Country.
Not bad result for the State with "no rugby culture" despite having the 3rd highest participation rate in the country.
Good to see RugbyWA rebuilding from grassroots after the axing of the Western Force from Super Rugby last year.

 

[ForceFan]

Episode 7: Toyota Torque
On this week's episode of Toyota Torque, it's the players turn to take a spin in the Toyota Hilux as fullback Clay Uyen talks fishing, his childhood in the Kimberley and his switch to the vegan lifestyle with teammate Leon Power.

 

[ForceFan]

Episode 6: Toyota Torque
Skipper Ian Prior takes a spin with Tim on this week's episode of Toyota Torque. They discuss Tim's culinary skills at home, his ideal dinner guests and who's impressed the coach the most so far with their interview techniques.

 

[ShtinaTina]

Hey Sea Of Blue, I shall be in attendance at the Hong Kong game! Really looking forward to it, see you there

 

[Scooter]

The last three games of World Series Rugby will also be telecast live on Twitter. How cool is that?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

The last three games of World Series Rugby will also be telecast live on Twitter. How cool is that?

That's awesome. I'll definitely be tuning in for that game via Twitter.

 

[ForceFan]

Australian Stockman Rugby Union V Western Force Sat 25th August 2018 @ NIB.

APPLY NOW - Closes Thurs 19th July
If you play #Grassroots rugby in Australia and reckon you can handle the heat of the #WesternForce then dust off the rugby resume and apply now! In 2018 we will be selecting from remote, rural and regional regions in addition to premier competitions Australia wide.
The squad will be in camp for a week in Perth arriving Sat 18th August and departing Sun 26th Aug.
There will be an individual touring cost of $2,000 per squad member (excludes travel to and from Perth and food/beverages). A fundraising toolkit and support will be provided.
Interested players are to email their resume through to info@stockmanrugby.com by 5pm (est) Thursday 19th July 2018.
Please include the following information.
Head and shoulders photo against a white wall.
Personal, playing and contact details including: name, DOB, height, weight, postal address, email, mobile, club, representative honours, years playing, rugby origins.
Strength and Fitness info: Bench press max: 3 reps, Squat max: 3 reps, 20m sprint time, 100m sprint time, 3km run time, Beep test (if available).
1x Rugby reference details (coach etc), 1 x Character reference details.
A brief paragraph on you, your ambitions, your past, why you want a shot.
Look forward to hearing from #ClubandCountry players Australia wide and watching #GrassRootsRugby stand up!#Stockies4Life #ForClubAndCountry #GrassRootsRugby #ClubLandAPPLY NOW - Closes Thurs 19th July

 

[ForceFan]

First time that I've seen the full list of Standards for Western Force men in this FaceBook post by Matt Hodgson:
"Two rugby lads who grew up & got real jobs." (Matt Hodgson & Scott Fava)

With Matt Hodgson being 4 x winner of the Force Man award and now GM High Performance Rugby for Minderoo it's no surprise to see these standards:

1. Put the club and team first before ourselves.
2. Be role models as we understand we are the pioneers of WA rugby.
3. Stay out of our comfort zone, we will work hard.
4. Show pride in the jersey. Honour those that have worn it before us.
5. Lead by actions rather than words.
6. Earn respect as a team by the opposition and the Western Australian community.
7. Show up on time, prepared and ready to train.
8. Control the controllables.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

That's awesome. I'll definitely be tuning in for that game via Twitter.

The twitter broadcast has attracted over 142k views so far.

 

[ForceFan]

Episode 8: Western Force Toyota Torque

Coach Van Humphries and Johann 'Yogi' Bardoul talk about Van's expensive eating habits, Japanese rugby and how Yogi is basically a Toyota.