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Force 2023

Adam84

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Forrest has made it clear that he would drop more $$$ into the Force and Australian rugby once the overall governance model changes. The new players at Rugby Australia have done a great job getting closer to him and appeasing his issues with what happened in the past. I too agree that a one management model would be a huge improvement over the current federated one. It is a tough job to get everyone onboard but I think they they are slowly moving in the right direction

Reality is the governance model shift will be one that enables PE to take a stake in RA by breaking out the commercial arm of the game and giving the PE investor a vote in the commercial direction of Australian Rugby. Tattarang are one of those suggested to be interested, which could be either good or bad.

One of the returns you want form a PE investor is to leverage the expertise that the PE firm has to expand the game, Silver Lakes/CVC have experience in the sports industry, whereas Tattarang don't. On the flipside Silver Lakes and CVC are purely there to extract ever last cent out of their investment, whereas Tattarang might view a PE stake in RA differently.
 

todd4

Jim Clark (26)

Australian deal for Wasps flier Kibirige​


Heading south: Zach Kibirige has agreed a 12-month deal with Western Force in Perth
PICTURE: Getty Images

Former Wasps flyer Zach Kibirige has agreed a deal to play Super Rugby with the Western Force for the next 12 months.
Kibirige, 28, spent seven years at Newcastle Falcons before joining Wasps in 2019.

 

Tazzmania

Ted Thorn (20)
Stoked for Hodgo and the woman's program and what better way to start the year with another Mataele in one of the Force squads.

Hodgo continues to be a beacon of hope for rugby in the west, and just like his playing days his hands on involvement shows his actions speak louder than his words.
 

Tazzmania

Ted Thorn (20)
Nice article on Planet Rugby about Reesjan Pasitoa:

Western Force: Reesjan Pasitoa wants to be the ‘Wallaby 10’

Western Force fly-half Reesjan Pasitoa has lofty ambitions for his future and wants to be the best playmaker in the world.

The 21-year-old played fantastic rugby for the Perth side last season in the Super Rugby Pacific after returning from a stint with the Brumbies that did not work.

Unfortunately for Pasitoa, a knee injury hampered any chances of receiving higher honours with the Wallabies, but his confidence remains.

“I want to be the Wallaby 10, I want to be the best 10 in the world, I’ve always said that,” Pasitoa told RugbyPass.

“In terms of winning, I want to win a Bledisloe and I want to win a World Cup. That’s my goals.

“I’ve said that since I was a little kid that I want to be the best 10 in the world. If I can get that Wallaby 10 jersey, that’s what I’m coming after.

“For now, just focus on my knee and make sure I can get back on the field healthy and fit and then like I said, just do the best I can and put my best foot forward.”

Pasiota used to play for Perth Bayswater Rugby Union Club, and he wants to inspire the next generation to want to represent their region and country in rugby.

“I remember going to games growing up as a young boy here and going to Force games and selling tickets at the front gates. Now I get to play for them which is pretty cool,” he added

“I’ll never forget this time at my club, we had our awards night and they asked us ‘who wants to be an All Black when you grow up?’ I’d argue almost everyone put their hands up.

“I think back now and why I came back is so that maybe if that question is asked again, people put their hands up for if you want to play for the Wallabies and if you want to play for the Western Force.

“I think that’d be pretty cool for young boys and girls to want to play for Australia and play for their Australian clubs.

“I guess that’s another reason why I came to try and change that mindset of things and hopefully we can be part of that change.”

Focused on Australia

The fly-half admits at one point, he wanted to play for All Blacks, but despite being a big fan of Daniel Carter, is committed to representing the Wallabies.

“Yeah (I wanted to play for the All Blacks). My favourite player and my idol was Daniel Carter, always has been.

“I grew up going for the Blues. Some of my family is in Auckland, my dad grew up in Auckland, so it’s always been for the Blues, always been for the All Blacks.

“Even in League I go for the Warriors still but I guess now I’m just really pushing for that gold jersey.

“If I could change that for young boys and girls who are growing up here in Australia, to want to play for Australia, then that’d be cool. That’s the goal.”
 

Derpus

George Gregan (70)
Honestly, a guy like Pasitoa would probably be better served developing in Europe right now. He could earn more, play more games and be exposed to better training and development.

Come back at like 24 and then have a tilt.
 
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Jimmy_Crouch

Ken Catchpole (46)
Nice article on Planet Rugby about Reesjan Pasitoa:

Western Force: Reesjan Pasitoa wants to be the ‘Wallaby 10’

Western Force fly-half Reesjan Pasitoa has lofty ambitions for his future and wants to be the best playmaker in the world.

The 21-year-old played fantastic rugby for the Perth side last season in the Super Rugby Pacific after returning from a stint with the Brumbies that did not work.

Unfortunately for Pasitoa, a knee injury hampered any chances of receiving higher honours with the Wallabies, but his confidence remains.

“I want to be the Wallaby 10, I want to be the best 10 in the world, I’ve always said that,” Pasitoa told RugbyPass.

“In terms of winning, I want to win a Bledisloe and I want to win a World Cup. That’s my goals.

“I’ve said that since I was a little kid that I want to be the best 10 in the world. If I can get that Wallaby 10 jersey, that’s what I’m coming after.

“For now, just focus on my knee and make sure I can get back on the field healthy and fit and then like I said, just do the best I can and put my best foot forward.”

Pasiota used to play for Perth Bayswater Rugby Union Club, and he wants to inspire the next generation to want to represent their region and country in rugby.

“I remember going to games growing up as a young boy here and going to Force games and selling tickets at the front gates. Now I get to play for them which is pretty cool,” he added

“I’ll never forget this time at my club, we had our awards night and they asked us ‘who wants to be an All Black when you grow up?’ I’d argue almost everyone put their hands up.

“I think back now and why I came back is so that maybe if that question is asked again, people put their hands up for if you want to play for the Wallabies and if you want to play for the Western Force.

“I think that’d be pretty cool for young boys and girls to want to play for Australia and play for their Australian clubs.

“I guess that’s another reason why I came to try and change that mindset of things and hopefully we can be part of that change.”

Focused on Australia

The fly-half admits at one point, he wanted to play for All Blacks, but despite being a big fan of Daniel Carter, is committed to representing the Wallabies.

“Yeah (I wanted to play for the All Blacks). My favourite player and my idol was Daniel Carter, always has been.

“I grew up going for the Blues. Some of my family is in Auckland, my dad grew up in Auckland, so it’s always been for the Blues, always been for the All Blacks.

“Even in League I go for the Warriors still but I guess now I’m just really pushing for that gold jersey.

“If I could change that for young boys and girls who are growing up here in Australia, to want to play for Australia, then that’d be cool. That’s the goal.”
How good. Open, honest and confident kid. Compare this to the shit show at the Broncos with Cobbo.

Good luck Reesjan I'm rooting for you to get that wallabies jersey.
 

The Ghost of Raelene

Mark Ella (57)
Honestly, a guy like Pasitoa would probably be better served developing in Europe right now. He could earn more, play more games and be exposed to better training and development.

Come back at like 24 and then have a tilt.
Potentially, but when back to full fitness the 10 Jersey at the Force is his and that's a big thing for a player to develop. The Rebels have stuffed around with 10 and it's come back to bite them tbh but that may turn with To'omua gone. Tahs may face dilemmas with Donaldson, Edmed, Harrison and Bowen below those 3. Pasitoa has every chance to play a lot of games as the guy for the Force which is the fastest way to get into a Gold jersey....(performance warranted)
 

Tazzmania

Ted Thorn (20)
Nice article on Rugby.com.au about Jackson Pugh

Ones to Watch: Jackson Pugh taking lessons from All Blacks superstars after ‘crazy’ debut season

From Rugby.com.au

There is plenty of exciting talent within the Australian clubs ready to step up as we head into the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season. In a new series, Rugby.com.au sits down with some of the players to watch starting with Western Force backrower Jackson Pugh.

Pugh is a great example of a young player making the most of his opportunity.

After sporadic appearances off the bench, the Palmyra product was handed his starting debut against Chiefs, backing it up with a Player of the Match performance in their win over Moana Pasifika.

From here, Pugh was thrust into the Australia A set-up for the Pacific Nations Cup, catching the 22-year-old completely off-guard.

“‘Gilly’ called me up, I wasn’t pretty shocked because I didn’t know why he’d be calling, I’d had him at U20s and he was a really good coach but he let me know I’d be selected. Heading to Fiji (for the Pacific Nations Cup), it was just another level up,” he explained to Rugby.com.au.

“Playing with the likes of Reece Hodge and even Langi Gleeson with his rise with the Wallabies, it definitely helped me develop and it was an unreal time meeting a lot of the boys for the first time.”

Whilst he was only featured once, a 20-minute cameo against Fiji, further opportunities were to come his way after catching the eye of NPC powerhouse Auckland.

In a team stacked with Super Rugby talent and All Blacks, Pugh became a regular starter in their push to the finals.

“They reached out looking for a lock," Pugh revealed.

"I’ve played there most of my junior years but was lucky enough to play eight every game.

“I remember my first game was the Battle of the Bridge against Auckland which had a massive build-up which made it so special plus I think the quality was pretty close to Super level."

It allowed Pugh to pick the brains of superstars such as Akira Ioane and Patrick Tuipulotu, who slotted straight back into the side alongside the Force star for the finals.

Whilst they would go down to Wellington in the semis, Pugh believes the experience was invaluable for his development.

Playing with the likes of Akira Ioane, I took a lot out of how they work on their craft,” he said.

“I know now how they train and their standards so I’m definitely looking to keep myself at that standard heading forward.

"...It’s been pretty big (year). I wasn’t expecting to make that Aussie A team but I was lucky enough to get selected and then to pick up Auckland was a great experience to play with some big names in the All Blacks. It’s been a crazy year.”

The whirlwind six months has been massive for Pugh, who admitted at times has struggled with having the necessary confidence to back his ability.

New coach Simon Cron has been big in building up the backrower, making it clear competing isn't good enough as they hunt for the finals in 2023.

“I’ve been a pretty timid, young player in the Force so it’s given me the confidence I can actually make it, the confidence to back myself has been huge,” Pugh believes.

“Simon Cron coming in as coach has been big on confidence, I’ve been talking to him a lot about that aspect so I think him coming in can really help that. He’s very big on where we are mentally and that we’re here to win, not just compete.

“We’re a very young team so coming in with those foundations that we can win has been huge.

“We want to start strong against the Rebels at home as every team does, that’s all we’re focusing on at the moment. We're about 30-odd days away so it’s about taking it week-by-week. We’re not going to look too far forward, just keeping the focus on what’s ahead
 

Hogie

Allen Oxlade (6)
Does anyone know if Campbell Parata is part of the Force squad for 2023 or has he returned to New Zealand?
 

ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)
Does anyone know if Campbell Parata is part of the Force squad for 2023 or has he returned to New Zealand?
Has not been present at pre-season sessions that I've attended and not named in the squad.
No feedback as to where he has gone.
 
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ForceFan

Chilla Wilson (44)

Australian deal for Wasps flier Kibirige​


Heading south: Zach Kibirige has agreed a 12-month deal with Western Force in Perth
PICTURE: Getty Images

Former Wasps flyer Zach Kibirige has agreed a deal to play Super Rugby with the Western Force for the next 12 months.
Kibirige, 28, spent seven years at Newcastle Falcons before joining Wasps in 2019.

Pleased to confirm that Zach Kinirige is now training with the squad.
 
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