Western Force 2021

[ForceFan]

So often so near but yet so far..............thanks for your efforts Western Force.
Really enjoyed watching the GRR player group + some experienced depth being part of Super Rugby Au.
Who would have thought that Pek Cowan, Kyle Godwin, Kane Koteka, Jono Lance, Richard Kahui, Greg Holmes, Ollie Atkins and Nick Frisby would be playing in Black & Blue or Black & Gold in 2020?
The lads did well with competitive efforts in most games despite the hasty preparation.
A tough ask to spend 10 weeks in 3 separate bubbles on the East Coast and away from home.
The Sea of Blue stayed strongly supportive despite no home games and are ready to welcome the lads back to Perth (after their two weeks of isolation). It will be good to see them around the local clubs again.

What a ride the Perth-based team has had over the past 3 years:
2018 - World Series Rugby
2019 - Asia and Pacific Showcase Series
2020 - A single round of Global Rapid Rugby, Covid 19 and SRAu.

Andrew Forrest and his Tattarang team have manged to keep the Western Force playing professional rugby and a development pathway open from the grass roots (RugbyRoos), the Future Force Academies (including the FF (Folau Fainga'a) Ladies) and FMG Premier Grade.
Next year we'll see a new Public Schools competition kick-off with David Pocock as its Ambassador.

Rumour has it that Mark Evans, Matt Hodgson and Tim Sampson have been actively recruiting for whatever 2021 has to offer.

GO YOU FORCE!!!!!!

 

[ForceFan]

WESTERN FORCE - CONFIRMED 2021 PLAYING SQUAD

I'll add to this as it happens.........................

Prop:
Chris Heiberg - 2021
Greg Holmes - 2021
Kieran Longbottom - 2021
Santiago Medrano - 2022 (Pumas)
Tom Robertson - 2021 (TBC)
Angus Wagner - 2022

Hooker
Feleti Kaitu'u - 2022
Andrew Ready - 2022
Jack Winchester - 2022 (Bond Uni/Reds Academy)

Lock
Fergus Lee-Warner - 2022
Ryan McCauley - 2022
Izack Rodda - 2022
Jeremy Thrush - 2021
Sitaleki Timani - 2021

Back Row
Tim Anstee - 2022
Kane Koteka - 2022
Tomas Lezana - 2022 (Pumas)
Brynard Stander - 2022

Srumhalf
Tomas Cubelli - 2021 (Pumas)
Ian Prior - 2022

Flyhalf
Jono Lance - 2021
Jake McIntyre - 2022
Domingo Miotti - 2021 (Pumas)

Centre
Kyle Godwin - 2022
Richard Kahui - 2021
Tevita Kuridrani - 2021
Henry Taefu - 2021

Outside Back
Marcel Brache - 2022
Brad Lacey - 2022
Jordan Olowofela - 2021 (Leicester Tigers/Eng U20)
Toni Pulu - 2021
Byron Ralston - 2022

Fullback
Rob Kearney - 2021
Jack McGregor (FH) - 2022
Jake Strachan - 2022

Coaches/Support Group
Tim Sampson - Head Coach - 2022
John McKee - Assistant Coach
Nick Hensley - Defence Coach
Anthony Cutrupi - Head of Athletic Performance
Luke Cooke - Head of Performance Analysis


Western Force Fortescue Academy Players
Wider Training Squad

• Bo Abra - Prop (2022)
• Victor Harris - Prop
• Jackson Pugh - Lock
• Ollie Callan - OS Flanker/Lock (2022)
• Grason Makara - Centre
• Michael McDonald - SH (2022)
• Jonah Placid - OS Back (2021)

Emerging Playing Squad

• Dante Tatafu - Prop
• Keenan Wentholt - Prop
• Connor Seve - Lock
• Faamanu Kalolo - BRow
• Reece Anapu - SH
• Finn O’Callaghan - Winger
• Luke Callan - BRow
• Zantana Tupuono-Pomare - BRow
• Alex Masibaka - BRow
• Siosifa Amone - Prop

Anton Zackey - Academy High Performance Manager
Dylan Parsons - Academy Head Coach
Ben Glynn - Academy Strength and Conditioning
Benjamin Pattenden - Academy Physio

 

[ForceFan]

Current 2020 squad (33) - excluding those recruited for SRAu 2020.

Props
Dom Hardman, Victor Harris, Chris Heiberg, Kieran Longbottom, Tom Sheminant, Angus Wagner

Hookers
Feleti Kaitu'u, Andrew Ready, Heath Tessmann

Locks
Johan Bardoul (Retired), Ben Grant, Jackson Pugh, Jeremy Thrush

Back Row
Ollie Callan, Tevin Ferris, Fergus Lee-Warner, Brynard Stander, Henry Stowers

Srumhalf
Jacob Abel, Rory O'Sullivan, Ian Prior

Flyhalf
AJ Alatimu

Centre
Nick Jooste, Grayson Makara, Henry Taefu

Outside Back
Marcel Brache, Pama Fou, Brad Lacey, Jordan Luke, Jack McGregor, Jonah Placid, Byron Ralston, Jake Strachan

SRAu 2020 Recruits (8)
Ollie Atkins, Pek Cowan, Nick Frisby, Kyle Godwin, Greg Holmes, Richard Kahui, Kane Koteka and Jono Lance.


Van Humphries - Forwards Coach

 

[kiap]

Thanks, ForceFan.

The guys had a tough road this year. Stuck to the job well, though, so I'm keen to see what happens for 2021 and where they can go.

 

[RugbyReg]

Current squad (33) - excluding those recruited for SRAu 2020.

Props
Dom Hardman, Victor Harris, Chris Heiberg, Kieran Longbottom, Tom Sheminant, Angus Wagner

Hookers
Feleti Kaitu'u, Andrew Ready, Heath Tessmann

Locks
Johan Bardoul, Ben Grant, Jackson Pugh, Jeremy Thrush

Flankers
̶Ollie Callan, Tevin Ferris, Fergus Lee-Warner, Brynard Stander, Henry Stowers

Srumhalf
Jacob Abel, Rory O'Sullivan, Ian Prior

Flyhalf
AJ Alatimu

Centre
Nick Jooste, Grayson Makara, Henry Taefu

Outside Back
Marcel Brache, Pama Fou, Brad Lacey, Jordan Luke, Jack McGregor, Jonah Placid, Byron Ralston, Jake Strachan

is that confirmed for next year? Any idea why Alitimu isn't playing Super Rugby? He's playing club here in Brisbane. I assume he was deemed behind Lance and Richie K?

 

[ForceFan]

is that confirmed for next year? Any idea why Alitimu isn't playing Super Rugby? He's playing club here in Brisbane. I assume he was deemed behind Lance and Richie K?

No - as stated it's the starting point - this year's squad.
I've a lot of time for AJ and like his play.
I think that there was a limit on the initial squad and/or he may have had an injury at squad selection time.
Will have to wait and see.
I understand that, like most clubs, the WF has started releasing players but no details known and usually such announcements are made by the club to which they move.

 

[Blackadder]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-...-record-post-covid-crowd-20200907-p55tah.html

Tom Robertson going to the Force

 

[RugbyReg]

Good signing.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yeah happy with that

 

[Blackadder]

Coach Tim Sampson admitted they had attempted to recruit disgruntled Wallabies second-rower Izack Rodda for this year’s domestic competition and while they failed, they would be pursuing him for next season. “Matt and I have put a list together,” Sampson said.

Hodgson acknowledged the club would indeed be pursuing Rodda, but a whole lot of other players beside. “You only have to look at the ability of the player and the status of that position in Australia at the moment, we’d be silly not to look at someone like him,” said Hodgson, adding that the two other Queensland “defectors”, Harry Hocking and Isaac Lucas, were also likely to be approached.

Source the Australian

Some Force targets for next year including Rodda

 

[VassMan]

I believe Harry's brother Tom who played for the Force still lives in Perth so I can see that happening.

 

[Rebel man]

Good luck for next year, did a super job to be competitive this year with all things being considered. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards

 

[Wilson]

Have heard the Force are talking to Cottrell which makes sense. With him unable to play for the rebels since the lockdown he has probably fallen down the pecking order there a bit. I imagine there will be a few more former force players they try and lure back. Deegan should probably be high on that list, particularly if the Rebels have signed Gordon.

 

[RugbyReg]

15 Isaac Lucas
14 Byron Ralston
13 Karmichael Hunt / CFS
12 Nick Jooste
11 Jonah Placid
10 Reesjan Pasitoa
9 Michael MacDonald
8 Brynard Stander
7 Carlo Tizzano
6 Fergus Lee Warner
5 Izack Rodda
4 Harry Hockings
3 Tom Robertson
2 Andrew Ready
1 Angus Wagner

Some liberties taken there, but that's a very decent 15. Need some depth around it.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

l

15 Isaac Lucas
14 Byron Ralston
13 Karmichael Hunt / CFS
12 Nick Jooste
11 Jonah Placid
10 Reesjan Pasitoa
9 Michael MacDonald
8 Brynard Stander
7 Carlo Tizzano
6 Fergus Lee Warner
5 Izack Rodda
4 Harry Hockings
3 Tom Robertson
2 Andrew Ready
1 Angus Wagner

Some liberties taken there, but that's a very decent 15. Need some depth around it.

A solid and realistic forward pack. Surprised that Wagner didn't get more time as he was very impressive. (maybe he was injured?)

Will say though that I hope Tizzano stays at the Tahs - at least for next year. With Hooper leaving on sabbatical you would imagine he is in the box seat. Also I like Ferris and think he could develop into a very handy super player so would like him to have another year starting.

 

[Braveheart81]

The biggest thing the Force need is certainty they are playing in the same competition as the other teams next year. That will put them firmly in the market for recruiting our better players if the dollars are right.

 

[sendit]

By 2022 they also need some Wallabies, whether they are home grown or brought in, they need that level of star power to be competitive and grow their marketability.

 

[Braveheart81]

By 2022 they also need some Wallabies, whether they are home grown or brought in, they need that level of star power to be competitive and grow their marketability.

That's only going to happen if they get certainty they are in the same competition and offer that pathway to test rugby. Without that they're only going to sign journeymen and unwanted players pretty much regardless of the dollars on offer.

 

[sendit]

That's only going to happen if they get certainty they are in the same competition and offer that pathway to test rugby. Without that they're only going to sign journeymen and unwanted players pretty much regardless of the dollars on offer.

Very true, guess im getting ahead of myself for a 2021 thread

 

[RugbyReg]

Tom Robertson confirmed - couldn't see a duration of contract though?

https://www.westernforce.com.au/western-force-secure-wallabies-prop/