The Phoenix
Sydney Middleton (9)
Isn't he playing finals for Brothers? I don't know why he's not playing club rugby in Perth but maybe Cron sees value in the intensity of Brisbane finals. But it is strange.
Western Force 2024
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Filipo Daugunu
Peter Burge (5)
Team to play Cheetahs?:
- Angus Wagner
- Tom Horton
- Tiaan Tauakipulu
- Lopeti Faifua
- Jeremy Williams
- Jackson Pugh
- Carlo Tizzano
- Fa’amanu Kalolo
- Henry Robertson
- Reesjan Pasitoa
- George Poolman
- Bailey Kienzle
- Sam Spink
- Harry Potter
- Max Burey
ForceFan
Chilla Wilson (44)
Hamish has nothing to prove within this development squad.
He's obviously enjoying his off-season time closer to family and friends.
His commitment to the West is for SRP (Super Rugby Pacific).
Helped Brothers get a good win over Bond Uni.
Development squad? The one with Ian Prior?
There is talk he’s been very homesick so a good option to allow him to stay home for some time. Having Hoopert over in Perth May help as they are good mates.
ForceFan
Chilla Wilson (44)
Yes, the ex-Captain Ian Prior with the development squad to provide some experience and leadership from within.
Makes sense to me........
The average age of the touring squad is <23yo.
Last edited:
Tazzmania
Charlie Fox (21)
Great to see Dane back and involved with the Force
Dane Haylett-Petty & Niamh O'Connor appointed to Western Force Board
The Western Force is delighted to announce the appointment of two independent board members, Dane Haylett-Petty and Niamh O'Connor.
Haylett-Petty's 38-Test career started at the Force, making his professional debut at 19 years old. Widely known as a gentleman of the game, he scored 12 tries for Australia over five years.
Passionate about rugby's growth in WA in recent years, the 34-year-old has been heavily involved in community rugby and the Future Force Foundation......
Read More
Dane Haylett-Petty & Niamh O'Connor appointed to Western Force Board
The Western Force is delighted to announce the appointment of two independent board members, Dane Haylett-Petty and Niamh O'Connor.
Haylett-Petty's 38-Test career started at the Force, making his professional debut at 19 years old. Widely known as a gentleman of the game, he scored 12 tries for Australia over five years.
Passionate about rugby's growth in WA in recent years, the 34-year-old has been heavily involved in community rugby and the Future Force Foundation......
Read More
Mr Pilfer
Bob Loudon (25)
Yep and pretty sure prior wouldn’t be there if IFL and White were available
Quite a few other names missing who are on international duty, playing NPC or have been playing club rugby so building some nice depth
ForceFan
Chilla Wilson (44)
Santiago Medrano extends through 2024.
Pleasing news.
By my count that's 32 confirmed signings with Amone and Harry Robertson still to come.
Average age 25yo with currently 3 players 30yo or more.
Looking forward to more announcements.
Pleasing news.
By my count that's 32 confirmed signings with Amone and Harry Robertson still to come.
Average age 25yo with currently 3 players 30yo or more.
Looking forward to more announcements.
Tazzmania
Charlie Fox (21)
and another huge man in the form of Atu Moli
Western Force signs former All-Blacks prop Atu Moli
The Western Force’s squad for the 2024 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific season continues to take shape with the announcement of the signing of former All-Blacks prop Atu Moli.
The 28-year-old has five caps for New Zealand including playing at the 2019 Rugby World Cup where the All-Blacks finished third.
Moli can play tighthead and loosehead prop, offering versatility to the Force scrum line-up. He will relocate to Perth later this year having been with the Chiefs since 2016, where he made 53 Super Rugby appearances and scored three tries.
The former All-Black also captained his country at Under-20 level, leading the side to the 2015 World Rugby Under-20 Championship title.
Moli’s signing follows the contract extension of fellow prop Santiago Medrano, along with the addition of off-season recruits Lopefi Taifua, Harry Hoopert, Will Harris, Harry Potter, Ben Donaldson and Nic White for the 2024 season.
Force head coach Simon Cron was thrilled to add a player of Moli’s calibre and experience to his squad.
“One of the positions we needed to add squad depth was at tighthead prop,” Cron said.
Read More
Western Force signs former All-Blacks prop Atu Moli
The Western Force’s squad for the 2024 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific season continues to take shape with the announcement of the signing of former All-Blacks prop Atu Moli.
The 28-year-old has five caps for New Zealand including playing at the 2019 Rugby World Cup where the All-Blacks finished third.
Moli can play tighthead and loosehead prop, offering versatility to the Force scrum line-up. He will relocate to Perth later this year having been with the Chiefs since 2016, where he made 53 Super Rugby appearances and scored three tries.
The former All-Black also captained his country at Under-20 level, leading the side to the 2015 World Rugby Under-20 Championship title.
Moli’s signing follows the contract extension of fellow prop Santiago Medrano, along with the addition of off-season recruits Lopefi Taifua, Harry Hoopert, Will Harris, Harry Potter, Ben Donaldson and Nic White for the 2024 season.
Force head coach Simon Cron was thrilled to add a player of Moli’s calibre and experience to his squad.
“One of the positions we needed to add squad depth was at tighthead prop,” Cron said.
Read More
Like a fine wine, props only get better with age.
WFDS
Herbert Moran (7)
We did have a few decent Aussies before we got canned!
Still rebuilding!
Jimmyjam
Darby Loudon (17)
This is what happens when the local talent is warehoused in some clubs. For example:
Rebels now have 3 wallaby TH's in T Tupou, Pone and Sam Talaki. They could all be potentially starting at different Super Rugby clubs.
Brumbies have 3 Wallaby hookers and 4 Wallaby locks (if you count T Hooper)
Tahs had too many backrowers, (2 have now left with Hooper ret and Will Harris to the Force)
Reds had too many o/s backs & centres, but were very light on props and locks.
There are more examples, but the picture is clear.
When you spread these around a bit more, you have far less reliance on foreign talent........................
Centralised contracting or some sort of draft fixes this pretty easily, then you can call in a few o/s players to fill fewer gaps with our local talent getting more games.
Caputo
Billy Sheehan (19)
I disagree and feel it is great as a motherhood statement and when you drill down the reasons might be different. Centralised contracts may compound some of the problems. Each Australian Super Rugby Clubs play differently. Coaches judge players differently.
Example for Brumbies contracted Prop Vella does ACL in preseason game against Waratahs. 2 Players uncontracted with train on gigs fill in Schoupp not on the radar at the Waratahs and Van Nek unwanted by Rebels and considered by Qld as fringe prop at best. Now 1 is Wallaby & the other Aust A.
Brumbies Hookers in 2022 had 4 Wallabies. FF (Folau Fainga'a) was originally picked up from Sydney Uni where contracted in 2018 behind Robbie Abell & Josh Mann Rea had 2023 at WF now overseas. Connal McInerney a Canberra local moved to Sydney Shute Shield & injuries in 2018 to Abell & Mann Rea bought McInerney back as supplementary 4 week contract. Lonergan a local kid and signed in 2020. Pollard highly rated signed for Brumbies from Sydney school in 2020 did apprenticeship at Brumbies now 21 year old. Current Hookers varied ages McInerney 28 years old Lonergan 23 and Pollard 21,
TheRugbyGURU95
Frank Nicholson (4)
You guys missed Henry O'Donnell being signed, good young prospect he is!
TheRugbyGURU95
Frank Nicholson (4)
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
That's a great pick up indeed.
Jimmyjam
Darby Loudon (17)
The reasons/stories are completely irrelevant and nothing specifically to do with the Brumbies. It's about having starting quality players from Australia starting somewhere and Super Rugby clubs then not having to import non qualified players to fill Super Rugby spots. We should not have to have clubs import TH props when there are 3 Wallaby TH internationals at one franchise. Keep 2, release one to play elsewhere. Simple, and same goes for every OZ franchise with every position in which there are imbalances. It's not good for anyone to have quality players not getting games due to stacked rosters. Especially when those doing the stacking are importing all their players from QLD and NSW anyway.