SHINING BRIGHT OUT WEST

The arrival of some quality new recruits has given the Western Force a stronger squad with plenty of depth across all positions and a positive outlook.

Coach: Simon Cron

Captain: Ian Prior

Home ground: HBF Park, Perth

Website: www.westernforce.rugby

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au

Contact: PO Box 146, Floreat, Western Australia 6014. Phone +61 8 6118 5725

Email: info@westernforce.com.au

Team TAB odds: $151.00

LAST YEAR:

SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC: NINTH

There were four wins last campaign and the clash with the Blues summed up the potential in the Western Force side. Trailing the Blues 22–8, the home side closed to 22–18 and with time up, attacked the line for 26 phases before being denied. The impact of COVID-19 hit the team hard, with the Force having to play their last three games in just eight days.

LUCK OF THE DRAW:

Force fans have six home games at the redeveloped HBF Park in Perth, beginning with a muchanticipated clash in the opening round against historic rivals, Melbourne Rebels. After the Reds in Melbourne, the Force are back home to host Moana Pasifika before a potential season-defining three-week tour of New Zealand, taking on the Highlanders, Blues and Hurricanes.

CAMPAIGN REVIEW:

There has been a major injection of younger players into the Western Force squad for 2023. Head coach Simon Cron has recruited several talented players, dropping the squad’s average age from 27 to 24. Former All Blacks Richard Kahui and Jeremy Thrush, plus former Wallaby Greg Holmes, have finally hung up their boots with more than 400 Super Rugby games between them.

FORWARDS:

Angus Wagner, Bo Abra, Charlie Hancock, Santiago Medrano, Tom Robertson, Siosifa Amone, Andrew Romano, Feleti Kaitu’u, Folau Fainga’a, Jack Winchester, Ryan McCauley, Izack Rodda, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Will Sankey, Jackson Pugh, Kane Koteka, Michael Wells, Ollie Callan, Tim Anstee, Ned Slack-Smith, Wilton Rebolo.

BACKS:

IIan Prior, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry Robertson, Reejan Pasitoa, Hamish Stewart, Bryce Hegarty, Bayley Kuenzle, Grason Makara, George Poolman, Oliver Cummins, Chase Tiatia, Daniel Ala, Jake Strachan, Manasa Mataele, Toni Pulu, Reece Tapine, Rupeni Mataele, Sam Spink.

Ten fresh faces join the squad, including skilled first-fives Bryce Hegarty (Leicester Tigers) and Hamish Stewart (Queensland Reds), with 179 Super Rugby caps and vital experience between them.

Former Chiefs star Chase Tiatia joins a strong outside-back group with good depth, including fellow Kiwi Toni Pulu, Flying Fijian Manasa Mataele, Daniel Ala, Jake Strachan, Reece Tapine and Rupeni Mataele.

"Chase is extremely skilful and a brilliant communicator, so a great addition to our squad. Manasa, Toni and Jake have all shown how much of a threat they can be with the ball in hand, so it’s an opportunity for Reece, Daniel and Rupeni to push them in pre-season,” says Cron.

The squad includes four capped Wallabies in Folau Fainga’a, Izack Rodda, Tom Robertson and Feleti Kaitu’u. Argentinian prop Santiago Medrano is a crowd favourite among the Force faithful. The return of the highly regarded Medrano adds some much-needed scrummaging expertise and bigmatch experience to the front-row depth. Wilton Rebolo, who can play tighthead prop and hooker, is the first Brazilian international to play Super Rugby and joins from MLR side United Rugby New York.

“Our front rowers give us mobility around the park and X-factor. Here, we have a diverse age split in players. We’ve got some experienced players and a next level coming through. They will push each other and create competition in the squad,” says Cron.

English centre Sam Spink has moved to Perth on a two-year deal from Wasps RFC. The 23-year-old is a dynamic ball-carrier and has represented England at under-18 and under-20 levels.

Promising players to watch, who may get game time depending on form and injuries, include Tim Anstee, Jeremy Williams, Ollie Callan, Jackson Pugh and Bayley Kuenzle, who all represented Australia A last year.

WHO’S NEW:

Forwards: Andrew Romano (Worcester, England), Wilton Rebolo (USA), Folau Fainga’a (Brumbies), Felix Kalapu (North Harbour), Jeremy Williams (Waratahs), Michael Wells (Rebels).

Backs: Henry Robertson (Waratahs), Bryce Hegarty (Leicester), Hamish Stewart (Reds), Sam Spink (Wasps), Chase Tiatia (Chiefs).

WHO’S THROUGH: www.schickfreeyourskin.co.nz

Forwards: Greg Holmes (retired), Andrew Ready (Colomiers), Jeremy Thrush (retired), Sitaleki Timani (Toulon), Brynard Stander (overseas).

Backs: Michael McDonald (Ulster), Jake McIntyre (Perpignan), Richard Kahui (retired), Kyle Godwin (Lyon), Byron Ralston (Connacht), Fergus Lee-Warner (England), Brad Lacey (released), Jack McGregor (released), Harry Lloyd (released), Jackson Pugh (released).

Don’t bend over backwards for hard-to-reach areas. Get Schick Hydro® 5 with a flip-back top, for precise edging.