2023 Super W R5 & Super Rugby Pacific R9

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Round 12 FRI 12 MAY 5:35PM

Round 13 SAT 20 MAY 8PM

Round 15 SAT 3 JUN 8PM

WHAT’s on AROUND THE GROUNDS?

2:50PM GATE 1 OPENS

Look out for the COMPLIMENTARY face painters to show your Force spirit.

FAMILY FUN ZONE

Check out Gate 1 for loads of FREE activities ANZAC craft, a photo booth, bouncy castle and plenty of fun for everyone!

3:05PM KICK-OFF RD 5 SUPER W V BRUMBIES

MEMBERS LOUNGE BBQ TERRACE OPEN

3:35PM MEMBERS LOUNGE SOUTH MARQUEE OPENS

4:05PM ALL GATES OPEN

5:20PM PRE-GAME ANZAC CEREMONY COMMENCE

Make your way to your seats to watch a traditional ANZAC ceremony along with the National Anthems of Australia and New Zealand, amongst other pre-match activities.

5:35PM KICK-OFF RD 9 SUPER RUGBY V HIGHLANDERS

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Western Force Members, Supporters, and Family,

This week couldn't be more fitting for our return to HBF Park as we host the first double header for the regular season. Our men face one of their toughest tests going head-to-head with the formidable Highlanders in bidding for a place in the finals. With the return of captain Michael Wells and experienced fly-half Bryce Hegarty, the men will be lifted heading into their third game in front of the ever-faithful Sea of Blue.

Fresh off last week's win against the 2022 champions at UWA Sports Park, the Super W team is energised and confident ahead of their clash with the Brumbies. A win will guarantee us a place in the semi-final.

The Western Force will honour the ANZAC legacy this Round. The fixture will feature a traditional ANZAC ceremony along with the National Anthems of Australia and New Zealand, amongst other prematch activities. Hosting the annual Hughes-Dreibergs Cup at Cottesloe Rugby Club, between the Australian Defence Force and the WA Police Force, was again a great success. The Force will continue to honour those who serve.

The objective for both squads and coaches over the next month is to control the controllables. More than ever, we need your support as we host three more home games at HBF Park.

It is getting to the tail end of the season, and this is where we bring it home here to the West. So come out in force! Tell your family and friends there is no sport with more action than Rugby! Feel the Force!

Yours in rugby,

WESTERN

STARTING XV

1 Natsuki Kashiwagi

2 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke

3 Penina Tuilaepa

4 Michaela Leonard

5 Libya Teepa

6 Ashlee Knight

7 Leah Miles

8 Sera Ravatudei

9 Kendra Fell

10 Nicole Ledington

11 Martha Mataele

12 Trilleen Pomare (C)

13 Langley Sesega

14 Rachel Laqeretabua

15 Aiysha Wigley

FINISHERS

16 Lynn Koelman

17 Angel Schwencke

18 Eilis Doyle

19 Katie Barnes

20 Keira MacAskill

21 Samantha Wood

22 Ariana Hira-Herangi

23 Saelua Leaula

Match PREVIEW

It's not the grand final, but it may as well be. The Western Force women need to win this match to secure a historical finals berth.

The Force is currently sitting in 4th on 8 points, with the Brumbies in 5th on 6. If the Force win, we are in the finals. If the visitors win, they'll go through. It's that simple!

This season has been a breakthrough for the Force women, and they'll carry confidence and momentum into their final round after stirring wins against the Rebels and the defending champions, the Fijiana Drua.

The skill level of the Force women has improved out of sight under head coach Matt Hodgson. They can play with width, which means more ball for wingers Martha Mataele and Rachel Laqeretabua, who have been in scintillating form.

Having two ball players in Nicole Ledington at fly-half and the evergreen Trilleen Pomare in the centre has worked well for the

Force. Their combination will greatly affect the outcome of the match against the Brumbies. Up front, flanker Lean Miles was outstanding against the Drua, and she'll be looking forward to another big game.

Like the Force, the Brumbies will be up for this match. They won in a thriller against the Rebels. They know they're only 80 minutes away from a final spot. The Brumbies will likely throw the ball around and have great finishers in Apryll Green and Biola Dawa, who can score tries from anywhere.

The Force must shut down the Brumbies attack early, trust their own systems and play like there's no tomorrow. Because if they don't, there won't be.

Prediction

Force 20 /// Brumbies 15

Zakiya Kereopa attempts to try, Round 5, Super W 2022, Viking Park

Training insight

HAMISH STEWART

After four games away, how is the team?

What is the focus for Saturday’s match?

It's all about stringing together back-to-back performances and being consistent in the games. We have had spectacular glimpses in every match, but now we must maintain this for the full 80 minutes.

The boys are in good spirits. We have been away for some time.

So the fact that we are playing at home, in front of the Sea of Blue, has made the group that extra bit excited.

You are switching up between 10 and 12, how are you adjusting to this?

Personally, I have to be versatile. If there is an injury in a game, the team must adapt and bounce back. So switching between the centre and 10 is something that I am embracing.

A matter of honour

Ryan McCauley honours brother this Armed Forces Round

The Western Force will play in honour of the service men and women this Saturday, holding a personal sentiment to Force Lock Ryan McCauley.

McCauley "couldn't be closer" to his brother, who is currently serving in the Armed Forces.

"He has sacrificed a lot, living all around Australia and deployed overseas once. I don't often tell him, but I am very proud of him. He loves what he does, and my family is very proud of him, he has worked bloody hard to get to where he is now."

"I will be playing for him this Saturday."

The two have lived together in Perth, sharing stories of their careers over the kitchen table for the past 18 months.

"You don't often see what they do. They put a lot of work in behind the scenes. We often talk over dinner about the similarities of our training and leadership structures; this connects us in a way."

ARMED FORCES ROUND

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"My brother has a Force Membership even though I can give him my tickets every week. He and his mates from the Army all get their Memberships each year and sit in the same seats; they love it."

The club's continued efforts each year to uphold our gratitude to those who have served in many ways is not lost on McCauley or the wider playing group.

Since I've been here, we have emphasised ANZAC Round and supporting our Armed Forces by getting in touch with them throughout the week and the season. It's a great thing we do as a club."

When the men face our trans-Tasman counterparts on Saturday night, the match will also symbolise the great mateship that Australian and

New Zealanders share — stemming from our allied front on the world's battlefields.

The fixture will feature a traditional ANZAC ceremony along with the National Anthems of Australia and New Zealand, amongst other pre-match activities. McCauley acknowledges that these services each year are a reminder of the selfless acts of his brother and the others that have served before him.

"The Last Post is very moving. Nno matter how many times you listen to it; it always reminds me of what the ANZACs sacrificed for us."

CRICOS: 00126G | PRV12169, AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY | BMR1085160645

STARTING XV

WESTERN

1 Tom Robertson

Tom Horton

Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco

Match PREVIEW

THANKS TO The Rugby Wrap podcast

Out every Thursday morning on Apple, Spotify and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

It has been six long weeks since the Force last played at home. The four away matches in a row were certainly character-building. But as we all sensed last weekend — and as Force coach Simon Cron has nicely put it — enough is enough.

The men in blue need to start strong this week against the Highlanders. The last time these two teams met, it was the arm wrestle everyone expected, with the Highlanders eventually overwhelming the Force to get the win. There was nothing flashy about the way they went about it, but they did enough to get the points on the day.

For the Force, a good quality opening 15-20 minutes, with minimal penalties and plenty of patience, will be the order of the day before finishing the game with the usual quality we’ve all seen week in and week out.

It’s a cliché, but players need to stay switched on for the full 80 minutes.

Those little lapses in concentration, when kicks don’t go out or avoidable penalties are conceded, must be eliminated.

The Force has the Sea of Blue faithful in their corner this week in the newly refurbished HBF Park. It has finally become something of a fortress and the home crowd will be vocal and eager to see another win.

Key areas to watch will be how the Force tightens up their ruck defence to deny the Highlanders space around the edges. They can’t give the Highlander’s halfback any wriggle room to sneak through and link to some of their damaging ball runners.

Tom Horton tries on his Force debut, Round 4, Super Rugby Pacific 2023, Invercargill

The battle of the back three will be an interesting encounter, with both sides having plenty of x-factor and try-scoring ability. The mid-field and back row will be a grafting affair, and we expect the Force tight five to more than hold their own against the Highlanders pack. The Force should fancy themselves at lineout time, with this week’s Rugby Wrap podcast guest, Jeremy Williams, maturing and enjoying his role as the lineout leader.

The challenge is to fire from the start. The Force would love nothing more than a third straight win at home and the chance to belt out another 80s classic in the refurbished sheds.

Manasa Mataele, Round 13, Super Rugbby Pacific 2022, Dunedin

Angus Wagner scores a try, Round 13, Super Rugby Pacific 2021 HBF Park

Force legend Sam Wykes, Round 15, Super Rugby 2015, nib Stadium

2023 RugbyWA Locker Room Lunch

FEATURING EDDIE JONES

RugbyWA, in partnership with the Future Force Foundation, is excited to announce the Inaugural 2023 Locker Room Lunch on Friday, 19 May at the University of Western Australia Club.

We look forward to welcoming Eddie Jones as our special guest speaker, who will give us the inside scoop from Wallabies camp as they head into their World Cup preparations. We will also hear from City of Perth Lord Mayor, Basil Zempilas, who will speak about putting Perth on the map as a world class sporting destination. Additional guest speakers to be announced soon.

Guests will be feasting on a delicious three-course meal including slowroasted lamb roast or fillet steak for main course. (Vegetarian options are also available) We have teamed up with our great friends Moss Wood Wines, who will be providing an exclusive

tasting of their newly released 2020 vintage. Wine will be paired with all three courses.

An auction with follow lunch, with all money raised invested in the continued development of our great game.

This exclusive event is bound to sell out, so ensure to reserve your tables early to avoid disappointment!

Guest Speaker Eddie Jones

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PLAYER SNAPSHOTS

Born: Perth, Australia

Which rugby player do you look up to and why?

Jonah Lomu. He was an athlete that my entire family looked up to, my brother is named after him.

Who inspired you to play rugby?

My partner Josh loves the game! After quitting competitive swimming, he pushed me to join a 'social, team sport' for fun to stay active. I couldn't have learnt the game and grown the passion I have for it now without his support.

What’s your advice to a kid aspiring to be a rugby player?

Be a sponge. Take onboard all feedback you can to improve your skills and game.

Favourite workout track?

Be Your Girl - Kaytranada and Teedra Moses

Born: London and moved to Perth at 9 years old

Which rugby player do you look up to?

Debby Carley, she’s an absolute workhouse! Who inspired you to play rugby?

Tyler Edwards. He was the teacher at my school, Kolbe Catholic College, who trained me and started the girls’ school team

What are some of your career goals?

Win a premiership with the Force!

What do you love most about the Sea of Blue? Their undying passion for the Force!

What’s your advice to a kid aspiring to be a rugby player?

Never give up on your goals

Favourite workout track?

R&B Throwbacks

PLAYER SNAPSHOTS

Born:

Newcastle but raised in Brisbane

Which rugby player do you look up to?

Bismarck du Plessis in his prime

Who inspired you to play rugby?:

Kupu Vanisi – my Dad’s first cousin, who played for the Hurricanes and All Blacks with the likes of Jonah Lomu, Tana Umaga and Jerry Collins!

What does your game day ritual look like?

Stay pretty relaxed nowadays. Solid breakfast, couple tunes and away we go!

Favourite workout track?

Any Shaggy song gets the body swaying

Born:

Surrey, England

What was your junior rugby club?

Teddington Rugby

Which rugby player do you look up to?

Ma’a Nonu

What do you love most about the Sea of Blue?

I love the atmosphere they bring to games.

What’s your advice to a kid aspiring to be a rugby player?

It’s not meant to be easy. Everyone’s journey might look slightly different.

Favourite workout track?

“No Man, No Cry” by Jimmy Sax

Sam Spink

Feleti Kaitu’u

THE 2 23 WINTER RANGE OUT NOW

2023 Western Force Fortescue Academy on the Rise

The Western Force Academy is comprised of 12 homegrown West Australians, eight talents from interstate.

In between Academy and Super Rugby commitments, four Force players have been named in the Junior Wallabies Squad training camp this week.

As preparations build for the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 in South Africa, Ned Slack-Smith (back row, Palmyra), Marley Pearce (prop, Joondalup Brothers), Jhy Legg (lock, Wests Scarborough) and Ryan McGloin (wing, Joondalup Brothers) will depart for Canberra on Sunday, 23 April for a seven-day training camp.

General manager of Academy

Chris Goodman, is thrilled with the Academy squad players selected this season, stating, "they add value to not only our team but our club culture and to the community at large."

Goodman is confident the Fortescue Academy program has holistically evolved into one of

the best across the nation.

"The point of difference here is our program’s holistic approach to development. Rugby is not who they are; it's not their entire identity. We want the players to be their authentic selves and to be proud of who they are. We want to work hard, but we also get a lot of enjoyment out of doing so."

“We want and have recruited guys that are hardworking, honest, that show integrity, and are willing to add value to the club and themselves. These key aspects add to our players on-field performance.”

Find out more about the Western Force Fortescue Academy players here: westernforce.rugby/ 2023-Fortescue-Academy

Academy graduate George Poolman crosses for a try against Moana Pasifika, Round 3, Super Rugby Pacific 2023, HBF Park

50 CAPS 50 CAPS 50 CAPS 50 CAPS 50 CAPS 50 CAPS 50 CAPS

MAnasa MATAELE

50 super rugby caps

FEEL THE F RCE

5:35pm

FRI 12 MAY

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