ROUND 1
BRUMBIES FORCE
2022
VS
WESTERN FORCE VS BRUMBIES SUN 20 FEB GIO Stadium
COMING UP
Round 2 SAT 26 FEB 4.45PM A W A Y
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G A M E
Round 3
Round 4
FRI 4 MAR 7PM
SUN 13 MAR 12PM
H O M E
G A M E
A W A Y
G A M E
WHERE TO WATCH THE GAME
For those Members lucky enough to live in Perth, the Force has secured three venues where we can guarantee that every Western Force Super Rugby Pacific away game will be on the big screen. Choose the location that best suits you — the Brisbane Hotel (central), the Berrigan Bar and Bistro (south) and the Woodvale Tavern (north). In addition to being surrounded by the Sea of Blue, show your membership card at the bar to purchase a $9 pint of Spinifex. Spinifex Brewing Co is an Aboriginal and Veteran-owned Australian company. It has developed a high-quality, uniquely Australian beer that excites the palette. The Spinifex range includes Myrtle Summer Ale, Ginger Beer, Honey Myrtle Ale, WA Pale Ale, F88 Lager, Lighthorse Lager and the brand-new Cable Beach Sunset Ale.
Your Perth solution for all design, printing, signage and promotional needs.
LETTER
FROM THE CEO Dear Western Force Members, supporters, and Family, Welcome to the Super Rugby Pacific and Super W 2022 Season.
also depicting the ripples in the water caused by the Maali (black swan).
What a rocky road it has been over the past nine-and-a-half months for sport in WA! Securing the return of live Super Rugby at HBF Park when we take on the Queensland Reds is a massive win.
On the commercial front, Altrad has signed on as a principal partner for the next four years and will feature on the front of the jersey, while new major partner UWA claim prominence on the back. In addition, the Force has reconfirmed commitments from FMG, Goodyear and NRW Holdings. Our Super W partnerships continue to expand, with several unique opportunities in this exciting and growing competition.
It would be an understatement to suggest that Super Rugby has changed over the last three years. Super Rugby Pacific is now a true representation of the region. The Stan Sport deal struck last year provides greater access for rugby supporters with coverage on free-to-air TV and live online streaming through their platform. We have been starved of major live sporting events in Perth, but with the support of the WA government, the option of a FIFO model means WA sports fans can watch LIVE sport once again. During the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, the Force will proudly wear an Indigenous-inspired home and away jersey. Created by Nyoongar artist Darryl Bellotti, the design features swirls representing the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) with the circular patterns portraying the Boodja (land) of all the different regions within WA. The curved lines symbolise the Club’s journey, while
It is a very exciting time for the Club, and on behalf of everyone at the Western Force, once again I’d like to extend a huge thank you for your loyalty and support in 2022, as we carry the momentum we have generated on and off the park. In 2022, we strive to be the ‘Leading Force,’ and we are ‘Here to Win’.
Anthony J Lewis CEO, Western Force 3
HEAD
HEAD
IZACK 2 Darcy RODDA SWAIN
25 Age
202cM
24
34
LOCK
Height
LOCK Position
Wallabies Caps
46
Super Rugby Caps
4
200cM
Age
Height
Position
10
Wallabies Caps
38
Super Rugby Caps
Darcy Swain New Zealand v Australia 2021 Rugby Championship
Izack Rodda Australia v Argentina 2019 Rugby Championship
Izack Rodda & Darcy Swain Australia v South Africa Rugby Championship
MATCH PREVIEW
Santiago Medrano Brumbies v Force 2021 Super Rugby AU
The Western Force open their 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a trip to the capital to take on the ACT Brumbies from 11:00am AWST this Sunday at GIO Stadium. With four Force debutants and five former Brumbies lining up in the opening round clash, it’s set to be a fiery and intriguing contest in Canberra, as both sides aim for a winning start. Following a thrilling 42-33 win over the reigning Super Rugby AU champions the Queensland Reds in a pre-season trial match a fortnight ago at Ballymore, the Force enters the season with momentum on their side. The Brumbies boast a formidable home record against the Force, having won 10 of 12 in Super Rugby. Despite the numbers, Head Coach Tim Sampson insists his side is wellplaced to sway the ledger on Sunday. “We’ve adapted really well to foreign grounds, training facilities and hotels, so we’re in a good place,” Sampson explained. “We’re excited to travel down to Canberra for Round 1 and play the Brumbies on their home soil. It’s a great opportunity for us to get a win.”
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“We want to play finals rugby again. We know that a lot of hard work and effort has to go into making finals, but we’re focused on a result in Canberra.” New recruits Izack Rodda (lock), Reesjan Pasitoa (fly-half), Manasa Manataele (winger) and Bayley Kuenzle (utility back) are all poised to make their Force debuts this weekend, with Feleti Kaitu’u set to lead the side for the first time as captain in Super Rugby.
Highlights from the previous Brumbies v Force Super Rugby AU clash in 2021. Clockwise from top: Fergus Lee-Warner, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Toni Pulu and Kyle Godwin
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RugbyWA Development Team MidWest and SouthWest
With a commitment to developing the rugby community throughout Western Australia, the RugbyWA Development Team undertook a 2,200+km trip through the Mid West and SouthWest – from Mullewa to Geraldton to Dunsborough, Busselton, Margaret River and Australind. From 31 January to 10 February, RubgyWA visited over 3,400 boys and girls at 25 regional schools in the two weeks. The team provided students with clinics to teach and refine key rugby skills from passes to scrums,
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tackles and kicking. There were also strategy sessions to understand the positions and how the code mandates the way the game is played. There are more trips planned throughout 2022. The RugbyWA
Development Team is committed to developing the game in regional and Indigenous communities. What is of critical importance is not just developing the love of rugby but simply having more boys and girls involved in the sport. RugbyWA acknowledges that the support of their sponsors is important to provide these opportunities -including Western Force, Tattarang, Minderoo, Maddington & Canning Vale Toyota and BeltUp. 9
Birthplace: Suva, Fiji Date of birth: 27 November, 1996 Position: Wing Height: 185cm Weight: 100kg Super Rugby appearances: 33 Test caps: 2 (Fiji)
PLAYER PROFILE
Manasa Mataele
WHAT HIGH SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO? Marist Brothers High School in Suva, Fiji.
I’m 25, but people think I’m 30!
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST RUGBY MEMORY?
WHICH PREMIER GRADE CLUB ARE YOU AFFILIATED WITH?
Playing rugby with the boys from the neighbourhood with an empty coke bottle for the ball. 10
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Southern Lions.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL?
Sweet and sour chicken.
WHAT HIGH SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO? Brisbane SHS.
PLAYER PROFILE
Birthplace: Brisbane, Australia Date of birth: 25 December, 1996 Position: Full-back Height: 182cm Weight: 86kg Super Rugby appearances: 11
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST RUGBY MEMORY?
Playing two hand tag U7s rugby at Sunnybank Rugby Club.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SIBLINGS?
I have one younger sister named Taeliah. She’s in year 12 playing touch and starting rugby 7s this year at Sunnybank.
WHICH PREMIER GRADE CLUB ARE YOU AFFILIATED WITH? Perth-Bayswater.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MEAL? Chicken carbonara.
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WESTERN FORCE 1
Tom Robertson
2
Feleti Kaitu’u (c)
3
santiago medrano
4
fergus lee-warner
5
izack rodda
6
brynard stander
7
kane koteka
8
tim anstee
9
ian prior
10
reesjan pasitoa
11
manasa mataele
12
bayley kuenzle
13
kyle godwin (vc)
14
toni pulu
15
jake strachan
16 aNDREW READY 17 HARRISON LLOYD 18 GREG HOLMES 19 RYAN MCCAULEY 20 OLLIE CALLAN 21 ISSAK FINES-LELEIWASA 22 JAKE MCINTYRE 23 RICHARD KAHUI
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BRUMBIES 1
James Slipper
2
Folau Fainga’a
3
Allan Alaalatoa (C)
4
Darcy Swain
5
Cadeyrn Neville
6
Rob Valetini
7
Rory Scott
8
Pete Samu
9
Nic White
10 Noah Lolesio 11
Andy Muirhead
12
Irae Simone
13
Len Ikitau
14 Tom Wright 15
Tom Banks
16 Lachlan Lonergan 17 Scott Sio 18 Tom Ross 19 Nick Frost 20 Ed Kennedy 21 Ryan Lonergan 22 Ollie Sapsford 23 Jesse Mogg
Follow the gAme Live on social media for further Updates and highlight as they happen!
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Super W 2022
Head Coach Wayne Walden has named a 39-woman list for the upcoming campaign, with plenty of new faces joining the core group from last year. With three World Cup campaigns to her name (2010, 2014 and 2017), Rebecca Clough rejoins the Force adding invaluable experience and leadership. Having begun her Wallaroos journey in 2009, the powerful lock is sure to prove a crucial figure in 2022. Wallaroo Trilleen Pomare is back to captain the squad, which is brimming with homegrown Western Australian talent, including fellow Wallaroos star Ariana Hira. Walden is delighted to be leading the group in an exciting new era. “It’s been fantastic to see the drive and commitment from the squad and coaches,” Walden said. “We have a great team, and we want to play finals rugby. We built essential foundations last year despite the season ending early due to Covid-19, we are determined to keep that momentum surging forward. 14
“The growth of the women’s game in WA is clear to see with the number of players trialling for the season. I know the players are thrilled to be playing for the Western Force.” General manager of rugby Matt Hodgson, who will be overseeing the Super W program, believes this is another important chapter for the women’s rugby pathway. “Our journey last year was full of vital lessons and we’re continuing to make significant strides in the right direction with an elevated program in 2022,” Hodgson explained. “We have an ambitious squad full of experience on the big stage, which is complemented by some very exciting young talent. “I’m looking forward to seeing this group grow and develop throughout the year in what promises to be a strong competition.”
THE LEGENDS Kieran Longbottom
After announcing his retirement last year, Kieran Longbottom has been busy running Total Recovery. The recovery centre and services are based on elite athlete recovery strategies. Total Recovery makes these treatments and products accessible so everyone can benefit. New to coaching in 2022, Longbottom has been developing his coaching prowess with the Western Force Fortescue Academy. “Coaching has been great fun, it’s nice to pass on my knowledge of body positioning and technical aspects of the scrum. “I’ve spent nearly half my life at the Force after initially joining as an Academy player, so the club means a
lot to me, and I want to see everyone thrive. Being from WA, it’s fantastic to see so many homegrown players in the program. I’m confident the club is heading in the right direction to developing more local players and nurturing them into making that next step to becoming Force Super Rugby and Wallabies players.”
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MATCH Officials for Team Announcement
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Ref: Jordan Way
AR2: Rueben Keane
No 4: Brodie Ingram
AR1: Damon Murphy
TMO: James Leckie
No 5: Ben Reedy
The driving force the team behind the team
Ben Glynn
Western Force Fortescue Academy Head of Performance Ben is in charge of developing the strength, speed, power, and conditioning capabilities of all Academy players to prepare them to play Super Rugby for the Force. Ben plays a crucial role in helping aspiring players reach their true potential.
Alycia Mendoza
Membership Services Lead Alycia is responsible for one of the most important tasks of all - making sure our Members are happy! As a proud Kiwi, Alycia loves working in rugby and getting to know so many passionate Force Members. If you ever have a question as a Member, Alycia is there for you!
Cameron Jones Design Lead
Cameron ensures the Force brand looks and sounds the way we want - every bit of social, advertising, signage, videos, the whole lot! Cameron joined the Force last year and has relished working with the players.
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Training down at Nedlands: Luke Callan and Alex Masibaka
PATHWAYS Western Force Fortescue Academy players Sifa Amone, Luke Callan, Jhy Legg, George Poolman, Andrew Romano, Connor Seve and Ned Slack-Smith have all been selected for the upcoming Junior Wallabies camp in Canberra, with Justin Landman named as a shadow player. Assembling in Canberra on February 20, the Junior Wallabies will base themselves in the nation’s capital until March 1 as they prepare for the annual Oceania U20s Championship that will take place in early July this year. With five players having travelled over east last week with the senior squad and three (Amone, Callan and Poolman) featuring in the 42-33 trial match win over the Queensland Reds, this is yet another important moment for the Academy. General Manager of the Academy Chris Goodman highlighted the significance of their selection by Junior Wallabies Head Coach Nathan Grey. 18
“It’s special. They are players who have worked really hard to get to this point,” Goodman explained. “Being isolated from the rest of the country in Western Australia during Covid-19 makes it harder for them to push their case. To their credit, they’ve played some quality rugby and produced some great strength and conditioning testing results. “More importantly, they’ve contributed to the culture off the field as well. For them to gain selection to represent themselves, their families and the Force is massive.”
Joining the team for training sessions. Clockwise from top left: George Poolman, Sifa Amone, Luke Callan and Academy players training with captain Feleti Kaitu’u
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