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S P E C I A L
E D I T I O N
G A M E
D A Y
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FRIDAY
25 March 2022
H B F PA R K P E R T H
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HERITAGE ROUND
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COMING UP... H O M E
G A M E
H O M E
G A M E
BYE MEN’S TEAM
WOMEN’S TEAM
Round 7
Round 8
Round 9
1-2 APR
FRI 8 APR 5.45PM
SAT 16 APR 5.45PM
SEMI FINALS Round 6 FRI 8 APR 7.45PM
A W A Y
$
THUR 14 APRIL
Round 5 SUN 3 APR 12PM G A M E
H O M E
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Game Day Information SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC Round 5 /// SUPER W Round 3
Fijian Drua FORCE
ROUND 3
FORCE REDS
VS
VS
SUPER RUGBY
PACIFIC ROUND
WARATA FORCEHS 4 /// SUPER W ROUND
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Fijian & Fijiana Drua VS WESTERN FORCE Sat 19 March Leichhardt Oval, SYDNEY
2022
FORCE WESTERN VS s AND Red QUEENSL ARCH FRI 4 M , PERTH HBF Park
2022
Look out for the roaming COMPLIMENTARY face painters to show your Force spirit.
2022
6.00PM Gates Open
NSW WA RATAHS VS
WESTERN FORCE SUN 13 M ARCH Leichhar dt Ovalk
, SYDNEY
Family Fun Zone
Check out Gate 1 for loads of FREE activities from a photobooth to amusement rides; there is plenty of fun for everyone.
6:45PM Pre-Game Entertainment Make your way to your seats to watch the entertainment, including an exciting fireworks show!
SCAN TO GET THE MATCH PROGRAMMEME HERE EVERY WEEK
7:00pm kick-off
Half Time Entertainment
Don’t miss the crowd favourites - the Harvey Beef Bolt and Retravision Catch for Cash! During the game, we’ll have a QR code on the big screen to register your interest for future games.
Your Perth solution for all design, printing, signage and promotional needs.
LETTER
FROM THE CEO Dear Western Force Members, Supporters, and Family, It is fantastic to have you all back at HBF Park as we celebrate the history of our beloved game in Western Australia. I had the privilege of representing the WA state team and playing club rugby for Western Suburbs (now Wests Scarborough) in the late 1980s. I have seen first-hand how much the game means to the extensive community in WA and how much it has grown over the years. I’m proud to be part of the Old Gold family and it’s great to have so many of the representatives at the game.
After battling against each other on the field during his time at the Associates, Geoff Stooke was instrumental in the creation of this great club and elevated the game to new heights during his many decades with Rugby WA. I cannot wait to see you all in the traditional state colours of black and gold, as we blackout HBF Park to celebrate a storied past, witness the present, and look forward to a bright future as a powerhouse of world rugby.
We are the Leading Force!
The Force began our Super Rugby journey against the Brumbies on the 10th of February 2006 at Subiaco Oval. However, tonight’s match-up presents a perfect opportunity to reflect and revel in how far we have come as a club.
I wou ld l i ke to acknowle dg e th e pi on e e rs o f W est e rn Aust ral ian rugby that hav e cont ri but e d to th e gam e ov e r th e y ears, inclu din g th e on e an d on ly G eo f f Stooke OA M Cit WA .
Anthony J Lewis CEO, Western Force
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MATCH PREVIEW
The Rugby Wrap podcast, hosted by Mitch Hardy, Heath Tessmann and Mick Colliss The Force are back in town and face competition front runners, the ACT Brumbies. They were unlucky not to get the win when these two teams met in Round 1. However, the Brumbies have been far from their best and find themselves on the road for the first time this season. The Force will have a battle on their hands up front and will rely on old bulls like Jeremy Thrush and all his guile and experience to match a pack laden with Wallabies.
Great to see Bayley Kuenzle stepping up for the pressure kick last week to seal the win against Fijian Drua. No doubt this will add a spring to his step when he takes on his old club.
Out wide is also going to be a challenge, with the likes of Manasa Mataele and Toni Pulu going up against Tom Banks, Tom Wright and Jesse Mogg. The battle between the two 9s and 10s is sure to be a spectacle and could determine which team comes out on top.
Get ready for some serious hits up front, an arm wrestle at scrum time and a nail-biting finish.
In the backrow, it will be a real physical contest with inform Brynard Stander coming up against Rob Valetini and Pete Samu.
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Score Predictor: Force 18 v Brumbies 16
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FORCE Harrison Lloyd
1
Feleti Kaitu' u (C)
2
Santiago Medrano
3
Jeremy Thrush
4
Izack Rodda
5
Fergus Lee-Warner
6
Kane Koteka
7
Brynard Stander
8
Ian Prior
9
Jake McIntyre 10 Manasa Mataele 11 Bayley Kuenzle 12 Kyle Godwin 13 Toni Pulu 14 Jake Strachan 15 Andrew Ready Bo Abra Greg Holmes Tim Anstee
6
Ollie Callan Issak Fines-Leleiwasa Reesjan Pasitoa Richard Kahui
BRUMBIES 1
Scott Sio
2
Lachlan Lonergan
3
Tom Ross
4
Darcy Swain
5
Nick Frost
6
Rob Valetini
7
Jahrome Brown
8
Pete Samu
9
Ryan Lonergan (C)
10 Rod Iona 11 Andy Muirhead 12 Irae Simone 13 Len Ikitau 14 Tom Wright 15 Tom Banks Billy Pollard Fred Kaihea Tom Ross Tom Hooper
Rory Scott Lachie Albert Hudson Creighton Jesse Mogg
Follow the gAme Live on social media for further Updates and highlight as they happen! 7
HEAD
Captions
HEAD
FERGUS 2 ROB LEE-WARNER VALETINI
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31
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C A R R I E S OFFLOADS
C A R R I E S OFFLOADS
Flanker
Flanker
POSITION
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TACKLES 8
POSITION
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TACKLES
Caption
Caption
Caption
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P L AY E R PROFILE
Bayley Kuenzle
WHICH JUNIOR RUGBY CLUB DID YOU PLAY FOR?
Burraneer Rugby Club (New South Wales).
DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST RUGBY MEMORY?
Playing for the Burraneer Dolphins and having an undefeated season in the U7s in my first year of rugby.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RUGBY MEMORY?
When we won the Premiership at Newington College on I have a dog called Rocky. He is a Cavoodle the buzzer in 2015. (Cavalier King WHO IS THE WORST Charles x Poodle).
ROOMMATE AND WHY?
Bo Abra. He is just a grub and leaves his stuff everywhere. 10
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THE LEGENDS Geoff Stooke
As we celebrate the history of rugby union in Western Australia, who better to walk down memory lane with than Geoff Stooke OAM CitWA. Stooke is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in WA rugby, having stood as chairman of Rugby WA from 1988 to 2011. Stooke is a crucial part of the Western Force story. His successful efforts chairing the bid for the club to become Australia’s newest Super Rugby club proved a watershed moment for rugby in our proud state. “We submitted a bid in 2004 after pushing for many years to get ourselves in the best possible situation to launch,” Stooke explained. “We presented in Sydney in direct competition to Victoria in 2004. Later that year, we were announced as the winner of the bid — 2005 was a massive year of building up the team and structure. We played our first ever game against the Brumbies on the 10th of February 2006 at Subiaco Oval.
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to 2019 (First Grade 1975-1990), and remarkably played throughout the entirety of his time as chairman of Rugby WA. Stooke was also part of the WA state team, notching up a number of games as captain. “For a period of time, we were fortunate to have state representative teams play against national teams from around the world,” Stooke said. “I was lucky enough to play against Fiji (1976), Wales (1978), Ireland (1979), the Wallabies (1981) and the USA (1983). This really helped grow the profile of the game in WA.” Stooke has seen it all and is extremely optimistic about the state of the game. “We’re very fortunate to have had the support of Andrew and Nicola Forrest,” Stooke noted.
“It was magnificent! A lot of people worked very hard to lift the profile of the game.”
“If you want the sport to grow, you need something for young players to aspire to, which is what the Western Force provides.
Stooke’s influence extended beyond the board room. The former lock played 710 games for the Associates from 1975
“It’s been great to see the Force back on the Super Rugby stage. I see a team with a very bright future ahead of them.”
KICK AND WIN!
SCAN ME WITH YOUR PHONE CAMERA
DRIVE A NEW TOYOTA FOR A YEAR INCLUDING FUEL.
(T&C’s APPLY)
WA residents 18+ only. Ends 11:59pm AWST 07/5/22. The draw’ed winner will have opportunity to kick to win a Toyota for a year plus fuel. Prize only awarded if winner successfully kicks a placed ball over the goal posts. See https://mailchi.mp/f38796c28ebb/kick-to-wina-toyota for Terms and Conditions.
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RUGBY FOR EVERYONE
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The Southern Lions All Abilities senior team is the only specialised team in Australia for people with disabilities. The team was developed over five years ago after Andrew Ferry, a man with a disability and a love for rugby union, proposed the concept to the club. The goal is to build an inclusive club environment for all to enjoy the opportunity to play rugby and the phenomenal sportsmanship that comes with our great game.
their players on and off the field. We are excited to watch Perth Bayswater grow as they begin forming their own All Abilities Rugby team for the 2022 season.
Since forming the All Abilities team, Southern Lions have witnessed a positive shift in the confidence of
Phil Oliver phil@oliverfoundation.com.au
Contact Southern Lions: Michael Penhaligon michaelpenhaligon@gmail.com Contact Perth Bayswater:
REGISTER ONLINE. SEARCH UWA OPEN DAY CRICOS: 00126G | PRV12169, AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY | BMR864528227
The driving force
the team behind the team
Hal Marsden
Head of Strength, Power and Rehabilitation Hal makes sure the players are physically ready for the intense physical demands of Super Rugby. He is also tasked with ensuring injured players return to their peak as quickly as possible alongside the physio team. Hal relishes the hard work and helps the players perform at their very best every week.
Anton Zackey Team Manager
Anton’s role involves leading and managing the rugby operations aspects of the Western Force Super Rugby Pacific team. He ensures that all off-field objectives are met, while being operationally efficient to allow for elite on-field performances. Anton loves the rollercoaster ride of being involved in professional sport and working with a team and organisation that is truly determined to be great!
Paul Tito
Forwards Coach Paul’s primary role is to improve team performance by working with the forward pack. From lineouts to scrums and kick-offs, Paul’s priorities lie with the ever-important set piece situations. He enjoyed an illustrious career with the Chiefs and Hurricanes in Super Rugby and the Cardiff Blues in Pro14. Fish, as he is affectionately known as, appreciates working alongside like-minded colleagues who have a genuine interest in the players’ growth on and off the field.
Game OFFICIALS
Referee AR 1 AR 2
Angus Gardner Graham Cooper Jordan Kaminski
TMO Kyle Burnett Referee 4 Sam Jones Referee 5 James Gatenby
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The Growth of Rugby West
The Western Force’s existence is brief in the history books of WA Rugby but represents the hopes, dreams and aspirations of a rugby community whose roots date back more than a century to 1893. Teams throughout WA and the nation formed competitions to play our beloved game and set the foundations for growth. With increased accessibility to air travel, from the 1960s to the 1990s, visiting national teams would tour the world and play against both national and provincial sides. The Western Australian State Representative team, donning black and gold, played against national teams from around the globe. The WA team played the likes of the Wallabies, All Blacks, Springboks, Wales, Ireland, the USA, and Fiji. As a professional entity, the Force has a short but proud history. Formed in 2004 and making its Super 14 debut in 2006 against the Brumbies at Subiaco Oval. At the end of the 2017 season, the Force was controversially excluded from the wider Super Rugby competition, featuring South Africa and New Zealand teams. In 2020, the Western Force heralded a deserved return to the highest
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level by re-joining the Super Rugby AU competition alongside the other four Australian clubs. In 2022, the Super Rugby Pasifika competition includes Australian and New Zealand sides, as well as the newly formed Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika. WA’s rugby community is built on passion, determination, and a never-say-die attitude that has inspired the clubs through the toughest of times. We are celebrating the proud history of rugby in Western Australia with a blackout at HBF Park. The team is playing in our away jersey adorned with black and gold to respect our origins. The fans are encouraged to acknowledge those who have helped grow the game over the years by donning black and gold as the Force take on our first-ever Super Rugby opponents, the Brumbies.
Proud to support the Western Force Follow us on Facebook
www.fmgl.com.au
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