Western Force 2025

[teamsport]

Sounds like RA are clamping down on the bang average kiwis Cron keeps signing.

They need to produce some players locally 95% of Wallaby starters/regulars who grew up in Sydney would prefer to live closer to family and they wonder why players go back east coast.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Midfield depth is really going to be tested for next season. Perhaps picked up Harry Wilson?

 

[chiraag]

Western Force confirm departures of Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Atu Moli, Reesjan Pasitoa, Matt Proctor and Sio Tomkinson:

Force farewells six players after conclusion of 2025 season

westernforce.rugby

Seems particularly ridiculous to have played Proctor ahead of Kuenzle against the Lions now. Lots of work to do on the centre pairing with Tomkinson departing too.

I really don't understand not retaining Pasitoa, especially when losing Proctor and Tomkinson. He's one of the few local WA players, looked dangerous this year when given a run at 13, and has plenty of upside if he can stay injury free. Also very versatile being able to play in most backline positions. Would much rather persisting with him than Harford.

Coxon has also been very good for us. I hope they are being moved on because we've got better Australian players to replace them.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

I agree some concerns around the strategy. They pretty much just played Proctor to give him a farewell game and finally getting on the pitch. I also believe Cron didn't play Donaldson at 10 like he should have because he didn't want to drop Harford to the bench and hurt his feelings.

I am ok with cutting Pasitoa, you can only keep players on potential for so long, we need proven performers who will deliver week in week out.

 

[Tazzmania]

I agree some concerns around the strategy. They pretty much just played Proctor to give him a farewell game and finally getting on the pitch. I also believe Cron didn't play Donaldson at 10 like he should have because he didn't want to drop Harford to the bench and hurt his feelings.

Donaldson only made it to the captains run on the Friday morning, from a cohesion point of view it was felt that the better option was to slot him into full back, to cause the least amount of disruption.

Unfortunatley we are not privvy to the huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes and at at training on a daily basis. I assume Proctor was the player that best fit the position we needed at the time of the match. Bayley was heavily strapped around the knee and was not running overly smoothly towards the end so I suspect he may have been carrying a niggle or two, and sadly Reejan did not really settle in that well at outside centre in his few appearances and Tomkinson was carrying an injury late in the season and it may have been a cause of him missing out.

 

[Hogan]

I agree some concerns around the strategy. They pretty much just played Proctor to give him a farewell game and finally getting on the pitch. I also believe Cron didn't play Donaldson at 10 like he should have because he didn't want to drop Harford to the bench and hurt his feelings.

I am ok with cutting Pasitoa, you can only keep players on potential for so long, we need proven performers who will deliver week in week out.

After observing Harford’s last few games, I really don’t understand the Force signing him ahead of Pasitoa. He’s bang average with Pasitoa providing much more upside than the NZ journeyman. Fair to say that Burey also offers more than Hartford at 10.

 

[Yoda]

After observing Harford’s last few games, I really don’t understand the Force signing him ahead of Pasitoa. He’s bang average with Pasitoa providing much more upside than the NZ journeyman. Fair to say that Burey also offers more than Hartford at 10.

A ‘hunnerd’ percent! Cron has lost his marbles.

 

[Adam84]

After observing Harford’s last few games, I really don’t understand the Force signing him ahead of Pasitoa. He’s bang average with Pasitoa providing much more upside than the NZ journeyman. Fair to say that Burey also offers more than Hartford at 10.

watching him against the Lions i assumed he was a 20yr old on debut and felt bad for him, turns out he is a 26 year old kiwi…. What the fuck… the guy was downright average and Donaldson ended up covering both fullback and five-eight, but prioritising him over Pasitoa is an odd one for sure!

 

[Tazzmania]

Donno is our first choice 10.

Burey is signed for next year.

Harford is not yet contracted, likley to get a run in Super Aus to see what he offers.

Miln did not quite workout and Pasitoa appears to have hit a bit of a stumble since his two serious injuries.

Notes:
a) Harford has a decent boot on him and that is handy.
b) Leon McDonald recommended him based on what he saw of him in New Zealand.
c) He has had an injury curtailed career to date and lets see what he produces in Super A.

 

[rugbyAU]

Ridiculous that Burey and Keunzle didn’t start

Tizzano should have been released too

 

[rugbyAU]

Western Force confirm departures of Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Atu Moli, Reesjan Pasitoa, Matt Proctor and Sio Tomkinson:

Force farewells six players after conclusion of 2025 season

westernforce.rugby

Seems particularly ridiculous to have played Proctor ahead of Kuenzle against the Lions now. Lots of work to do on the centre pairing with Tomkinson departing too.

Proctors basically had a paid holiday the last 2 years

 

[Coleman Rees]

3 teams. We can’t have 4, not enough good players.

 

[cyclopath]

3 teams. We can’t have 4, not enough good players.

This seems like trolling. Not the thread for it.

 

[Tazzmania]

Proctors basically had a paid holiday the last 2 years

Proctor was only here for one year, not sure if you would call both the pain he played through on Saturday night after that rib breaking tackle he got hit with and working through and rehabilitating a shoulder injury during the course of the year a holiday!

 

[Boof1050]

Sounds like RA are clamping down on the bang average kiwis Cron keeps signing.

They need to produce some players locally 95% of Wallaby starters/regulars who grew up in Sydney would prefer to live closer to family and they wonder why players go back east coast.

My take is this if RA make the hard decision to cut the Rebels, another development place for Australian players, then our other franchises should be concentrating on Wallabies / future Wallabies. I Don't agree in bringing in journeyman kiwis to fill gaps. Not enough opportunities for players to show their wares as it is.
Another thing to consider is the NRL coming to Perth. If the management of the Force don't sort their shit out, i predict the Force will be Gonski in 3 years.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Donaldson only made it to the captains run on the Friday morning, from a cohesion point of view it was felt that the better option was to slot him into full back, to cause the least amount of disruption.

Unfortunatley we are not privvy to the huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes and at at training on a daily basis. I assume Proctor was the player that best fit the position we needed at the time of the match. Bayley was heavily strapped around the knee and was not running overly smoothly towards the end so I suspect he may have been carrying a niggle or two, and sadly Reejan did not really settle in that well at outside centre in his few appearances and Tomkinson was carrying an injury late in the season and it may have been a cause of him missing out.

This doesn't fly in my eyes. If this was round 10 of Super Rugby and he was under and injury cloud they'd prep with someone else but if fit for captains run he'd get the start and they wouldn't then move the back 3 around to fit him in.

Seemed like a job trial for Harford.

Absolutely agree with this. No progress since Sampson left. Stronger squad, results no better.

Tahs also signed O'Donnell back from the Force. Young aussie centre...

 

[Tazzmania]

My take is this if RA make the hard decision to cut the Rebels, another development place for Australian players, then our other franchises should be concentrating on Wallabies / future Wallabies. I Don't agree in bringing in journeyman kiwis to fill gaps. Not enough opportunities for players to show their wares as it is.
Another thing to consider is the NRL coming to Perth. If the management of the Force don't sort their shit out, i predict the Force will be Gonski in 3 years.

Perth Bears are in a very similar "boat" to the Western Force in regard to players.

There is not enough league, union players or a development pathway to support their required squad numbers now and / or in the short term. They too will have to attact players from over East or NZ, with the same issues to be able to retain them for a sufficient period to create sufficient cohesion.

 

[Tazzmania]

Seemed like a job trial for Harford.

Tahs also signed O'Donnell back from the Force. Young aussie centre...

1) We will agree to disagree. In my humble opinion Super Rugby A is going to be his trial.

2) O Donnell was never really committed to the Force, only signed a one year deal to start and in my humble opinion he only used us a stepping stone. I am led to believe that his signing by the Tahs blindsided a number of the Force "staff", as he had already signed before they could even start negociating a new contract.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Perth Bears are in a very similar "boat" to the Western Force in regard to players.

There is not enough league, union players or a development pathway to support their required squad numbers now and / or in the short term. They too will have to attact players from over East or NZ, with the same issues to be able to retain them for a sufficient period to create sufficient cohesion.

They know that and will do it. Storm have been reliant on it and the Warriors for a big part of their existence. One thing the NRL will do is plow money into WA to get into Schools and put development people on the ground.

 

[Hogan]

My take is this if RA make the hard decision to cut the Rebels, another development place for Australian players, then our other franchises should be concentrating on Wallabies / future Wallabies. I Don't agree in bringing in journeyman kiwis to fill gaps. Not enough opportunities for players to show their wares as it is.
Another thing to consider is the NRL coming to Perth. If the management of the Force don't sort their shit out, i predict the Force will be Gonski in 3 years.

The Force would have been more competitive this year if RA agreed to release more of the Rebels players to head west rather than sit on the pine at the other 3 franchises. Surely that would have been in the best interests of not only the players but Australian rugby in general. Players like Kailea and Lancaster come to mind.