Force 2023

[eastman]

I forgot about Tiatia, but I’d take Hegarty over him as starting fullback

Any team with Hegarty as a starting player isn’t going far.

 

[Adam84]

Any team with Hegarty as a starting player isn’t going far.

starting fullback:

Tiatia is hardly a superstar fullback commanding the fullback position anyway

 

[Thalium]

Any team with Hegarty as a starting player isn’t going far.

Because the Tigers were so shit last year.
Hegarty started 12 of 17 games he was named in and only 3 of the 17 games were a loss. He is playing very well overseas

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Rather off-topic but I see Twiggy has thrown his weight behind getting grain shipments out of Ukraine & into where it's desperately needed, mostly Africa. Well done that man.

How Twiggy Forrest drove first humanitarian grain shipment out of Ukraine

After visiting Kyiv, Forrest has put his vast resources and networks to good use in a bid to save Ukraine’s record harvest and help feed an increasingly starving world.

www.smh.com.au

 

[RugbyReg]

Interesting signing. Some good experience it seems..

The Western Force is delighted to announce the signing of Felix Kalapu on a long-term deal ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The 22-year-old, who can play as a second rower and back-rower, joins the Force from Major League Rugby side for Old Glory DC in the United States.

Kalapu is currently playing for Auckland in the National Provincial Championships alongside homegrown Force lock Jackson Pugh.

A product of Auckland Grammar School, Kalapu is looking forward to making his mark on the Super Rugy competition.

“I am excited, this is an awesome opportunity to play in Western Australia and get involved with the culture,”Kalapu said.

“This new chapter in my life is a long commitment that I feel extremely grateful about, especially to learn from some of the best coaches in the country.”

General Manager of Rugby Matt Hodgson is pleased to be adding further young talent to the squad.

“Felix is a player that has shown great potential throughout the early stages of his career,” Hodgson said.

“As a forward, he has versatility in his game and abrasiveness in the contest, which is always a great asset to have.

“His best rugby is ahead of him and we’re looking forward to seeing him develop his game to a new level in the years to come.”

About Felix Kalapu
Position: lock, back-rower
Height: 196cm
Weight: 115KG
Date of birth: 27/9/1999 (Age 29)

 

[Equalizer]

New signing for the Force. Cut his teeth in the NPC and playing for Old Glory DC in the US Rugby comp. Nice athletic lock and at 22 will learn a lot from Rodda.

 

[ForceFan]

About Felix Kalapu
Position: lock, back-rower
Height: 196cm
Weight: 115KG
Date of birth: 27/9/1999 (Age 29)

This age may be incorrect - he's been presented as a 22yo by Old Glory DC and WF.
Cron is obviously honouring his commitment to player depth across the board.

 

[Tazzmania]

It appears that he is playing for North Harbour now:

Started at 5 against Canterbury last night, have not yet seen the match but now there is an added interest, it does appear that he managed to bag a meat pie..

 

[Raytah]

So what do we think the best force 23 will be?

At the moment, looks like:
Robertson / Abra
Faiinga'a / Kaitu'u
Wagner / Amone
Kalapu / MacCauley
Rodda
Anstee / Slack-Smith
Koteka
Wells
Robertson / Fines
Stewart / Hegarty
Pulu
Kuenzle
Makara
Mataele
Tiatia / Strachan

 

[upthereds#!]

So what do we think the best force 23 will be?

At the moment, looks like:
Robertson / Abra
Faiinga'a / Kaitu'u
Wagner / Amone
Kalapu / MacCauley
Rodda
Anstee / Slack-Smith
Koteka
Wells
Robertson / Fines
Stewart / Hegarty
Pulu
Kuenzle
Makara
Mataele
Tiatia / Strachan

Did Lloyd leave? I'd say in teh absence of a decent THP they will put Robertson at 3 with Lloyd at 1.

Also Prior over Robertson.

Centres are concerning, particularly 13.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Also Prior over Robertson.

Yeah Prior and Fines will be the 9. I think Robertson was let go by the Tahs and picked up by the Force rather than poached by the Force to the disappointment of the Tahs.

Centres is a problem. Need some steady unit in the squad to plug gaps. An aussie in the MLR like Billy Meakes would be perfect. Think he's probably enjoying the LA life and Aussie 7s though

 

[upthereds#!]

Yeah Prior and Fines will the the 9. I think Robertson was let go by the Tahs and picked up by the Force rather than poached by the Force to the disappointment of the Tahs.

Centres is a problem. Need some steady unit in the squad to plug gaps. An aussie in the MLR like Billy Meakes would be perfect. Think he's probably enjoying the LA life and Aussie 7s though

So turns out Rona asked for a release but got denied.

So yes still hunting!

Also hoping to actually keep Medrano - who left for Worcester which is on struggle street financially.

 

[ForceFan]

Did Lloyd leave?

No - Harry's still in the squad.
Was playing for UWA in local club rugby.
He's currently recovering from a pectoral injury so has missed out on the local final.

 

[Kevin77]

So what do we think the best force 23 will be?

At the moment, looks like:
Robertson / Abra
Faiinga'a / Kaitu'u
Wagner / Amone
Kalapu / MacCauley
Rodda
Anstee / Slack-Smith
Koteka
Wells
Robertson / Fines
Stewart / Hegarty
Pulu
Kuenzle
Makara
Mataele
Tiatia / Strachan

IF (and it's a big IF) the starting XV stay fit for every game then potentially it's a better team than last year. But really the depth isn't there.
Rugby is about managing injuries and having options when that happens.

Unless there are another 6-10 signings or a similar number of young players ready to play Super Rugby, it feels very light on

 

[Tazzmania]

Rodda and Maguire discuss the importance about speaking up about ones mental health:

https://westernforce.rugby/videos/watch/4c308848-10f7-4d4c-a9c9-d949f9b4346b!Rodda

Also explains why he went to France

 

[ForceFan]

Western Force appoint Jimmy Duffy as Forwards Coach through to 2024

Duffy joins the Force from Ireland United Rugby Championship side, Connacht, where he was Assistant Coach for seven years, leading the club to a Guinness Pro12 title in 2016.

Head Coach - Simon Cron
Forwards Coach - Jimmy Duffy
Attack Coach - Mark Ozich
Defence Coach - Will Eggleston
Skills Coach - Dylan Parsons
Performance - Simon Thomas (added 6 Oct)

Appears to be a good mix of talent/background.

 

[Thalium]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1577584435163275265

 

[RugbyReg]

Who?

 

[Tazzmania]

Part of the Rugby WA Under 19 Squad just announced.

From Scots College

You tube video highlights

Assume that he will be part of the wider training squad

 

[RugbyReg]

Part of the Rugby WA Under 19 Squad just announced.

Do you have that list?