Good to see Alex Davies in the Reds squad. A very good player I reckon.
What’s with that force team? Heaps of injuries? And they’re having an internal trial after the game? With who??
Since the end of Super Rugby Au 2022, the WF has been training with an extended squad which as included the best of local talent, current and possible 2023 Academy players, an extended playing group plus the announced 40 person squad.
Prior to the Christmas/New Year break the WF had, by my count about 15 players recovering from 2022 injuries, post-season repairs and general rehabilitation. The latter group has been significantly reduced but still includes long termers such as Reesjan Pasitoa (knee during Club game post Super Rugby 2022) and Henry Robertson (knee in trial game in Japan post Super Rugby 2022).
The pre-season squad had generally been maintained at 50 players (equally split between forwards and backs) + those under rehab/recovery regimes.
The internal 30 minute "trial" will be a full contact training session for this wider squad who missed out on the usual full contact session session on a Friday. I would think that Friday was a rest day before today's pre-season trial against the Reds. It's been hot in the West this past week and is likely to still be around 36 deg C when the WF v Reds game starts.
The 4th 30 minute internal trial I wouldn't expect to include many of the named starters who are likely to be changed out during the 3rd 30 minute session. But there's plenty of squad left to take over and step on once the Reds squad have played out the 3 x 30 minute sessions.
The afternoon has been promoted as a meet the players fan day so there's a chance for the Sea of Blue to see all fit players giving their best before a reduced squad head East to play the Fiji Drua.