Western Force 2020
- Thread starter ForceFan
- Start date
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Agree....Yogi and and FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) very useful in the Back Row.
Stowers is useful at No 8.
kiap
Steve Williams (59)
True. I would have FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) at 6.
I think 'Hoskins' is really Atkins in the row. Had been some name mix ups floating about.
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Thanks for the proof reading Kiap.
Of course it's FLW (Fergus Lee-Warner) & Atkins.
(Can't believe I added to that mis-statement!
)
you have 8 props listed but summed as only 7. And I count 41 all up? Large squad.
Any word on MArkus Vanzati? Had such promise that guy. Must gave fallen out at the Reds hard (ditched like Frisby and QC (Quade Cooper)). Never really got much of a shot at the Force.
Any word on MArkus Vanzati? Had such promise that guy. Must gave fallen out at the Reds hard (ditched like Frisby and QC (Quade Cooper)). Never really got much of a shot at the Force.
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Thanks Reg - your 8 and 41 is correct (just shows that 4 years of Engineering was wasted).
(Note: Now fixed to avoid any confusion).
Only a large squad due to the extra injury coverage for the SRAu involvement.
CV19 limitations meant reaching out to more due to quarantine etc.
Some of those additions may have only a ~3 month gig.
I think Markus was given the same chance as all of the other young props being developed by the WF.
He's certainly a well liked young man in the West and gave everything a good crack.
It appears to me that he was a bit one dimensional in his game (scrummaging) when the GRR style of game demands so much more from the forwards.
He would have benefited from the input from Michael Foley.
I don't know where Markus has gone but will be looking out for him.
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Western Force owner Andrew Forrest launches one last broadside at game’s bosses ahead
Nick Taylor - The West Australian - Tuesday, 7 July 2020
Western Force owner Andrew Forrest launched a huge broadside at the game’s governing body as he rallied his players ahead of their Australian Super Rugby debut against Waratahs on Saturday.
The mining magnate took on Rugby Australia in an often bitter battle when they controversially axed the Force and refused his $70 million offer to keep them alive.
The angry billionaire pumped millions of dollars into the Force and went alone with Global Rapid Rugby
Now, in the greatest of ironies, Forrest said he was vindicated with the Force back in Super Rugby, albeit the compacted Australian version.
His latest attack was aimed mainly at the former administration that saved Melbourne Rebels, describing their actions as puerile, pathetic and unfair and the Force had been vindicated by their battle to stay alive.
Forrest waged a bitter battle with RA but accepted their invitation to put his side in the new competition against their former Super Rugby foes.
“This state and the whole game of rugby was ground to dust by really unfair behaviour,” Forrest said.
“We didn't give up when we got this unfair body blow. We got up off the pavement and we went in again."
“That counts in the world of rugby. If you look at what the Western Force did and how they survived you respect them and you want to be part of them."
“What you’ve got out here is the vindication of our determination never ever to give up and here we are back again."
“We’ve had this puerile, pathetic and often unfair competition, particularly against Western Australia off the field."
“It was phenomenally short-sighted to rip the heart of Western Australia’s rugby and place it over in Victoria just because you thought you could make something out of Victoria."
“The old administration was doing everything for Victoria and not anything for the national game."
“Back then the stupid decisions got made unfairly and against our state and we were determined we were never ever going to give up.
“If you have competition between states in administration and not only on the field then you are pulling down the game. And that is what’s been happening. “
Forrest acknowledged the Force will be huge underdogs but declared them ready.
”We will be the underdogs but we will give that cage a bloody good rattle. They are out there to win” he said,”
“It’s going to be tough. Having been out of the competition for three years we are so considered to be the fifth sad Charlie but we’ll do alright.”
Forrest is confident that having the Force in Super Rugby - and any future competition - does not mean the end of Global Rapid Rugby.
“I am, and was, very confident that if we were determined to keep the high standard, particularly if we went international, there is no way the national game would one day (not) come back and say ‘hey we really have to have the Western Force back. You’re a major power in rugby’.
“That’s what Global Rapid Rugby did for us.”
Nick Taylor - The West Australian - Tuesday, 7 July 2020
Western Force owner Andrew Forrest launched a huge broadside at the game’s governing body as he rallied his players ahead of their Australian Super Rugby debut against Waratahs on Saturday.
The mining magnate took on Rugby Australia in an often bitter battle when they controversially axed the Force and refused his $70 million offer to keep them alive.
The angry billionaire pumped millions of dollars into the Force and went alone with Global Rapid Rugby
Now, in the greatest of ironies, Forrest said he was vindicated with the Force back in Super Rugby, albeit the compacted Australian version.
His latest attack was aimed mainly at the former administration that saved Melbourne Rebels, describing their actions as puerile, pathetic and unfair and the Force had been vindicated by their battle to stay alive.
Forrest waged a bitter battle with RA but accepted their invitation to put his side in the new competition against their former Super Rugby foes.
“This state and the whole game of rugby was ground to dust by really unfair behaviour,” Forrest said.
“We didn't give up when we got this unfair body blow. We got up off the pavement and we went in again."
“That counts in the world of rugby. If you look at what the Western Force did and how they survived you respect them and you want to be part of them."
“What you’ve got out here is the vindication of our determination never ever to give up and here we are back again."
“We’ve had this puerile, pathetic and often unfair competition, particularly against Western Australia off the field."
“It was phenomenally short-sighted to rip the heart of Western Australia’s rugby and place it over in Victoria just because you thought you could make something out of Victoria."
“The old administration was doing everything for Victoria and not anything for the national game."
“Back then the stupid decisions got made unfairly and against our state and we were determined we were never ever going to give up.
“If you have competition between states in administration and not only on the field then you are pulling down the game. And that is what’s been happening. “
Forrest acknowledged the Force will be huge underdogs but declared them ready.
”We will be the underdogs but we will give that cage a bloody good rattle. They are out there to win” he said,”
“It’s going to be tough. Having been out of the competition for three years we are so considered to be the fifth sad Charlie but we’ll do alright.”
Forrest is confident that having the Force in Super Rugby - and any future competition - does not mean the end of Global Rapid Rugby.
“I am, and was, very confident that if we were determined to keep the high standard, particularly if we went international, there is no way the national game would one day (not) come back and say ‘hey we really have to have the Western Force back. You’re a major power in rugby’.
“That’s what Global Rapid Rugby did for us.”
dru
David Wilson (68)
They have not forgotten. Why should they? Twiggy’s focus is GRR, they don’t expect a permanent return to Super.
It wasn’t really hard for comprehension.
formerflanker
Ken Catchpole (46)
Same strategy as the Brisbane Broncos used in their early days.
Fire up the players and supporters with an "us vs them" mentality.
brokendown
Bill McLean (32)
yep,and,why not?
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Sydney bound and ready for Super Rugby AU campaign
July 8, 2020
With the Western Force playing squad, coaches and support staff set to fly out to New South Wales on Friday, Head Coach Tim Sampson expressed the group is “full of excitement” ahead of their first Super Rugby match-up since 2017.
The club’s reintroduction into the one-off domestic competition has been met with great enthusiasm by the players, as they’re set to reignite their rivalry with the NSW Waratahs, who they coincidentally played in their last Super Rugby clash on an emotionally charged night in Perth three years ago.
“The team can’t wait,” Sampson said.
“The excitement has been building for a long time to play against the Australian clubs again. It’s been brewing since the new form Super Rugby structure was first mooted and we’re here now in the midst of game week, prepared and determined for the challenge.”
Read more.......
“We have the utmost belief that we can perform in this competition, as there are individuals in our team that can certainly attract the attention of the right people for national selection. I’m just rapt the players get this opportunity and the loyal Sea of Blue get to witness them play at this level again.”
New recruit Nick Frisby will join the team on Friday when they arrive in Sydney, with Force legend Pek Cowan joining the team in the Hunter Valley upon completion of his mandatory quarantine post overseas travel.
The club would like to extend a massive thank you to St Philip’s Christian College, Principal Darren Cox, Business Manager Jacques Mouton for their hospitality and assistance, as well the Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union for all of their help throughout this process.
Travelling Squad(27 + 2)
AJ Alatimu
Andrew Ready
AngusWagner
Brad Lacey
Brynard Stander (vc)
Byron Ralston
Chris Heiberg
Feleti Kaitu’u
Fergus Lee-Warner
Greg Holmes
Henry Stowers
Henry Taefu
Ian Prior (c)
Jack McGregor
Jacob Abel
Jake Strachan
Jeremy Thrush
Johan Bardoul
Jono Lance
Kieran Longbottom
Kyle Godwin
Marcel Brache
Nick Jooste
Ollie Atkins
Ollie Callan
Tevin Ferris
Tom Sheminant
July 8, 2020
With the Western Force playing squad, coaches and support staff set to fly out to New South Wales on Friday, Head Coach Tim Sampson expressed the group is “full of excitement” ahead of their first Super Rugby match-up since 2017.
The club’s reintroduction into the one-off domestic competition has been met with great enthusiasm by the players, as they’re set to reignite their rivalry with the NSW Waratahs, who they coincidentally played in their last Super Rugby clash on an emotionally charged night in Perth three years ago.
“The team can’t wait,” Sampson said.
“The excitement has been building for a long time to play against the Australian clubs again. It’s been brewing since the new form Super Rugby structure was first mooted and we’re here now in the midst of game week, prepared and determined for the challenge.”
Read more.......
“We have the utmost belief that we can perform in this competition, as there are individuals in our team that can certainly attract the attention of the right people for national selection. I’m just rapt the players get this opportunity and the loyal Sea of Blue get to witness them play at this level again.”
New recruit Nick Frisby will join the team on Friday when they arrive in Sydney, with Force legend Pek Cowan joining the team in the Hunter Valley upon completion of his mandatory quarantine post overseas travel.
The club would like to extend a massive thank you to St Philip’s Christian College, Principal Darren Cox, Business Manager Jacques Mouton for their hospitality and assistance, as well the Newcastle Hunter Rugby Union for all of their help throughout this process.
Travelling Squad(27 + 2)
AJ Alatimu
Andrew Ready
AngusWagner
Brad Lacey
Brynard Stander (vc)
Byron Ralston
Chris Heiberg
Feleti Kaitu’u
Fergus Lee-Warner
Greg Holmes
Henry Stowers
Henry Taefu
Ian Prior (c)
Jack McGregor
Jacob Abel
Jake Strachan
Jeremy Thrush
Johan Bardoul
Jono Lance
Kieran Longbottom
Kyle Godwin
Marcel Brache
Nick Jooste
Ollie Atkins
Ollie Callan
Tevin Ferris
Tom Sheminant
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
‘Guys have been in dark places’: Force ready for ‘special’ return after three-year-old ‘heartbreak’
Podcast from Fox Rugby with Brynard Stander, Tom Horan and Andrew Swain.
Podcast from Fox Rugby with Brynard Stander, Tom Horan and Andrew Swain.
