Would like to have made this it's own thread but I can't post threads;
Western Force – Player Review 2021
It’s been an interesting and ultimately rewarding season for the Western Force. As someone pointed out on Stan’s coverage the Force’s Super Rugby Atearoa experience mirrors their Super Rugby experience from 2020. If that does turn out to be true then we’re definitely on the right track.
Our CEO talks a great game and if the new signings can stand up then we’re in for some fun next year. The pack looks to be in good nick and if anything will be stronger next year due to being a year older and the addition of Rodda and late season form of Ollie Callan.
The backs is where the real work needs to be down, particularly at half back. Sadly it feels like we’re starting pretty much from scratch as really only Kyle Godwin and Tony Pulu are returning of the likely first XV. Hopefully we can resign Kuridrani, Ralston returns in form, one of Strachan/McGregor takes up the full back spot and a couple of the new signings can step into the shoes of Cubelli and Miotti.
Enough about the future though, how did our squad go this year?
Loose Head Props
Tom Robertson
Has been a revelation this season. The fact that he hasn’t made the 38 man squad for the Wallabies hopefully speaks to the depth of front row stocks in Australian rugby right now as he’s formed part of a Western Force scrum that was a weapon in most games in Super Rugby AU and held it’s own in the Trans Tasman competition. He’s the template for the type of signing the Force need to be making until their homegrown production line starts to really fire.
Angus Wagner
Such was the form of Robertson that Wagner was reduced to a supporting role however at 23 he showed enough to be more than adequate in that role. Came off the bench in most games and was usually part of the fast finishing Force scum that had the ascendancy and offered lots around the field including crucial poaches. The Force have two looseheads that make this a position of strength for the foreseeable future.
Hooker
Feleti Kaitu’u
One of only two Force players to have made the Wallabies squad. His value is in his all round excellence. If we were to be picky he tends to miss one or two throws early on in games but usually corrects and has been part of a hugely improved Force lineout. Impressive around the ground, he’s a tackling and rucking machine. Likely to get a Wallabies cap at some stage this year.
Andrew Ready
After a promising 2020 he let himself down with a needless red card in Super Rugby AU and then struggled for a bit of form. Has turned that around a bit on the tour on New Zealand with some big performances to remind frustrated Force fans of his undoubted potential.
Jack Winchester
Got a couple of opportunities from the bench due to the hot headedness of Ready. Didn’t set the world on fire but at 20 years of age there is plenty more in the tank and great to see him get some Super Rugby experience. One for the future.
Tight Head Props
Santiago Medrano
On the whole has had a very good season and justified the investment. Signed on for 2022 and that means that the Force can concentrate on other areas of their squad that need improvement/replenishment. At times would struggle at the start of games but usually turned that around and by the time he’d completed his shift the Force scrum was in the ascendancy. This augurs well for the future.
Greg Holmes
The evergreen tighthead is quite possibly still the best scrummaging Australian tighthead going around. Not bad at 37. He was a weapon at the start of Super Rugby AU before suffering an injury which reduced his effectiveness for a few games. I wondered if perhaps he’d succumbed to the inevitable advances of the years however he reaffirmed his worthiness with some dominant displays against good Kiwi packs. Another year left perhaps?
Kieran Longbottom
A fan favourite and like Holmes another very good scrummager in the twilight of his playing career. Only made a brief cameo this season and what really impressed (and perhaps surprised) was his excellent handling and mobility. Another who is great to have around the squad and be called on in a crisis.
Locks
Jeremy Thrush
I’m not going to lie I have a man crush. His name is Jeremy. Each of the last two seasons he’s started able to play fifty minutes and by the end of the season he’s playing eighty and dominating all around him. He is the epitome of a pack leader. When he’s in the team the attacking lineout is smooth, the defensive lineout is a weapon and our maul is structured and effective. Take him out and we’re lost. Obviously Rodda isn’t coming to sit on the bench but I feel that if Thrush can keep up this form he’s got to keep starting. I’d go so far as to say that if his passport was Australian he’d be training with Dave Rennie and the boys right now.
Siteleki Timani
A fantastic mid season acquisition which has freed up Lee Warner to move to his more suited position in the back row. Timani is that towering lock that allows you to secure ball in the lineout, provides heft in the tight and is a general big enforcer. The tight five is generally an area of strength for the Force and Timani has been a big part of that.
Ryan Macauley
The towering lock got plenty of game time this season due to a few injuries and even when all fit. Is a decent fill in option however despite his undoubted presence he fails to stamp himself on games. Secures plenty of our own lineout ball but not a threat on defensive lineouts and doesn’t seem to use his frame effectively to intimidate or cause havoc in mauls or at the breakdown. Might struggle to get game time next season with the arrival of Rodda.
Flankers
Kane Koteka
Mr 1%. Unlike many other 7’s in the game Koteka isn’t the guy getting big poaches and having huge moments of influence in games. He’s the guy that does one hundred simple effective things in every game. His workrate is phenomenal and over the course of the season he must make the most tackles and blow out more rucks than any other player.
Fergus Lee Warner
Another player that makes the most of every scrap of natural talent he has. Has been excellent in the second row in the past but has settled in at number 6 for the Force in the latter half of the season. His height makes him a valuable extra jumper in the lineout and his bulk makes up for our other options in the backrow who haven’t quite got the size of some of their counterparts, particularly noticeable when we played the Kiwi teams. Very unlucky not to make the Wallabies squad.
Tim Anstee
Started the season like a freight train with a couple of superb early performances at number 6. Always looked to be a bit light but his footwork, aggression and ball skills make him a definite star of the future. Will need to put some kg on in the off season but if he can successfully come back at 100+ kg then he’s another great option in a very talented Force pack.
Tomas Lezana
A very disappointing season which was cut short by injury. Showed some potential in pre season but was too inconsistent in his appearances with one or two anonymous performances followed by a stormer right before he got injured. Sadly for him and the Force we won’t get a chance to see him build on that next season as he’s accepted a move north.
Number Eight
Brynard Stander
Was excellent in pre-season following on from a good 2020. Seemed to pick up some kind of foot/calf injury around 2-3 games in and from then seemed to struggle to hit the previous heights. Still has an enormous work rate but lacked some of his usual bullocking runs as the season went on. Perhaps that might have something to do with the way the team play.
Ollie Callan
Like hitting a birdie on the 18th hole, Callan is the player that makes you excited for 2022. He came into the side at number eight for the last couple of games and was a revelation. A local talent at twenty years of age, his form has justified the Force’s return on it’s own. If the Force can turn up one or two young Western Australians like this each year then eventually this will have a positive impact on the Wallabies depth chart. His late season form means that once again the Force recruitment is less urgent in the back row (possibly even the pack) and can focus on the backs.
Scrum Half
Tomas Cubelli
A fantastic season. One of the few international class players at the peak of their powers in the squad. He started a little slowly but once he got going he was all class. Seemed to play his best rugby up against the really top players and had some great days in the three wins in a row and against the Kiwi teams. Rumoured to be off to Biarittz in France next season, it’s a real shame for the Force as they have a decent pack and really need to have some top class IQ at 9 & 10 to take them up another level.
Ian Prior
The captain. Started the first and last games of the season but was usurped by Cubelli in between. Had some fantastic games off the bench and much like the team itself seemed to lift when the chips were down. Will face stiff competition next season from Fines and hopefully from young MacDonald.
Michael McDonald
Will probably be disappointed to make his way west and only see a few minutes of Super Rugby action. The type of player that would benefit hugely from a season of NRC. Hopefully next season he will get more opportunities to demonstrate his undoubted potential.
Number Ten
Domingo Miotti
Was nowhere to be seen in the first couple of games as first Lance and then McIntyre were given the starting berth at 10. When he was finally given his chance he took it with both hands and looked the most solid all round ten the Force have had in many years. Not outstanding in any particular area he is good in all. Provides control and decent game management which the Force badly need and nearly all of the Force’s best moments have come with him on the field. It was very disappointing to see him announce his departure mid-season and the Force are back to square one with having another pair of starting half backs.
Jake McIntyre
I want to really like McIntyre. He’s game, he wants to run the ball and when he’s at his best he’s an attacking threat. However when he’s off he tends to shovel the ball, rarely kicks to offer variety and when he does it’s usually either poorly timed or badly executed. Missed touch far too many times from penalties which were momentum killers and confidence seems to have suffered. With Miotti leaving he has a chance to come back fresh next year and make the number ten shirt his own however the arrival of Kuenzel and Pasitoa will hopefully have him having to play significantly better to start games next season.
Jono Lance
Started the first game of the season at ten and perhaps suffered as a result. We made lots of mistakes and as a result the starting half backs were on the back foot against the Brumbies. A decent back up option however you have to feel with the arrival of Kuenzel and Pasitoa his time might be at an end.
Centres
Kyle Godwin
Missed the start of the season and his arrival back into the team coincided with the upturn in our fortunes. Not sure if he was the reason but he certainly didn’t hurt. Defensively very solid he had a couple of great games including one where he moved out to 13 after Kuridrani’s suspension. Like many of the Force’s best players he’s not exceptional in one particular skill but seems to be very good all round.
Henry Taefu
A firm fan favourite Taefu can probably count himself unlucky that the Force have Godwin, Kuridrani and Kahui on their books. Didn’t let anyone down when he came in and his physicality in midfield certainly adds something. Maybe got caught positionally a few times but it’s difficult coming into the centres particularly when the backline changes so much.
Tevita Kuridrani
Suffers terribly from the ‘marquee signing’/’player he used to be’ syndrome. There’s no doubt he’s not the Kuridrani that was tearing it up for the Wallabies 5-6 years ago. Maybe he’s lost some gas, maybe it’s the way the Force play. The Force have looked at their best defensively when he’s in the team and he started to show some decent attacking form when we put out the same backline two games in a row.
Hopefully he resigns for next season as he’s an asset that would be difficult to replace.
Wings
Richard Kahui
Another veteran who we hoped might provide an injection from the bench and some experience for the young players to learn from. Instead he’s played nearly every game starting most. Obviously doesn’t have the top end gas he once had but still no slouch as evidenced many times this season. His decision making and influence on players around him is still top class. Got better and better as the season went on and hopefully has the hunger to go around again.
Jordan Olowafela
Such a shame that he was only a short time signing. But also so luck that we got him at all. Took a couple of games to get into it before lighting up HBF stadium with his game winning hattrick against the Reds. A smart winger who is competitive under the high ball, has a decent boot and the gas to go with it.
Tony Pulu
But for injury he’d have to be in that Wallabies squad. Yes there are some good wingers kicking around in Aussie rugby but he’s looked class every time he’s played. Smart choices and pace to burn. It would be interesting to see him play a run of ten games and see just how good he can be. Hopefully next season he can be the heir apparent to The Honey Badger.
Marcel Brache
Got a few games at the start of the year but as Olowafela joined and Pulu got fit he saw his chances limited. A great servant and quite obviously loves the Force you have to feel his time is coming to an end.
Byron Ralston
A player of great potential he failed to build on the promise of last season firstly with a slow start to the season (not necessarily his fault, the team started slowly) and then his horrific head injury. Will hope to restart next year and nail down a starting place and deliver on his undoubted potential.
Fullback
Rob Kearney
Started the season very well demonstrating all his class despite the teams slow start. Shipped an injury half way through Super Rugby AU and when he eventually came back seemed a good bit off the pace of Super Rugby Atearoa. Doesn’t look to be returning in 2022 however delivered one last class performance away to the Blues at the weekend which was capped by a try. Probably his last in professional rugby.
Jack McGregor
Usurped by Kearney he did well when he got his chances once Kearney got injured. Very nearly suffered total ignominy when he kicked the ball out early against the Rebels and handed them an opportunity to won the game but recovered well. Needs a big season next year as him and Strachan battle it out for the number 15 jersey.
Jake Strachan
Came into favour once Kearney got injured and McGregor had a chance and put in some fine performances. Still learning his craft but provides a good alternative to McGregor. Both still have a bit of work to do but have hopefully learnt a lot from Kearney where they can apply this next season.