Fantastic development for Rugby in WA.
Anton Zackey moves into the Team Manager's role - critical during these Covid-19 times.
With Tony Cutrupi, ex Waratahs, as Head of Athletic Performance, the WF is building a high quality support team.
Western Force 2021
- Thread starter ForceFan
- Start date
Fantastic development for Rugby in WA.
Anton Zackey moves into the Team Manager's role - critical during these Covid-19 times.
With Tony Cutrupi, ex Waratahs, as Head of Athletic Performance, the WF is building a high quality support team.
Tazzmania
Bob Loudon (25)
Included in the players joining the acedemy is
"One player is teenage winger Rupeni Mataele, brother of Fiji international flier Manasa Mataele who has signed for the Force from the Crusaders on a two-year deal.
The 17-year-old, currently in his last year at Wellington’s Scots College, will be a foreign development player signed to the academy for at least two years." - Nick Taylor quote from Thr West.
A building always needs strong foundations and its been really pleasing that since The Forrests involvement the tremendous amount of work that is being done to build a rugby structure rather than a "parachuted in super rugby team" for want of a better phrase.
"One player is teenage winger Rupeni Mataele, brother of Fiji international flier Manasa Mataele who has signed for the Force from the Crusaders on a two-year deal.
The 17-year-old, currently in his last year at Wellington’s Scots College, will be a foreign development player signed to the academy for at least two years." - Nick Taylor quote from Thr West.
A building always needs strong foundations and its been really pleasing that since The Forrests involvement the tremendous amount of work that is being done to build a rugby structure rather than a "parachuted in super rugby team" for want of a better phrase.
Here's the full West Australian article from the website - Nick Taylor - 15 Sep 2021:
(less Tazzmania's sections related to Rupeni Mataele)
A star-studded coaching line-up is set to carve pathways for Super Rugby hopefuls in the new-look Western Force academy.
Prop Greg Holmes, currently with the Wallabies squad, and former All Blacks back Richard Kahui and second-rower Jeremy Thrush have joined coach Dylan Parsons.
They will still be playing in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition but will assist Parsons who is also the new Force skills coach.
He is the first product of RugbyWA’s coaching pathway to join the professional set-up.
Parsons said the trio will also work with the WA under-19 squad until they start their Super pre-season full-time.
“It’s really exciting, the knowledge and specialist skills they bring, the experience they can draw on and share with the younger guys,” Parsons said.
“They will be great mentors for the young guys who look up to them and who will now get to share their experiences day-to-day.
“They want to have connections to the Force and with the jersey.
“It’s a huge opportunity and that’s a huge drawcard compared to what some of the other franchises offer.”
The academy will have around 30 players with about six coming from six the Eastern States.
The top tier will train full-time with the Super squad, the second tier will join Super players in selected sessions while the youngest group will be players of national interest to build depth into the long-term future.
Force head of rugby Matt Hodgson said more resources have been channelled into the academy.
“We realised a lot more was needed for the programme,” Hodgson said.
"Selection will be based on who is available and what depth is needed.
We work closely with Rugby Australia on identifying players.
The big thing for us is how we transfer those players into Super players and then how do we keep them at the Western Force.
We are not going to be racking and stacking.
Positions will be aimed at where we are likely to have a shortage in two or three years.”
Three academy players prop Siosifa Amone and back-rowers Alex Masibaka and Luke Callan were selected for the Junior Wallabies this year.
Another two homegrown products, centre Grason Makara and second row Jackson Pugh, signed for the next Super season joining academy graduate and back-rower Ollie Callan.
Flanker Kane Koteka and centre Kyle Godwin are among current Super players to have graduated from the academy.
(Re WTF?'s post: Ned Slack-Smith from Barker College.)
(less Tazzmania's sections related to Rupeni Mataele)
A star-studded coaching line-up is set to carve pathways for Super Rugby hopefuls in the new-look Western Force academy.
Prop Greg Holmes, currently with the Wallabies squad, and former All Blacks back Richard Kahui and second-rower Jeremy Thrush have joined coach Dylan Parsons.
They will still be playing in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition but will assist Parsons who is also the new Force skills coach.
He is the first product of RugbyWA’s coaching pathway to join the professional set-up.
Parsons said the trio will also work with the WA under-19 squad until they start their Super pre-season full-time.
“It’s really exciting, the knowledge and specialist skills they bring, the experience they can draw on and share with the younger guys,” Parsons said.
“They will be great mentors for the young guys who look up to them and who will now get to share their experiences day-to-day.
“They want to have connections to the Force and with the jersey.
“It’s a huge opportunity and that’s a huge drawcard compared to what some of the other franchises offer.”
The academy will have around 30 players with about six coming from six the Eastern States.
The top tier will train full-time with the Super squad, the second tier will join Super players in selected sessions while the youngest group will be players of national interest to build depth into the long-term future.
Force head of rugby Matt Hodgson said more resources have been channelled into the academy.
“We realised a lot more was needed for the programme,” Hodgson said.
"Selection will be based on who is available and what depth is needed.
We work closely with Rugby Australia on identifying players.
The big thing for us is how we transfer those players into Super players and then how do we keep them at the Western Force.
We are not going to be racking and stacking.
Positions will be aimed at where we are likely to have a shortage in two or three years.”
Three academy players prop Siosifa Amone and back-rowers Alex Masibaka and Luke Callan were selected for the Junior Wallabies this year.
Another two homegrown products, centre Grason Makara and second row Jackson Pugh, signed for the next Super season joining academy graduate and back-rower Ollie Callan.
Flanker Kane Koteka and centre Kyle Godwin are among current Super players to have graduated from the academy.
(Re WTF?'s post: Ned Slack-Smith from Barker College.)
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Good interview with Tony Lewis, CEO at WF after 9 months in the job.
Pleasing to hear that the WF has signed a 5-year participation agreement with RA.
Provides a chance to consolidate the current vision/structure.
We're in for an interesting 5-10 years in the region.
Pleasing to hear that the WF has signed a 5-year participation agreement with RA.
Provides a chance to consolidate the current vision/structure.
We're in for an interesting 5-10 years in the region.
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Tazzmania
Bob Loudon (25)
What a great and insightful interview into what is happening at the Western Force.
Kudo's to the CEO for making himself available and being so open about the what is transpiring at the Force and the pathway that they are embarking upon, it certainly bodes well for the future.
Tazzmania
Bob Loudon (25)
Exciting League prospect signed by Force
The Western Force add ‘x-factor’ to its 2022 Super Rugby Pacific squad with the signing of outside back Daniel Ala.
The 19-year-old New South Welshman joins the Force from NRL side Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and has represented Australia in the World Schools Sevens competition.
The speedster has also earned national call-ups for the Australian U18s and Schools side alongside Force lock Jackson Pugh and new recruit Reesjan Pasitoa.
Growing up playing both rugby codes, Ala is determined to make his mark in union with the Force
Read More
The Western Force add ‘x-factor’ to its 2022 Super Rugby Pacific squad with the signing of outside back Daniel Ala.
The 19-year-old New South Welshman joins the Force from NRL side Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and has represented Australia in the World Schools Sevens competition.
The speedster has also earned national call-ups for the Australian U18s and Schools side alongside Force lock Jackson Pugh and new recruit Reesjan Pasitoa.
Growing up playing both rugby codes, Ala is determined to make his mark in union with the Force
Read More
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
Says he wants to play for the Wallabies in 23 so you’d think he’d have his sights set on Super.
He’s fucking athletic. Ball skills extremely questionable. Would expect him to be ok in Super though.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
You'd have to think his only chance would be at 11 and there are a few leagies already competing for that spot.
hifflepiff
Charlie Fox (21)
Ferguson's amazing on his day, but 31 is pretty old for any league player looking to make the jump, particularly on the wing.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Ferguson talking wallabies must be hoping for RA top up with force negotiations as otherwise Japanese rugby can pay much more. He is no chance for RA top up as 31 year old league player ain’t what RA going to put in money for. This leaves force to offer something which would probably be lower then what nrl club would offer. Where latter is low as we know and hence why looking at rugby. Reckon Japan bound if any rugby opportunity eventuates.
As for wallaby ambitions tell him he’s dreaming
eastman
John Solomon (38)
Ferguson would have been an enticing prospect as a wing/ outside centre about 6 years ago but his game is primarily based on athleticism and he's seemingly gotten less skillful over time.
He could enjoy a good couple of years in Japan though based on his size and physicality.
Up the Guts
Steve Williams (59)
He'd make money in Japan but I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Force jersey running over the likes of Will Jordan.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
I would like him to sign for the Force but suspect he will get Japanese contract offering way more dollars then force will and should offer.
Encouraging support of grass roots rugby by Western Force CEO, Tony Lewis, and Director Rugby, Matt Hodgson, as well as a Rugby WA team led by RugbyWA Participation Manager, Damian Wainohu, promoting rugby in WA's Mid-West region over the past few days including the running of the Yamaji Rugby Cup at Mullewa.
Local rugby supporter and correspondent, Tom Gorman, is reporting a Reds v Western Force pre-season match to be held in Geraldton in February 2022.
Reckon that will be worth the 4 hrs drive.............
Talked about date is 5 Feb.....
Local rugby supporter and correspondent, Tom Gorman, is reporting a Reds v Western Force pre-season match to be held in Geraldton in February 2022.
Reckon that will be worth the 4 hrs drive.............
Talked about date is 5 Feb.....
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wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
Its a bit longer than that for the Reds. 50 hours according to Google Map.
I'll set my calendar now!
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
It's a big iron ore port and more recently there has been interest in hydrogen production. I think Twiggy's focus is further North and in QLD, but there have been other companies looking at Geraldton for hydrogen, and he's a pretty major player in that space now so it wouldn't be surprising if he is looking there too.