GaffaCHinO
Peter Sullivan (51)
Nah I think this is just a cotton jersey for fans. I get the feeling they will wear black and gold on Friday.
Western Force 2022
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Marce
John Hipwell (52)
Or could be the same striped design in polyester?
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Good move.
Cron turns down Hansen to become new coach of Western Force
Georgina Robinson - March 28, 2022
Premiership-winning Shute Shield coach and former Waratahs assistant Simon Cron will coach the Western Force next season after turning down the considerable charms of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.Cron will return to Australia to take over from Force coach Tim Sampson on a two-year deal in August after three seasons under Hansen’s mentorship at Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
Andrew Forrest: “A huge thanks to Tim Sampson for his great and tireless role in bringing the Force back into Super Rugby. He has been a true champion of the club."
Read more. and more.
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ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
I would think that it was announced early as in the past Japanese clubs have announced such changes as soon as they happen as a sign of respect to all concerned. Also appears that Georgina may have picked that up.
Tim Sampson was the right man to lead the Western Force team through the challenges after the removal of the Super Rugby Franchise in 2017.
What a great ride it's been through World Series Rugby, Asia and Pacific Showcase Series, NRC Champions, the start of Global Rapid Rugby and the return to Super Rugby (Au, TT and Pacifica).
Great effort Tim - thanks for the wonderful memories.
Best wishes for the next rugby challenge and for the entire Sampson family. It's been a real treat to have you all in WA.
Tim Sampson was the right man to lead the Western Force team through the challenges after the removal of the Super Rugby Franchise in 2017.
What a great ride it's been through World Series Rugby, Asia and Pacific Showcase Series, NRC Champions, the start of Global Rapid Rugby and the return to Super Rugby (Au, TT and Pacifica).
Great effort Tim - thanks for the wonderful memories.
Best wishes for the next rugby challenge and for the entire Sampson family. It's been a real treat to have you all in WA.
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Wonder what next for Tim Sampson as RA been keen to keep its coaches and develop / invest in them by offering pathways and other opportunities in oz rugby
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Yep good point as force ambitions versus strength of squad means need to invest in a few areas. Wonder if Simon got any oz players in Japan earmarked to join the force. Interesting times and sounds like the broader and bigger recruitment strategy plans underway.
With a guy like Forrest I imagine he would not be satisfied with anything less then to make the Force the premier super rugby side.
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Thalium
Bill Watson (15)
You would imagine he is going through the rolladex looking for a replacements for Byron Ralston and Greg Holmes then maybe some additional young blood to learn from Kahui and Thrush
Eyes and Ears
Bob Davidson (42)
might be a job at the Rebels
Tazzmania
Bob Loudon (25)
Bittersweet moment in the Force's history.
Tim has been instrumental in taking us from the ashes to GRR and onto a potential finals team again this year in super rugby.
He has been the right fit for us and fit for purpose coach, to get us to were we are and we have to be forever greatful to him and acknowledge his achievements.
He can hold his head up high and leave knowing that not many coaches would have achieved what he did, in a professional sporting market, it is not often a coach can leave as a "winner" in the players and fans eyes.
While he achieved this he was always humble, friendly, respectful and most importantly took time to enagage and acknowledge the fans.
He will leave the Force as a friend and Force and Perth Spirit legend and will be etched in our rugby history.
Thank you Tim.
For the team to go up to the next level, it does need something else, in Simon Cron I think the Force have recruited well (time and results will tell), I look forward to the journey that began with still a fair few amount of us left at that rally back in 2004 and look forward to continuing its positive upward trajectory that we have had since Nicola and Andrew rescued us from the ashes.
Tim has been instrumental in taking us from the ashes to GRR and onto a potential finals team again this year in super rugby.
He has been the right fit for us and fit for purpose coach, to get us to were we are and we have to be forever greatful to him and acknowledge his achievements.
He can hold his head up high and leave knowing that not many coaches would have achieved what he did, in a professional sporting market, it is not often a coach can leave as a "winner" in the players and fans eyes.
While he achieved this he was always humble, friendly, respectful and most importantly took time to enagage and acknowledge the fans.
He will leave the Force as a friend and Force and Perth Spirit legend and will be etched in our rugby history.
Thank you Tim.
For the team to go up to the next level, it does need something else, in Simon Cron I think the Force have recruited well (time and results will tell), I look forward to the journey that began with still a fair few amount of us left at that rally back in 2004 and look forward to continuing its positive upward trajectory that we have had since Nicola and Andrew rescued us from the ashes.
SteveWA
Charlie Fox (21)
Re timing, it appears @geerob got a leak (perhaps from Japan or NZ) and was going to publish anyway. As for acrimony, if it were then Tim would have been sacked. He's well respected over here, but the results haven't been there and it is difficult to sustain a professional team with honourable losses and so a change of direction is understandable.
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SteveWA
Charlie Fox (21)
I think this needs repeating - surely an announcement at this time is part of a recruitment strategy for next year?
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
It's a fantastic signing, but I feel for Tim Sampson. It would be great for RA to keep him in OZ somehow.
Wilson
Phil Kearns (64)
There's definitely a bit of contention going around that it is, without Sampson having something else announced it's hard to see how there wouldn't be at least a little bit of hurt feelings. That said it's a hard business and unless a coach is moving onto higher honours there almost always is, at least at the time of change over. Can't be too bad though, if it was then Sampson would likely be gone immediately either by his own or the Force's call.
Tazzmania
Bob Loudon (25)
Tim has been acknowledged:
Quote from Dr Forrest:
"A huge thanks to Tim Sampson for his great and tireless role in bringing the Force back into Super Rugby. He has been a true champion of the club. Nicola and I wish him all the best in the next chapter of his rugby coaching career."
and from Tim:
Sampson said that since joining the Western Force, he has seen significant growth throughout the organisation and is comfortable knowing the club is trending in the right direction and that it will be handed over in great shape.
“The Western Force’s success and resurgence back into Super Rugby is testimony to the leadership and support from Andrew and Nicola Forrest, along with fellow staff and players who have contributed in many ways since my arrival at the commencement of the 2018 season,” Sampson said.
“My focus hasn’t changed. We are determined to achieve success and perform well for the remainder of the season.”
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Sacking people in any profession isn't a good look for either party, just because he hasn't been frog marched out doesn't necessarily mean Tim is leaving with a smile on his face.
With all the positivity Force fans feel about Sampson, it is surprising they aren't keeping him in the system to run their development pathways or something. It sounds like he has the buy in of the community and gets what the Force are trying to do, just not able to execute at Super Rugby level.
The quote from Forrest posted above makes it sound like he's out the door and into the next thing.
Thalium
Bill Watson (15)
It does feel like Tim has something Lined up and I wouldn't be surprised if it is with Rugby AU and has something to do with an Australia A style side or similar. I would imagine Rugby AU want to keep him and his team culture in the system. but probably going to Japan or Europe
ForceFan
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Excellent chat with Tony Lewis, WF CEO.