Western Force 2024

[whitefalcon]

Who is leaving the Force? they seem to have signed a lot of players

 

[RugbyReg]

Who is leaving the Force? they seem to have signed a lot of players

CONFIRMED GONE:
Folau Fainga'a - Clermont, France
Gareth Simpson - Saracens
Jack Winchester -Back studying in QLD
Ryan McCauley - Damiers (France)

 

[Wilson]

Also Rahboni to Brive:

Recrutement 2023 / 2024 - Revue d'effectif

www.cabrive-rugby.com

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Makes the Harris signing make sense.

Does Wells or Harris play 8 or it doesn't matter between 6/8? Other option?

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Makes the Harris signing make sense.

Does Wells or Harris play 8 or it doesn't matter between 6/8? Other option?

Id prefer Anstee at 6 with Harris at 8

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Agree. Forgot about him.

Pretty raw bone Back Row with Tizzano.

 

[ForceFan]

Does Wells or Harris play 8 or it doesn't matter between 6/8? Other option?

The WF have been using Utility Forwards as Locks.
Kalipu, Williams, Harris & Pugh are all about 194/196 cm
Anstee and Wells are 190/191
A fit Rodda (202 cm) and a developing Sankey (200 cm) are the current 'talls' (with Mcauley moving on).
Another 'tall' would compliment this group very well and offer good lineout coverage/options.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Id prefer Anstee at 6 with Harris at 8

Agree. Hopefully Wells is holding tackle bags next year.

Not sure if Naisarani is hanging around. Jeremy Williams would make a good 6

 

[stillmissit]

I suspect we are in for a major change at the top of Super Rugby AU. My prognostication is that the Force and the Rebels will be leading our Super Rugby efforts in 2025.
No tin hat necessary..................

 

[upthereds#!]

Hopefully its Harris6. and Naisarani 8. Wells or Anstee can be #20

 

[Dctarget]

Wilton Rebolo is here 'long term' - https://westernforce.rugby/news/force-sign-first-brazilian-in-super-rugby-20221128
Kuenzle - https://westernforce.rugby/news/kuenzel-recommits-to-the-west-2023516

 

[ForceFan]

Western Force has announced that Reagan Leslie is playing with Wests Scarb this weekend.

Welcome Reagan Leslie, 23yo Lock (200 cm) fromToowoomba, Queensland who was with the Reds Academy ('18/'19), played U19 NRC for Queensland Country ('19), a season with Utah Warriors in MLR ('22) and in Hosp Cup for Souths ('23).
A new member of the WF (unsure if WTG or squad?). Have a great time in the West Reagan. Met Reagan at the last home game against the Chiefs.

 

[Wilson]

Lots of departures for the Force. From the 2023 thread/the Force's social media:

Ryan McCauley, Jake Strachan, Grayson Makara, Reece Tapine, Rupeni Mataele, Gareth Simpson, Bryce Hegarty, Manasa Mataele, Folau Fainga'a, Zach Kibirge and Will Sankey all gone

Close to the entirety of the outside back division gone in one fell swoop.

 

[Dctarget]

Henry Speight and Joe Tomane for one more time round?

 

[Wilson]

Henry Speight and Joe Tomane for one more time round?

I haven't seen too much of them recently but have heard Tomane was going well. Only problem is Cron spoke a lot about not wanting to sign players too late in their career for 1-2 seasons, signing those two would look like a failure in that.

 

[Equalizer]

There's a big clean out that's for sure. You'd hope there's a lot of new signings in the wings. While some are squad players we need better than like for like to move up the ladder. Mataele and Kibirige are big attacking loses. Need some real speed in the team.

 

[rugbyAU]

This is the problem with the force (I.e. player retention) always seem to have 10+ players leave at the end of the season

 

[Equalizer]

This is the problem with the force (I.e. player retention) always seem to have 10+ players leave at the end of the season

Some would always have been leaving for more money overseas. Others not quite good enough to retain a place on the list and others for more playing time at other Super Rugby teams. It's why I've always said the Force needs additional salary cap.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Losing our two starting wings is a bit of a blow. Both of them had good seasons this year.

 

[Adam84]

Lots of departures for the Force. From the 2023 thread/the Force's social media:

Ryan McCauley, Jake Strachan, Grayson Makara, Reece Tapine, Rupeni Mataele, Gareth Simpson, Bryce Hegarty, Manasa Mataele, Folau Fainga'a, Zach Kibirge and Will Sankey all gone

View attachment 16817

Close to the entirety of the outside back division gone in one fell swoop.

Jeez…its hard to build combinations and stability in the roster with turnover like this