Western Force 2025

[noknowledgeatall]

Can we please stop calling Super Rugby Franchises - CLUBS?

All of these outfits grew from Provincial Representative operations.

Rep teams are selected and personnel are invited into the fold. ie super rugby operations

Club teams are open door for anyone to join and contribute.


Call them what they are - Franchises.

 

[Tomthumb]

You seem to have made up a definition of the word club that doesn't exist

They are by definition, clubs

 

[noknowledgeatall]

So can anyone turn up, pay a membership and get a game?

They are businesses that run to an accountants model.

 

[Tomthumb]

None of those things have anything to do with something being called a club

A club is simply a organization of people with a common interest

 

[LeCheese]

Club: An organisation constituted to play matches in a particular sport - e.g., "a football club"

Seems a pretty inane hill to die on. Anyway, how about the Force!

I noticed KB (Kurtley Beale) on the pitch post-game - is there a timeline on his rehab?

 

[PhilClinton]

Go the Force! A fully professional sporting franchise and definitely not a club.

 

[Wilson]

I noticed KB (Kurtley Beale) (Kurtley Beale) on the pitch post-game - is there a timeline on his rehab?

I think it's sometime in April, depending on how his recovery goes.

 

[Tazzmania]

KB (Kurtley Beale) appears to be very involved and with the Force.

He was in the dressing room at half time and part of the backline talk.

If you watch the Stan half time dressing room coverage you will see him and Donno in deep conversation just before taking the field for the second half.

Great to see him sharing his rugby IQ.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

NZHurld running a story headlined "Leon MacDonald to join Western Force..."

Behind the paywall so wondering if there's any corroboration from WF end?

 

[Wilson]

I don't have any info from the Force end, but from the Herald article it's apparently as Director of Rugby:

Five months after his exit from the All Blacks, the Herald understands MacDonald is moving on to a surprise destination. He close to agreeing terms to join the Western Force in a short-term director of rugby role, where he will work with head coach and fellow New Zealander Simon Cron.

The opportunity arose as MacDonald has established ties with Force general manager of rugby Chris Goodman, who worked previously with the Crusaders and Tasman academies.

Leon MacDonald to land first job since leaving All Blacks

The 47-year-old left the All Blacks just five tests into Scott Robertson's reign.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Interesting to see the speculation about who might follow him at the end of the article:

MacDonald’s presence in Perth with the Force will, however, spark widespread interest given his close ties to the All Blacks and the defending champion Blues players in particular, after leading the Auckland franchise for five years prior to his elevation to Robertson’s national coaching team.

An announcement confirming MacDonald’s appointment at the Force is expected in the coming days.

 

[Thalium]

Leon MacDonald set to land first job since All Blacks departure

Leon MacDonald is poised to land at an unexpected destination in his first rugby role since departing the All Blacks in August.

www.newstalkzb.co.nz

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Implying Rangi will go back to Loss Bleus to replace incoming Wobs coach Stern Vern, eh? Don't tell @zer0 or @Dismal Pillock, they'll be apoplectic...

 

[Wilson]

More that a few blues players might want to re-unite with MacDonald and enjoy some beachside living in Perth. Sotutu must surely be tired of slaving away in Auckland only to be overlooked by Robertson...

 

[todd4]

He might know a prop or two who wants to come west.

 

[upthereds#!]

Lined up to either a) take over force b) take over whichever team loses their coach to the wallabies or c) attack coach for wallabies

 

[Strewthcobber]

Bringing in a DOR is not a real strong vote of confidence in Mr Cron.....

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I thought the Rangi chat was a wind up but evidently it's serious. Wow.

 

[rugbyAU]

Any word on Donaldson?

He finished the game well but also said he was given painkillers at half time so I can't imagine he woke up feeling great on it.

on behind the posts he said it's a bit bruised and swollen but should be fine for Saturday

 

[Adam84]

Official, Leon MacDonald coming in as 'Coaching Consultant'.....

 

[Tazzmania]

The Western Force continues to build towards its vision to become a world class rugby club with the appointment of Leon MacDonald as the Club’s coaching consultant across all three programs......

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