Western Force 2025
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
Thalium
Darby Loudon (17)
Talented Australia U20s back Leahy extends stay with Force
westernforce.rugby
I really need the Tahs accountant to do my tax return!! how can they afford ANOTHER Wallaby!! its a complete rort. It could be a great opportunity poach a few players who can add depth to the Force.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
We arent thinking about players who have also left the Tahs like Perese and Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) prior to the spread of any Rebels. I think it also means a guy like Foketi is very likely to move on. 3 Wallaby back exits over the last couple of years.
TRue but dont think Marky Mark (Nawaqanitawase) was on a big contract (yet) when he left, should he have stayed it would have been a big top up and Perese was a single digit Wallaby so not getting the big $$, Joseph and Thor would take up half the cap I imagine so prob gonna need Thor to pick a contract abroad or head t othe Force as was suggested a few weeks ago
Nuggetyflyhalf
Ted Fahey (11)
Crisis time for the Force losing their best player to the Tahs
They'll probably be paying Potter $200k a year vs re-signing Lancaster for $140k a year.
Most of their remuneration is paid by Rugby Australia. They're not taking up half the Super Rugby cap.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
I know Perese was a rookie type Wallaby and Mark still on lower levels but they would have cost more than the likes of Walton, O'Donnell etc they have kept/brought in. Not making it sound like poor Tahs but they have let international players leave over the last few years. Donaldson left as well...
No, I 100% hear you, but I just get frustrated with how skewed the recruitment process is, I get that selling Perth is tough at times but with NSW under RA, I feel they get the first rejection on all the big signings. Maybe I am wrong.
Adam84
John Eales (66)
This management of perceived(or real) bias was always going to be something RA would struggle with under a centralisation model, especially if it comes to RA top-ups and the like
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
They definitely are pushing it up hill to get and retain guys. With Rugby being so heavily centralised in Sydney and Brisbane your'e always battling the lure of home. Something many AFL sides on the east coast have faced. While Potter is from Melbourne he also cut his teeth and became a pro player out of Sydney Uni before going to England. Sadly this is probably part of it.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
What about Angus Crichton? RA only tried to sign him if he went to the Force. It also hurts that trying to sign a leaguie doesn't actually create noise in Perth either so your media value by signing one is reduced. Hard situation at that higher professional level.
Mr Pilfer
Cyril Towers (30)
It is definitely not an even playing field. The Tahs probably only need to pay Potter $200k because the Wallabies pick up the rest, whereas now the Force will most likely have to pay alot more than that to attract George Bridge or others.
They should scrap all Wallabies top ups and then just pay players match payments if they get picked for the Wallabies, that way the salary cap will actually be even.
They should scrap all Wallabies top ups and then just pay players match payments if they get picked for the Wallabies, that way the salary cap will actually be even.
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
Yep, then see a vast majority of players take the security of guaranteed overseas contracts
Then a whole lot of those top players won't remain in Australia.
Mr Pilfer
Cyril Towers (30)
there are only so many spots available overseas, the English and French clubs are not allowed to field a full 15 of Wallabies. Maybe paying the Wallabies incentive/performance bonuses might also improve the performance
If more of the top players want contracts overseas they just take the contracts of the players from a rung below.
The reason we have Rugby Australia contracts for our top players is because they are the most in demand players and hardest to retain. Obviously if every player decided to go overseas at once they wouldn't all find good jobs available. That's never the case though.
If a player's option in Australia is a guaranteed contract of $500k and the offer overseas is $600k they are fairly likely to stay in Australia. If that Australian contract moved to a guarantee of $220k plus the ability to earn $500k in total but only if they play most of the Wallabies tests then they are far more likely to head overseas.
Who wants to risk 60% of their salary in a contact sport where serious injuries happen regularly?
As with anything, the top performers have the most bargaining power when it comes to their employment.
The Ghost of Raelene
Rod McCall (65)
Sad reality of being in a non traditional Rugby State as well. Sucks they haven't got the kids in the system blooded ready to go.
Is anyone asking Chris Goodman about the talent pipeline? He's been with the Force for 5 years but it's still always about picking up mid career guys from other sides like Stewart, Kuenzle, Harris, Robertson etc but how many guys have come through that were picked up at 18/19 from the East Coast... I know sides always need to recruit established players but to be successful you need internal development. The Brums aren't competitive in the 16s or 18s if they went against NSW but go out and get what they need and then bring them through to Super Rugby. Not seeing the Force go get guys like Pollard, Hooper, Reimer etc. The Force did do it once in Luke Jones I'll give them that, but he didn't hang around.