Force 'raring to go' ahead of opening pre-season trial game vs Reds
Thu, Jan 25, 2024, 2:00 PM
by Ben Somerford
The Western Force’s opening pre-season trial game ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific is just over a week away and recruit Ben Donaldson says the players are “raring to go”.
The Force have been in pre-season training since early November and will have an internal hit-out on Friday before their first trial game proper against the Queensland Reds at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday 3 February from 1pm WST.
The trial game will be live streamed with details to be shared closer to the game. The Force will take a wider plying group to Queensland, with the game to be played across 90 minutes in three 30-minute thirds.
Donaldson, who joined the Force from the NSW Waratahs in the off-season, said he’d enjoyed his first pre-season at the club under head coach Simon Cron but the focus was now switching to competitive action.
“Cronny is a very good coach,” Donaldson told 91.3 Sport FM. “He does a few different things. He’s very detailed. We’re always out in meetings, in the paddock walking through things, finetuning small details.
“When we’re on the field, it’s go time. We’ve got long field sessions, which is different to what I’ve had in the past but the boys are enjoying it. The boys are working really hard.
“Simon has been awesome with his coaching staff, boys are working really hard. First trial next week, the boys are raring to go.”
The Force hit the road for the Reds’ game but will be back in Perth for their second pre-season trial against the ACT Brumbies at Revo Fitness Stadium in Claremont on Saturday 10 February from 5pm WST.
The club will host its annual Fan Day around the Brumbies’ game with Members and supporters welcome to join from 4pm WST free of charge with activations, player autograph and selfie opportunities along with live rugby action.
The WA Rugby community are encouraged to enjoy the free event which will also include Super W players and coaches in attendance and plenty of exciting and fun activities prior to kick-off from 4pm. Fans are also welcome to mix with the Force players with “fans on field” following the final whistle.
Memberships are on sale now, including the offer of free Junior Memberships.
Western Force 2024 trial games
Queensland Reds v Western Force - Saturday 3 February 2024, Ballymore, 1:15pm WST
Western Force v ACT Brumbies - Saturday 10 February 2024, Revo Fitness Stadium, play starts 5pm WST, free entry (Fan Day from 4pm WST)
