Jordy Pereira

[pieter blackie]

The forceguy are you able to expand any further on the changes we can expect to see for elite junior rugby players in this state?

I will help out here Have a look at this thread it is a summary of the proposed Junior Gold Cup

http://twf.com.au/showthread.php?p=351672#post351672

[westies man]

We've produced more than half a dozen players who are Super Rugby quality. .

That' the problem James,where are those players now and why

[pieter blackie]

To all those knocking Nestor (I have never met the bloke and know nothing about him) can I ask does anyone know of anyone who they believe could/would do a better job of identifying and developing rugby talent from this state

As for Nestor - Most honest and committed rugby man currently employed at RugbyWA in my view. He will call a spade a spade and if you are bullshitting then he will tell you in your face. In no way has he ever influenced players to move clubs in most cases he would not even know from which clubs players are!! I have bumped heads with Dwayne around various topics and I can assure you he knows his stuff!!!!. If there is true talent out there in WA then Dwayne will know his name however most of these boys does not know what commitment means so therefore the big drop out rate from our Academies .

He must have the most difficult job at RugbyWA because all the parents out there believe their kid is the next James O Connor or David Pocock and when Dwayne gives you the facts then he is the shit-head in the story.

[James]

That' the problem James,where are those players now and why

Kieran Longbottom- currently playing for the Force- because the Force are awesome.
Kyle Godwin- currently playing for the Force- as above.
Justin Turner- not currently playing AFAIK- because of on-going injury problems.
Dane Haylett-Petty- France- he went off to get game time to develop as a player and hasn't been brought back yet.
Ryan Tyrell- local rugby- neck injuries.
Zack Holmes- Brumbies (Ewewweweweee)- because whoever was in charge of recruitment dropped the ball

Plus there are a number of fringe guys like Cruze Ah-Nau or Oli Hoskins.

[Piston]

Kieran Longbottom- currently playing for the Force- because the Force are awesome.
Kyle Godwin- currently playing for the Force- as above.
Justin Turner- not currently playing AFAIK- because of on-going injury problems.
Dane Haylett-Petty- France- he went off to get game time to develop as a player and hasn't been brought back yet.
Ryan Tyrell- local rugby- neck injuries.
Zack Holmes- Brumbies (Ewewweweweee)- because whoever was in charge of recruitment dropped the ball

Plus there are a number of fringe guys like Cruze Ah-Nau or Oli Hoskins.

You can add Siliva Siliva (hooker), playing for the Brumbies.

[James]

Nah- he was a Melbourne product who came here when he was about 18. We had a hooker in the Australian Schoolboys two years ago- Harry Scoble. Pretty sure he's a ranga too. Can't beat a forward with red hair.

[westies man]

Into our eighth season so at this rate we should expect our team of home grown talent to be around 2030

[GIGS20]

Zack Holmes- Brumbies (Ewewweweweee)- because whoever was in charge of recruitment dropped the ball

Plus there are a number of fringe guys like Cruze Ah-Nau or Oli Hoskins.

PAE?

Zack is on the way back, I don't think I would be blaming talent identification and academy programs, it looked to me like he went to the club which offered him a proper contract rather than an academy slot.

Ps, I don't have any contact with Mr Nestor, so don't really fall either side of this argument.

[DinkyDi]

RM - I cant believe that I actually praised one of your comments (could have done two but the finger could not hit that button again)

I have personally seen a large number of talented kids come and go from the academy over the years and I can tell you that most were given a very good shot at stepping up and developing under a good "elite" system. To do this, as has been commented in this thread, requires commitment from both the player (who mat be 15 at the time), his parents, extended family and friends and Rugby WA.

The main issue for "being ejected from the squad" is that either the kids will not commit to the rigors of the training program or he cannot, for many many reasons, get the support from his family to get him to training, assist in the outside continued development or help him develop at a professional athlete by guiding him down a path that is focused for his dream.

The issue with at lot of these talented kids is mental. They have physical capabilities, they have the prerequisite rugby skills but do they have the drive to sacrifice a normal teenage life style to achieve their professional aspirations. The answer in 70% of cases is no.

Talent is no where near enough to make it. There are only 180 contracted players in Aus (roughly) and there are probably 18000 with the talent to make it at all ages but only a few who are willing to put it all on the line and have the 24-7 support network to keep them getting to training, staying on the correct life path etc, have the slimmest of shots.

Dwayne does the best he can with the kids that can stick at it. He has developed a number of good players but you need to put it in to perspective. If kids, no matter how good, cant train then they are let go. If they cant keep to the S&C regime along with body maintenance, then they are let go. If they cannot play and train in a team environment and believe their own press about how good their U18 club coach thinks they are then they are let go. If it all gets too much and they decide that friends and socialising is more important, then they are let go.

All of the above scenarios have happened to "talent" over the last few years but Dwayne has never made it public that XX was a spoilt brat and mummy thinks he should be a 10 not a 13, or that YYY, whilst being a massive lad who runs over kids his age, cant pass or has once turned around to chase, gives up as that is not his job. He speaks to the kid and his folks to see if things can change but if not he has to give someone else a shot.

Now I have had many a heated disagreement with Dwayne over the years and I think that some of his decisions re dropping kids were wrong, however I praise him for his ability to stick to his guns and seek kids who have the potential to reach the Pro level in Aus and overseas. This is not about making local club players, thats up to the club coaches. Its about finding the one or two kids each year who have the combination of everything I have pointed out in this missive and giving them a crack at the next level.

[DinkyDi]

On the real note of this thread, it seems that Jordy has been let go from the Samoan team today as he does not fit their game plan.

Sorry to hear this Jordy.. there is always next year.

[RugbyRef]

It would be nice for them to let kids be kids for a while, whilst still encouraging them to 'enjoy' their rugby. Those who wish to sacrifice their teenage years can do so, and may become the next James O'Connor. But they are not too old at 21.

[RumourMonger]

If they want the regular teenage life they should train twice a week with their mates at their club team, play on Saturdays and socialise for the rest of the time. That's 99% of young rugby players in Perth.

Sacrifices are required from a young age to go pro in any sport, and rugby's no different.

It is a shame when travel distances and a family's financial constraints are the main reasons for talent not rising to the top.

Rugby WA's website section re Academy is 2 years out of date by the looks - many of those shown have fallen by the wayside and no longer involved with new kids replacing them.

Academies are a medium term investment at best and will never be a quick fix.

PS Dinky; we're even!

[James]

Into our eighth season so at this rate we should expect our team of home grown talent to be around 2030

We probably won't ever get to that point- just like the ACT never have. I hope that in the next three years we have match day 22 (or 23) that is half Force. It's unrealistic but entirely possible.

PAE?

Nope, sorry, Queenslander.

[DinkyDi]

BTW - Dane HP has left Biartiz and is on his way home due to family reasons. Free agent. Will the Force pick him up?

[James]

BTW - Dane HP has left Biartiz and is on his way home due to family reasons. Free agent. Will the Force pick him up?

Bloody hope so.