Western Force Announces Pre-Season Trial Matches for 2016

[Darren]

The Western Force will partake in two pre-season fixtures against the Hurricanes (Wednesday, 3 February) at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, New South Wales and against the Asia Pacific Dragons (Saturday, 13 February) in Perth, in the lead-up to the clubs 2016 Asteron Life Super Rugby campaign.

The Force will open their pre-season matches when they take on the Hurricanes at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford, New South Wales, which will prove vital to the Force’s pre-season development. With the 2016 Super Rugby Grand Final runners-up boasting names such as Julian Savea, Cory Jane and Nehe Milner-Skudder, it is sure to not only be a cracking contest, but a great test for a fresh-faced Western Force side.

The second fixture will see the Asia Pacific Dragons return to West Australian soil to play the Force for the second time in as many years. Last time the Dragons came to Perth, the Force walked away with a 38-19 victory in what was an end-to-end, physical encounter which saw the visitors fight their way back into the match during the second half before the home-side closed out the match with two tries in the final 20 minutes to walk away 19-point victors.

The invitational Dragons side is yet to be announced, but consists of players from the Japan Top League. Previously, the Dragons have included names such as Rico Gear, George Gregan, Justin Marshall, Jerry Collins, Toutai Kefu and Seilala Mapasua.

Ticketing information, as well as information on the location of the event (TBA) will be available in the coming weeks.

[MI5_Dog]

Why the fuck are the Force playing the Hurricanes in bumfuck NSW?
Did someone have the brilliant idea to play a pre-season match where no one will turn up and both teams have to travel?
If that was the whole idea why not play it in Darwin, or Alice Springs or Adelaide of somewhere else that's the arse end of nowhere and at least try and get to a new market of potential Force supporters.

[GIGS20]

I would think its got something to do with the canes not wanting to travel to play the cellar dwellers. I don't know what their schedule is, but they could be using it as a warm up match for a trial against the tahs the following week.

Riddle me this, would you prefer them to trial against a pointy end super rugby team in bumfuck, or a team of <insert random nationality here> nobodies who they found in a local pub in Perth.

I'd rather they get smashed by a decent team and not start the season with delusions of grandeur.

[MI5_Dog]

If they are going to travel for a pre-season game why do it half arsed in nowheresvill NSW when they could just go to the 'Canes home ground and do it there?
I'm not against the fixture
just where it's being played.
Why not do it in Sydney or Melbourne or Adelaide? Why the hell do it in Gosford of all bloody places?

[The InnFORCEr]

Cost too much to go to NZ, plus we have three weekends there around Easter. Have to get back to Perth for Saturday fixture (3 day turn around, well 10 days if you count correctly ). Plenty of our team is from North of Sydney, will almost be like a home game from them, if it was played in South West of Sydney, the Canes would have more supporters

Sydney 7s starts same day as Gosford match (well the weekend after thanks Ex )....just sayin'

[.X.]

Sydney 7s starts same day as Gosford match....just sayin'

7s are 6&7 Feb mate

[.X.]

I am only 100km away from Bumf*ck NSW - might go check it out....

[andrewg]

Why not do it in Sydney or Melbourne or Adelaide? Why the hell do it in Gosford of all bloody places?

I reckon the WF would go anywhere to play one of last year's finalists in a trial game.
GIGS has got that aspect well covered.

Why Gosford?
1. The Canes probably didn't want to travel to the West.
2. WF couldn't afford to travel to NZ.
3.WF can afford to take a bigger squad to Gosford.
4. Far from being "nowheresville NSW", Gosford with Blue Tongue Stadium has a Central Coast focus and strong support from League and Union. Centrally located btwn Newcastle and Sydney. Central coast is a popular holiday destination.
5. WF has a strong following in nearby Avoca (Hodgo's home town).
6. There is strong NZ support around the Hunter Valley and in Sydney.
7. They will very likely get more support in NSW that from Perth (where fans haven't shown a lot of support for previous trial matches)
8. Sydney and Melbourne have sport coming out of their ears at this time of year.
9. Adelaide currently is a waste of space for rugby.
10. Think about it....You know it makes sense.

[Alison]

I'm with Gigs. Mind you, most of us won't have the chance to see how they go. Will have to rely on NSW-based Force fans for our intell!

[beige]

I'm just happy they're getting some top-class opposition, wherever the game's played, as the Dragons are a bit of a crap-shoot with regards to who's in the team.

[hertryk]

I am only 100km away from Bumf*ck NSW - might go check it out....

Check out the new "Dominator" Trike on show in the Oztrikes showroom just outside of Gosford.. LOL!