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WESTERN FORCE MEDIA ALERT
Monday, 9 February 2015
Lock Sam Wykes will captain the Western Force for the start of the 2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby competition – the club’s 10th in the tournament.
Wykes will lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Matt Hodgson, who will miss the beginning of the season after suffering a hamstring injury in the team’s 38-19 pre-season win over the Asia Pacific Dragons. He is expected to return after the Force’s bye in Week Eight.
Nick Taylor
February 10, 2015, 8:09 am
Long-serving Western Force second-rower Sam Wykes will lead the Super Rugby side while club captain Matt Hodgson recovers from a serious hamstring injury.
Re-signed coach Michael Foley revealed seven-year veteran Wykes would lead the team for the first time against the Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday.
The Force have never tasted victory in round one.
Wykes, 26, has made 74 appearances since his debut in 2008 and captained the Perth Spirit in last season's National Rugby Championship.
He has previous leadership experience, having led the Force tour of Samoa three years ago and a 2012 trial against the Brumbies.
Foley believes players will lift during Hodgson's absence, with the veteran flanker staying close to the squad and taking various roles during his rehabilitation, including a stint in the coaches' box at Allianz Stadium against the Waratahs.
"Wykesy will take the captain's job," Foley said. "All the guys will lift and understand they have to lift in Matt's absence.
"Matt being out … some of the guys can draw some inspiration and potentially gives them an opportunity to lift and show how they can lead.
"Matt's still very much part of the team. He's not sitting in a rehab room for the entire day."
As revealed in _The West Australian _yesterday, Foley has committed to a further two years at the Force, along with his senior assistant Dave Wessels and attack and backs coach Kevin Foote.
He said having Wessels and Foote in his coaching team was integral to the deal and he was confident they could lead the side to a maiden finals appearance after missing out by just two points last year.
"Having the two coaches stay on was a massive part of the decision," Foley said.
"The board gave me a vote of confidence to stay on but for me to have Dave and 'Footey' here was an integral part of that.
"Tenure was a secondary issue, it was more about trying to be successful and those guys are very important to that.
"I committed to trying to achieve certain things at the club.
"Every club wants to make the finals and we're no different to anybody else. It's about attaining that first finals appearance. Once you do that you learn a lot from it.
"Once you lift the bar that little bit higher and make the finals regularly, we can hope to challenge for the No.1 spot which is ultimately the goal for everybody."
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...ppers-absence/
I would have thought Pek would have been first choice???
Can't wait to see Rex's response.
I have to admit, I'm a little surprised at this one, but have gotten myself to the point of trusting the coaching team. Well done Wykesey, with the calibre of men in this team it's an honour to be named captain, now go out there and SMACK CRAP OUT OF THE TAHS!!!!!
All hail Captain Plodder.
A surprise choice indeed!.. you need to have your captain on the park for the full 80, so I guess steedkamp and mafi will be rotated..... not my choice, but hopefully the powers that be know more than us!...
Thought it would be Pek but good luck to Sam and the rest of the team
Agree slomo - and there's Coleman as well, who I rate higher than Wykes.
Perhaps this points to Mafi having some time in the back 3?
He shouldnt even be in the run on. Wykes cant run 5 minutes without a spew. Aged care facilities have better athletes pushing zimmer frames.
Massive honour bestowed on a top bloke.
Now let's get behind the lads and give the 'tahs a bashing.
you looking at me,Rex?Quote:
Originally Posted by Rex Messup