full squad just announced-members should have the e-mail
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full squad just announced-members should have the e-mail
Impressive! Most impressive!
So the squad is looking like:
Props (6)
Bo Abra
Greg Holmes
Harry Lloyd
Santiago Medrano
Tom Robertson
Angus Wagner
Hookers (3)
Feleti Kaitu'u
Andrew Ready
Jack Winchester
Locks (5)
Ryan McCauley
Jackson Pugh
Izack Rodda
Sitaleki Timani
Jeremy Thrush
Back-row (5)
Tim Anstee
Ollie Callan
Kane Koteka
Fergus Lee-Warner
Brynard Stander
Scrumhalf (3)
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
Michael McDonald
Ian Prior (c)
Flyhalf (3)
Bailey Kuenzle
Jake McIntyre
Reesjan Pasitoa
Centre (4)
Kyle Godwin
Richard Kahui
Grason Makara
Reece Tapine
Wingers (5)
Daniel Ala
Brad Lacey
Manasa Mataele
Toni Pulu
Byron Ralston
Full Backs (2)
Jack McGregor
Jake Strachan
Bearing in mind that Holmes, Thrush and Kahui might play less with their coaching roles, there's possibly some gaps in the centres still (although a number of the backs can play multiple roles).
I'm a little surprised that Timani is still here - I thought he was with us as a stepping stone to the Waratahs (who are terribly light on locks again). But Timani and Rodda should make an awesome lock combination with Thrush involved, too, and McCauley and Pugh should learn a lot (even if they might find it difficult to get a game!)
The props have Holmes, Robertson, Medrano and Lloyd probably as the main guys, but Wagner would be pushing for a spot and Abra may get a few opportunities. I assume that we still have Victor Harris in the WTS and will bring in another young prop from the Force Future squad to fill the next spot on the conveyor belt.
The hookers are unchanged from last year, but with Kaitu'u's Wallaby call-up, I presume he'll be the main man and Ready the bench player with Winchester as cover.
The back row seems light with only 5 players, considering you need 3+1 for each game, but those guys seem to be made of teak (and Pugh can drop back to the back-row at a push).
Scrum-half is a real battle, and Prior's club captaincy may not translate into match captaincy. Fly-half is McIntyre's but with a couple of promising young guys knocking on the door.
The centres should be Godwin and Kahui as Makara and Tapine are a bit young, but like Kuenzle and Pasitoa have promise.
The wingers have some serious pace with Pulu, Lacey, Mataele, Ralston and Ala (maybe Mataele could move into the centres, if his defense is good enough) and the full-backs have McGregor and Strachan back picking up their battle from last year.
I think we're still a little inexperienced in the backs to unlock the better defenses, but a lot of that will come down to the coaching, but we have a forward pack who can go toe to toe with pretty much anybody in Super Rugby. I'm getting excited already!
I honestly believe that the Western Force is a better Team with Holmes, Thrush, and Kahui on the field.
Having them as a part of the Coaching set up within the organisation is a great move for the future.
I just hope that they are willing and able to competitively contribute on the field for a long time.
I remember Tony Lewis saying in one of his interviews that they were going to let Holmes, Thrush and Kahui not worry too much about the coaching stuff this season and just let them enjoy their last year on the feild.
Thrush and Kahui coached the WA U16 squad one night this year.
Afterwards I said to my grandson "Its great for you to have coaching by 2 former All Blacks"
My grandson replied, "Oh, were they All Blacks?"
(This kid is smart and has attended many Force games with me).
Kahui has been doing a reasonable amount of coaching of the younger players at Baysie for the last year or so anyway. Seems he's getting the feel of it.
I'm seeing plenty who can play 6 and 8 but Kane is the only recognisable 7, do we think there's a plan to convert somebody like Tim or Ollie?
Pretty sure stander could make the switch easily, but he's a less long term option than Kane imho
Timani is in the 36 listed in yesterday's announcement.
Perhaps I am wrong, But 2022 Recruiting drive seems to have concentrated on Coaching/Management Staff rather than Big Names on the field.
Don't get me wrong - I think the off-field recruiting is exactly what we needed in the long term. But I think there are some gaps that haven't been filled.
Here’s my thoughts ( for what it’s worth) This is a well constructed squad with potential all over the park . If Thrush and Kahui are as fit as last season then they must play regularly. Holmes has great impact off the bench . Fines should be a regular starter with Mc Donald eased into the team and Prior used whenever required….. Biggest overall asset will be the culture ….. I’m excited…..Cmon Force !!
I definitely think there is also a lack of depth out there. Waratahs really wanted Rodda but we got him. Look at the Tahs squad, they only have 2 hookers which is a big worry for them. Rebels lost some key players like Koribete, Naisarani and haven't really replaced them.
So I think we have done pretty well with what is available and last year we needed to quickly move and sign some Argies and Kiwis but this year we were always going to focus more on Aus eligible players and youngsters
The Tahs don't need more than two hookers. Any injuries and they'll call up the next Shute Shield player; and as everyone knows players in the Shute Shield are already better than Super Rugby ready and are basically almost International/World Class standard. [/sarcasm]
Where has Victor Harris gone
It appears that Cambell Parata (flyhalf) may have signed for The Force for three years if reports on Green and Gold are correct.
He appears to be a great signing as having showed potential in Qld Club scene and having spent some time with the Crusaders and Tasman Mako.
Staring to build a great youth base with some older dogs to nuture and guide the team.
Roll on season 2022
You tube vision of him and Pasitao
I am starting to think Pasitoa might make a better fullback with Parata at 10. I know highlights aren't much to go on, but Parata seemed the better distributor and Pasitoa the better runner.