Phoenix rising

By RugbyWA Media

Phoenix Battye won’t be pulling any punches

Canberra junior Phoenix Battye will have plenty of home town support ahead of an anticipated FxPro Super Rugby debut on Friday night in the nation’s capital, even if it is in the ocean blue of the Emirates Western Force.

The former Brumbies Academy lock made the switch to the west in 2011 and hasn’t looked back, making strong progress in the past 18 months. Taken under the wing of star second rower Nathan Sharpe, Battye will have the chance to play alongside his rugby hero in the season opener.

“It’s a dream come true to make a Super Rugby debut, especially in your home town with family and friends coming along,” Battye said.

“It’ll be a bit weird to be in the away team rooms as I’ve played out of the home changerooms at Canberra Stadium a few times as a junior but I’m happy where I am and looking forward to representing the Emirates Western Force.

“When opportunities come around you have to take them with both hands because they don’t come around easily or too often. Working with guys like Nathan Sharpe, Sam Wykes and Toby Lynn has been terrific. The forward pack at the Emirates Western Force is incredible and to be involved in that is a great feeling,” said Battye.

The 21 year old has had the week to let any nerves settle and is now is just looking forward to getting onto the field and help produce a winning start to 2012 for the Emirates Western Force.

“There have been some nerves but there are some great guys in our side who have lots of experience and they’ve made me feel at ease and I’m seeing how they go about preparing and making sure I tick all the boxes as well,” said Battye.

With Sharpe to hang up his boots at the end of the season Battye said the chance to watch and learn from close quarters will be invaluable, and should the rising youngster continue to take big leaps upwards he hopes his stay in WA will be a long one.

“While Canberra will always be my home I’m really enjoying my time in the west. The club has treated me really well and has given me this opportunity and I want to repay them as best I can,” Battye said.

For some reason i don't associate Sharpie with being a star. he isn't arrogant enough for that. Just a great work horse that goes the job for the team and no individual praise.

we're gonna miss him, glad he was at the force :D

mate and I were ranting about "that bloke in the red head gear" when Phoenix came on late in a middle of the year NZ game (dont recall which match)
he really made an impact, it could have been excitement or being eager to impress, but he was all over the play! the red head gear popping up in every ruck and charging the lines.
Im easily swayed by such performances, and I hope he steps up with Sharpes departure.

There's a three-way fight for the lock positions with Wykes, Lynn and Battye - all good blokes and I prefer a competition for places. Battye's still young but seems to have lots of potential.

yeah, def need 3 decent locks

I've read opinions that Battye isn't good enough over on G&GR. But to me he seems agressive and seems to win his collisions, that'll do me.

Could we maybe see a return of hocking we are in need of a good 4th lock?

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Originally Posted by GAFFA

Could we maybe see a return of hocking we are in need of a good 4th lock?

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Hocking has the physique of a lock but just didn't seem to have enough mongrel.

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Originally Posted by GAFFA

Could we maybe see a return of hocking we are in need of a good 4th lock?

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Originally Posted by todd4

Hocking has the physique of a lock but just didn't seem to have enough mongrel.

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He is still in town, seen him at :jbs: on the very odd occasion :approve:

I'd happily take Tom Hockings or Pat O'Connor (back in the Shute Shield) back at the Force. Australia is seriously short of experienced locks. We definitely need a devo lock for the EPS and if they are free, I'd go for Jed Holloway or Steve Cummins from the U20s. I would also be really interested in what Michael Foley thinks of Sam Wykes as a 6. Foley will no doubt be used to a big Waratahs pack.

jerry collins

Wykes was excellent at 6 a couple of years ago when we had serious back row injuries. And he adds extra height to the line-out.

Nice thought, but I think Wykesy should get a crack at "8". the reason I say this is that we have no serious 8's around. He is big, mobile and has a bit of mongrel - another Kieran read type who the Wallabies could use. And he keeps his head in the scrum, not like Higgers who looks like a prairie dog with his head always up and then our scrum gets pushed over.

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Originally Posted by The InnFORCEr

He is still in town, seen him at :jbs: on the very odd occasion :approve:

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I think he is in Japan now.