Force bolster pack with Williams signing

Tue, 21/06/2022, 7:57 am
Nathan Williamson


The Force were looking to keep their finals hopes alive against the visiting Hurricanes.
The Western Force have continued to build for the future, signing Waratahs lock Jeremy Williams on a two year deal.

The 21-year-old makes the move west after debuting for his home state in 2021 against the Reds, playing 12 games across Super Rugby AU and Trans-Tasman.

He struggled for consistent game time in 2022, featuring just five times, embracing the chance to step outside his comfort zone and link up with incoming coach Simon Cron.

“I think this is going to be a really good move. I’ve been in Sydney all my life so it’s going to be a new experience to meet all the boys and get stuck in. I’m really looking forward to it,” Williams said in a statement.

“I saw a good opportunity here to develop my game and take it to the next level. The Force is a good place to do that, and it is a good time for me to get out of my comfort zone and take on a new challenge.

“To play for the Wallabies is the goal for most people playing Super Rugby, but at the moment I am focused on getting better as a person and a player and developing my game

“I’m also looking forward to working with (Simon) Cron again. I’ve had a bit of experience with him before and I think working with him will be awesome.”

Western Force coach Tim Sampson and scrumhalf Ian Prior spoke after match against the Hurricanes.
Williams' signing comes at the perfect time for the club, with the retiring Jeremy Thrush leaving at the end of the season, joining former Rebels captain Michael Wells.

“Jeremy is a talented young player who is hungry for the opportunity to play more consistently at the Super Rugby level, which makes him a very exciting signing for us. We know he is a hard worker which is a trait we are always looking for,” GM of Rugby Matt Hodgson added.

“His ability to swing between the second row and the back row makes him a versatile addition to the team.

“It will be great to see him pair up with the likes of Izack Rodda and Kane Koteka and see how he develops and learns from them.”

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wester...igning-2022620

Fantastic to see us building depth across all positions.
Williams has that little bit of mongrel who can cover Lock and Back Row and provide options while players such as Jackson Pugh, Luke Callan, Connor Seve and Tm Anstee develop as SR players.

Interesting signing, we need locks and he has a Cron connection.

Just shy of 2m and at 111 kg a decent size frame.

This season only played 5 matches, 2 as a starter for the Tahs, and last season 4 starts out of 12 matches.

Young and hopefully has scope to develop.

Williams first super rugby try for the Tahs Number 20 features twice in the movement

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Originally Posted by andrewg

Connor Seve

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Tell me more....

Got excited when I saw the title, thinking it was Tamaiti Williams.
Not as exciting as that would be, but good to be bolstering our depth for sure.

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Originally Posted by Tazzmania

Interesting signing, we need locks and he has a Cron connection.

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Isn't it interesting how two people can look at the same list and see different holes?

I would say we're OK at lock with Rodda, McAuley and Pugh all having seen some game time, but we need a Fergus Lee-Warner replacement (part time lock-number 6) I'm not saying it's a good signing, but I'd think that (at least by the description of his game) he was being fitted up for 6 with an additional cover role at lock.

Still worried about Tighthead, Depth in the Backrow, do we keep McDonald who is the future in 9, the Centres and depth at 15, but there's plenty of places to be filled.

I just hope we get SOME experience in the squad we've lost several billion caps this year.

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Originally Posted by The InnFORCEr

Tell me more....

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Sorry IF

No inside info/leak here.

Conner was part of the Academy this year, has been selected in the U20's Wallabies and I reckon he's a fine young man .
I rate him highly as a high potential WIP.

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Originally Posted by GIGS20

Isn't it interesting how two people can look at the same list and see different holes?

I would say we're OK at lock with Rodda, McAuley and Pugh all having seen some game time, but we need a Fergus Lee-Warner replacement (part time lock-number 6) I'm not saying it's a good signing, but I'd think that (at least by the description of his game) he was being fitted up for 6 with an additional cover role at lock.

Still worried about Tighthead, Depth in the Backrow, do we keep McDonald who is the future in 9, the Centres and depth at 15, but there's plenty of places to be filled.

I just hope we get SOME experience in the squad we've lost several billion caps this year.

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Exciting isn't it as we must have have a big number of new recruits still to come.

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Originally Posted by andrewg

Exciting isn't it as we must have have a big number of new recruits still to come.

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I mean exciting is a word, I'm certainly on the edge of my seat.

The potential for disaster is pretty high though, it has to be said, finding that many bodies in a limited market when the coach has pretty much said not everybody he wants is off contract right now, there is a likelihood that we'll have to take some duds just to fill the roster.

on the other hand. If the stars align and the name Simon Cron is worth what some are saying it is, if the culture is enticing to players and the salary cap room is managed well it could be bloody spectacular.

I guess that qualifies as exciting.

Isn't that a Chinese curse: "May you live in exciting times!"

Wow Sheek...surely you must have been excited and pleasantly surprised about something in your life???? :)

No, I work in engineering.

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Originally Posted by Sheikh

No, I work in engineering.

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how about the "engineers song"?

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Originally Posted by brokendown gunfighter

how about the "engineers song"?

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Round and Round went the bloody great wheel