Trio of big-names helping to carve out a pathway for young hopefuls in new-look Weste
This YouTube link of the younger Mataele was in the story. Looks the goods. Hopefully I've added it correctly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8yC7irp4Qc
Trio of big-names helping to carve out a pathway for young hopefuls in new-look Western Force academy
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Wed, 15 September 2021 2:45PM
A star-studded coaching line-up is set to carve pathways for Super Rugby hopefuls in the new-look Western Force academy.
Prop Greg Holmes, currently with the Wallabies squad, and former All Blacks back Richard Kahui and second-rower Jeremy Thrush have joined coach Dylan Parsons.
They will still be playing in next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition but will assist Parsons who is also the new Force skills coach.
He is the first product of RugbyWA’s coaching pathway to join the professional set-up.
Parsons said the trio will also work with the WA under-19 squad until they start their Super pre-season full-time.
“It’s really exciting, the knowledge and specialist skills they bring, the experience they can draw on and share with the younger guys,” Parsons said.
“They will be great mentors for the young guys who look up to them and who will now get to share their experiences day-to-day.
“They want to have connections to the Force and with the jersey.
“It’s a huge opportunity and that’s a huge drawcard compared to what some of the other franchises offer.”
The academy will have around 30 players with about six coming from six the Eastern States.
The top tier will train full-time with the Super squad, the second tier will join Super players in selected sessions while the youngest group will be players of national interest to build depth into the long-term future.
One player is teenage winger Rupeni Mataele, brother of Fiji international flier Manasa Mataele who has signed for the Force from the Crusaders on a two-year deal.
The 17-year-old, currently in his last year at Wellington’s Scots College, will be a foreign development player signed to the academy for at least two years.
Force head of rugby Matt Hodgson said more resources have been channelled into the academy.
“We realised a lot more was needed for the programme,” Hodgson said.
“Selection will be based on who is available and what depth is needed.
“We work closely with Rugby Australia on identifying players.
“The big thing for us is how we transfer those players into Super players and then how do we keep them at the Western Force.
“We are not going to be racking and stacking.
“Positions will be aimed at where we are likely to have a shortage in two three or years.”
Three academy players prop Siosifa Amone and back-rowers Alex Masibaka and Luke Callan were selected for the Junior Wallabies this year.
Another two homegrown products, centre Grason Makara and second row Jackson Pugh, signed for the next Super season joining academy graduate and back-rower Ollie Callan.
Flanker Kane Koteka and centre Kyle Godwin are among current Super players to have graduated from the academy.
