Akihito Yamada joins the squad this week

[The InnFORCEr]

Akihito Yamada will join the squad this week. He joins the Force following Panasonic’s 30-12 win over Yamaha in their Top League grand final on the weekend. Akihito crossed for one try in the Wild Knights’ victory and set up another for Berrick Barnes. He was named the post-season Most Valuable Player.

[westies man]

With yet another outside back signed the Force is going to have the strongest 7's squad ever assembled. I would be pretty pissed if I was someone like Brad Lacey amongst others who has trained his arse off 7 days a week for the last 6 months only to have some foreigner who is ineligible for higher honours come in over the top of me.
The powers that be don't have the funds to select junior rep sides with a meaningful tour but will spend plenty on a player where we have real depth with our own homegrown.
Just because everyone else does it doesn't make it right.
Little wonder we are bleeding potential future Wallabies overseas at a younger rapid rate.

[maelkann]

The Japanese player for each club is listed as a concession, outside the 35 man squad.

Does this mean we a) don't count in the salary cap, b) don't pay him? (I remember hearing that they are paid elsewhere, but can't find a reliable source.)

If given a free Japanese player for a year, where would you concentrate on positionwise instead, westies?

[sittingbison]

...If given a free Japanese player for a year, where would you concentrate on positionwise...?

hehe

[maelkann]

Which I believe the Rebels just did?

[andrewg]

The Western Force should/will be trying to get the best team on the field every week without being driven in any way by parochialism.

We finally have options in most positions such that even players like the HB is going to have to prove himself before he earns a position.

There is no guarantee that Yamada will even get a game with the likes of Brache, Morahan, Lacey, HB, Nikoro and Scott.

If having Yamada here helps sell the game to a new big audience which makes the next RWC even better then hooray!!!

[James]

It is always good to appeal to a new market and picking up a few Japanese fans would do the Force no harm at all.

Brad Lacey only turned 20 last year. He very likely isn't ready for Super Rugby. I would not call that depth. I would call that a development prospect.

[G_Beard]

It can only be a positive for everyone involved in rugby in WA.

[westies man]

The Western Force should/will be trying to get the best team on the field every week without being driven in any way by parochialism.

Should be able to make up 5 decent Super 15 squads out of 250 000 Australian players.

[GIGS20]

Should be able to make up 5 decent Super 15 squads out of 250 000 Australian players.

Apparently not based upon performances

[fulvio sammut]

Hey, Westie, the rumour is the new Force Japanese guy is playing for your club this season.

Why the sad face?

[Buddha Handy]

Hey, Westie, the rumour is the new Force Japanese guy is playing for your club this season.

Why the sad face?

Of course he is. You wouldn't want to allocate any of the new recruits to a team that is struggling, Wanneroo, Joondalup, Perth etc