2025 Squad - Speculation Thread

[shasta]

Isn’t it Chris Goodman now?

Dunno. AFAIK Hodgo is General Manager of Football.

[Kernow]

Dunno. AFAIK Hodgo is General Manager of Football.

I think that got shaken up a couple of months back now. Hodgo is Director of Strategy (pretty sure that means get more home games to begin with) and Chris promoted from one of the Academies I think.

[The InnFORCEr]

Did you take that to mean just outcomes or process as well?

Process which leads to the outcomes

[Transiting]

HJH is going to play THP, whether he likes it or not. At LHP, in no particular order are: Robertson, Hoopert, Hancock, and Pearce. I think HJH will be a very good bench THP. But who starts at THP? I'd prefer Eloff over Pone.

[AndyS]

It's hard to put aside the impression that it's just the same old, same old shit. If it quacks like a duck.....

What could possibly have made anyone think the same old shit was going to change in any way?

As far as RA is concerned, the only point of the Force is as arrivals and departures. They're not likely to get any Rebels player the other teams have any interest in, or even any displaced player who might be of interest elsewhere. At most the Force might get a few players who otherwise have no options other than maybe overseas.

No point complaining about it. If the Force is happy playing RA's game to RA rules, can't expect anything different. It is on the Force to change the dynamic.

[sandgroperrugby]

I have quote from an unnamed sauce at HQ about the maneuvering of Rebels players "we are being fucked, completely fucked"

What’s new in this? The goal is getting the heartland strong again and proving their decision and logic of shrinking to greatness was right all along.

Will be interesting to see where this ends up in a year.

[GIGS20]

But who starts at THP? I'd prefer Eloff over Pone.

I too would prefer Eloff over Pone, but wouldn't be opposed to both.

I think, assuming both Eloff and Pone sign (and assuming fitness) I'd go for HJH to start unless we're expecting to be put under the torch in the scrum. Eloff would be a better scrummager, but HJH is a more rounded option IMHO.

No that pun wasn't intentional

[GIGS20]

I have quote from an unnamed sauce at HQ about the maneuvering of Rebels players "we are being fucked, completely fucked"

I've stewed on this since I read it.

I've decided fuck em, I'd rather be a team of rejects who lose every week and only get up to bash the Tahs than get too closely involved with that pit of vipers.

Cast offs welcome in Perth!

[The InnFORCEr]

Wallabies lock Carter & hooker Horton re-commit to Force
Wed, Jul 17, 2024, 7:45 AM
BS
by Ben Somerford


The Western Force have received a double boost with the re-signings of veteran Wallabies lock Sam Carter and dynamic hooker Tom Horton.

Carter, 34, offered a glimpse of his experience and quality across five games in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season after joining the Force in mid-season.

The 16-cap Wallabies second-rower starred with a crucial try in the memorable Round 9 win over the Crusaders. Carter won 12 lineouts including one steal, completing 37 tackles in his five games, but also brought experience and calmness to the Force forward pack.

Carter, who previously played 122 times in Super Rugby for the ACT Brumbies before stints in Ireland with Ulster and England with Leicester Tigers, was thrilled to re-sign with the Force with his young family settling into Perth life.

Carter said: “It’s exciting to sign on for another year. When I joined in mid-season, I liked what I saw. I’ve enjoyed playing rugby with these players and working with the wider group.

“I believe we can keep moving forward next year and really make a mark and push for finals. It’s a talented young group, great coaching staff and culture and I’m excited to rip in and play my part.

“Off-field, after re-locating from the UK, my young family and I are loving life in Perth, so we’re delighted to extend our stay.”

Horton, 27, has played 28 times for the Force following his move from the NSW Waratahs at the end of 2022, including starting all 14 games in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The hooker scored three tries in the 2024 season, finishing with the second-most metres gained for a Force forward (211m) from 63 carries, while he was fourth in the team for tackles (147). The Sydney University product has 54 caps of Super Rugby experience, having brought up his 50th Super Rugby cap in the Round 11 clash with the Chiefs.

Horton, who was called into the Wallabies squad in 2020, said he was delighted to re-commit to the Force.

Horton said: “I’m happy with the direction of the club and excited about the new players who’ve been signed to the squad and what they can bring.

“Perth is a great city to live and I’m loving being part of the current playing group at the Force, so I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve done the last two seasons in 2025.”

Force general manager of rugby Chris Goodman was delighted to see the forward pair re-commit to the Club.

“We’re thrilled to see Sam and Tom re-commit to the Force,” he said.

“Sam brings considerable top-level experience and we saw first-hand his impact last season both on-field and off-field. We’re happy that Sam and his young family have settled into Perth life and we’re excited about his potential impact with a full pre-season in the Force environment.

“Tom is a reliable and no-nonsense player who played high minutes in the 2024 season at a consistent level. With increased depth in our hooker ranks, Tom is committed to competing for his spot and working hard for himself which can only benefit the team.”

[shasta]

Will be interesting to see where this ends up in a year.

If reports are true that unwilling Rebels players were being coerced to go to Sydney, there's a fair chance it will end in tears yet again.

[Garry Owen]

Wallabies lock Carter & hooker Horton re-commit to Force
Wed, Jul 17, 2024, 7:45 AM
BS
by Ben Somerford


The Western Force have received a double boost with the re-signings of veteran Wallabies lock Sam Carter and dynamic hooker Tom Horton.

Carter, 34, offered a glimpse of his experience and quality across five games in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season after joining the Force in mid-season.

The 16-cap Wallabies second-rower starred with a crucial try in the memorable Round 9 win over the Crusaders. Carter won 12 lineouts including one steal, completing 37 tackles in his five games, but also brought experience and calmness to the Force forward pack.

Carter, who previously played 122 times in Super Rugby for the ACT Brumbies before stints in Ireland with Ulster and England with Leicester Tigers, was thrilled to re-sign with the Force with his young family settling into Perth life.

Carter said: “It’s exciting to sign on for another year. When I joined in mid-season, I liked what I saw. I’ve enjoyed playing rugby with these players and working with the wider group.

“I believe we can keep moving forward next year and really make a mark and push for finals. It’s a talented young group, great coaching staff and culture and I’m excited to rip in and play my part.

“Off-field, after re-locating from the UK, my young family and I are loving life in Perth, so we’re delighted to extend our stay.”

Horton, 27, has played 28 times for the Force following his move from the NSW Waratahs at the end of 2022, including starting all 14 games in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The hooker scored three tries in the 2024 season, finishing with the second-most metres gained for a Force forward (211m) from 63 carries, while he was fourth in the team for tackles (147). The Sydney University product has 54 caps of Super Rugby experience, having brought up his 50th Super Rugby cap in the Round 11 clash with the Chiefs.

Horton, who was called into the Wallabies squad in 2020, said he was delighted to re-commit to the Force.

Horton said: “I’m happy with the direction of the club and excited about the new players who’ve been signed to the squad and what they can bring.

“Perth is a great city to live and I’m loving being part of the current playing group at the Force, so I’m looking forward to building on what we’ve done the last two seasons in 2025.”

Force general manager of rugby Chris Goodman was delighted to see the forward pair re-commit to the Club.

“We’re thrilled to see Sam and Tom re-commit to the Force,” he said.

“Sam brings considerable top-level experience and we saw first-hand his impact last season both on-field and off-field. We’re happy that Sam and his young family have settled into Perth life and we’re excited about his potential impact with a full pre-season in the Force environment.

“Tom is a reliable and no-nonsense player who played high minutes in the 2024 season at a consistent level. With increased depth in our hooker ranks, Tom is committed to competing for his spot and working hard for himself which can only benefit the team.”

This is great news, for some reason I thought Carter was gone. He is on the older side but still showed he has what it takes and opens up the option to play Williams at 6 if needed. Would be huge if we could sign Leota though to top it off

[volvo]

Prinsep and Franklin Resign, Force I think have also let the cat out of the bag that Williams has also resigned

Forward duo Franklin and Prinsep pen new Force deals
Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 7:45 AM
BS
by Ben Somerford


The Western Force are today delighted to confirm the re-signings of Maori All-Blacks forward pair Reed Prinsep and Tom Franklin.

The duo’s re-signings come after forward duo Sam Carter and Tom Horton re-committed to the Force on new deals along with the signing of capped Wallabies prop Harry Johnson-Holmes earlier this week to bolster the Club’s pack.

Ten-time Maori All Blacks loose forward Prinsep, 31, impressed across 11 games in the 2024 Super Rugby season, including nine starts where his tireless work-rate and go-forward impressed onlookers.

The back-rower debuted for the Force in Round 4 after joining on an injury cover contract, having previously played 71 Super Rugby games from 2017 to 2022 with the Hurricanes and one in 2016 with the Crusaders.

Prinsep was the Force’s leading forward for metres gained (220) in 2024 from 82 carries, while he was also a handy lineout option and had the side’s third most tackles (164) across the campaign.

Prinsep said: “I am very excited to be re-signing with the Force for next season. There are good people at all levels of the club with a real desire to do whatever it takes to win.

“I look forward to contributing to this over the next 12 months in what is an exciting year for rugby in the west.”

Franklin, who was a Super Rugby champion with the Highlanders in 2015, has re-committed to the Force after playing nine times having joined the Club in January.

The 33-year-old nine-cap Maori All-Blacks lock’s re-signing bolsters the side’s second-row stocks with Carter, captain Jeremy Williams, new signing Darcy Swain and youngster Lopeti Faifua already on the books.

Franklin won 23 lineouts in his nine games in 2024 including five steals, while he also completed 91 tackles and scored one try.

Franklin said: “I’m super stoked with the opportunity to re-sign back with the Force. Perth is a beautiful place to live and I loved my time with the team this year.

“We were close in a few games which we should’ve won, so with what we’re building, if we get those little things right, we can really push for finals which excites me.

“Crono and the coaches have done a great job getting the players connected and together so I cannot wait to get back to Perth, rip in and go again.”

Force general manager of rugby Chris Goodman was thrilled to see the forwards re-commit to the Club.

“It’s fantastic to have both Reed and Tom re-commit to the Club after both impressed in their maiden seasons in 2024 and we’re excited to see what they can add in terms of professionalism to our young group,” Goodman said.

“Reed was a revelation after joining on an injury cover contract, with his work-rate in defence and offence earning him the nickname from Crono of ‘concrete’ for how hard he is. He settled into the group quickly as a leader and we’re thrilled he’s settled into Perth life and re-committed.

“Tom was a really good addition in 2024, offering further depth and quality among our locks. He’s an excellent person to have around the group with his experience and leadership so we’re very happy to have him re-sign with the Force.”

https://westernforce.rugby/news/forw...-deals-2024718

[GIGS20]

OK, my cynical take on the way things have gone so far.

All of these players recommitting after a long period of silence can only mean one thing. Management have been keeping these contracts on holdto see whether we can get anybody better out of the demise of the Rebels.

Clearly we will sign not a single contracted Rebels player and, since the Brumbies have finished their contracting (by media reports) the rest will either sign with the Reds, the Tahs or overseas.

I know there waere press statements about us hoping to pick up a couple of options to improve competition for places so clearly, Rugby Australia has blocked any move that could have equalised the talent so they can make sure they have a string of Wallabies at the Tahs working out in the gym and wearing a suit on game day.

Fuck 'em, I hope we belt those entitled pricks

[Tazzmania]

I am absolutely stoked that Reed Princep has been signed.

For those of you that read my weekly match stats and comments probably realise he worked his way to become my favourite player and I am sure many more of you as well.

They are correct in saying workman like, with Tizzano and Stewart they were consistently had the best stats week in week out.

This signing is better than any Rebels player I would want.

NOTES:

1) Please note that contracting takes time and not only that a lot of it is done under NDA's until the marketing team can make best use of the "announcement", this is a business after all and us rusted on fans will be there always, they need to use contracting news to help bolster membership.

2) A personal peeve of mine is this constant playing "victim" to the signing of Rebels and other players. First we are not a top or finals team yet and Perth is not always the first option destination for a young rugby player that in all likleyhood has little to no friends and or family here, they will always choose to be closer to home first. That is just the reality of being the most isolated city in Australia.

[SteveWA]

and 3) we (of all teams given our history) have to stick to the salary cap so it isn't just a matter of opening the owner's cheque book