2024 Squad - Speculation Thread

[shasta]

One player in the squad who I've sort of lost track of is Campbell Parata. From the same GPS cohort as Pasitoa, but a different style 10, he was much hyped when he went to Tasman but seemingly didn't go on. Then we signed him to a full contract(?) last year and not heard much since.

[Tazzmania]

Had a long term serious injury last year.

He is only 23 years old.

In 2022 he played 7 games for Tasman in the NPC starting in four and collecting 36 points, also turned out for Wanneroo a few times that year as well.

Has a decent left foot kick and adds depth to the squad and in my opinion at this stage unlikley to be included in initial matchday 23's.

[Sheikh]

From what I recall chatting on the RWC tour, the coaches are still big on Parata. When he got his injury they realised he was lost for the season, so weren't pushing him to return early and aggravate it. He's still in the plans, but will have lost a year's progressing compared to the likes of Kuenzle and Pasitoa.
With Burey, Donaldson and Pasitoa as fellow 10s, Parata may find it easier to get game time at 12, as I think we're still a bit light on numbers for 11-15.

[Burgs]

...but will have lost a year's progressing ....

Hopefully his NPC experience may have minimised that.
Roll on an Australian NPC...

[shasta]

Parata may find it easier to get game time at 12, as I think we're still a bit light on numbers for 11-15.

From the little I saw of him in NPC and his GPS clips, he seemed to still have a good passing and kicking game. Pasitoa is more a runner possibly suited 12. Burey is our ace in the hole IMO. He has both and will be hard to displace.

[WFDom]

I missed this one before. Not sure if anyone else did

https://westernforce.rugby/news/forc...tment-20231130

[Kernow]

Happy to to see Cambell Parata upgraded to full contract, very suprised not to see Ronan Leahy.

Notable missing names:
Bo Abra
Winston Rebolo
Henry Robertson

Looks like Bo might not be returning for 24,

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8448039/wildfires-prop-bo-abra-eyes-super-rugby-contract/

[Burgs]

Looks like Bo might not be returning for 24,

https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/s...ugby-contract/

Shame as he is a good Clubman.
I can't open the article, but if he is patient I would chase the Brumbies, if not then the Reds.

[Tazzmania]

Shame as he is a good Clubman.
I can't open the article, but if he is patient I would chase the Brumbies, if not then the Reds.

This is a perfect example why you need the next tier level (NRC), he would be a perfect fit at that level. Better than club but just shy of super, GRR would have suited as well.

Came across as a great kid and seemed to fit in well, however he just appeared to be lacking a bit of size and stregnth to be able to kick on at a super rugby level.

[Burgs]

At 120kg and 24 years he was really only a "3rd year apprentice" in the Propping Fraternity.
Sadly someone else will be the beneficiary of all that groundwork.

[Burgs]

Canerra Times reporting Western Force make bid to sign Darcy Swain. Story behind a paywall

Brumbies rival launches audacious bid to poach star Wallaby
Cameron Mee
By Cameron Mee
Updated November 28 2023 - 8:36am, first published November 27 2023 - 11:00pm
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The Western Force have launched an audacious bid to poach ACT Brumbies lock Darcy Swain.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sto...k-darcy-swain/

Did this go any further? Can't see any other than the Canberra Times' single article.

[Tazzmania]

Did this go any further? Can't see any other than the Canberra Times' single article.

Nothing other than this article, however as he is signed to the Brumbies for 2024, it would only be a 2025 signing so it may still have some "legs".

Cameron Mee lists himself on Linked in as leading rugby journalist for Canberra Times and: "This senior role requires me to break stories relating to the ACT Brumbies and Wallabies and has seen me form relationships with a number of senior officials in Canberra and at Rugby Australia...."

So who knows

[andrewg]

One of very few players who on their day is undefendable': Force close in on former Wallabies wrecking ball

Six years after equalling the Australian record for the most tries in a single Super Rugby season, wrecking ball Taqele Naiyaravoro has made the first steps towards a return to the competition.

The Roar can reveal the giant winger is currently on a train-and-trial contact with the Western Force, with coach Simon Cron keen to add another weapon out wide before the season starts next month.

Naiyaravoro, 32, left Cron and the Waratahs at the end of the 2018 season to join Northampton Saints in the English Premiership.


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The wing we are missing ?

We have all seen what Naiyaravoro can do when he's on song but it appears that he's had fitness/injury issues since the 21/22 season with Northampton Saints.
His YouTube highlight reel gives a good reminder.
It was actually 22 tries from 71 games with the saints.
I can't find any stats for his time with the Green Lanterns.
The train-and-trial makes a lot of sense as, if fit, he could be the big winger replacement for Mataele.
You can see Taqele standing next to Cron in the Ben Donaldson video.
He's a big bloke.

[The InnFORCEr]

I've heard he needs to drop 20 -30kgs before they will officially sign him, and I'll back him in to get there.

That being the case only a hooker is required.

[Sheikh]

I've heard he needs to drop 20 -30kgs before they will officially sign him, and I'll back him in to get there.

That being the case only a hooker is required.

If he doesn't drop the weight, he'd be a reasonable shout as an emergency lock!