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Tue, Feb 20, 2024, 11:55 AM
Ben Somerford
The Western Force today announces the 26 players selected for the 2024 Fortescue Academy including a dozen homegrown players.
General Manager of Academy Chris Goodman was delighted with the mix in the group and the quality of talent on offer with a view to becoming Force Super Rugby players in years to come.
“We’re thrilled to have a near 50-50 mix of local talent and those recruited from elsewhere, both the eastern states and overseas,” Goodman said.
“As a rule, we always want to fish in our own pond first, so it’s been fantastic to retain the best local talent.
“But it’s also been encouraging and exciting to start attracting the best talent from other programs for positions of need within the Force set-up. We’ve now got the resources and program to attract those players.
“That mix of talent is exciting for the Force, especially with the group coming through together, developing combinations and learning our way of playing together. That bodes well for the long-term future of the Club.”
Among the 26-member squad are 12 local players; Kauri Grace (Wests Scarborough), Caleb Karangaroa (Wanneroo), Justin Landman (Associates), Jhy Legg (Wests Scarborough), Ryan McGloin (Joondalup), Oakley Pearce (Joondalup) Dane Sawers (Kalamunda), Max Sawers (Kalamunda), Manaia TeTana (Wanneroo), Cristiano Tizzano (UWA), Tiam Toufan (UWA), Billy Turnbull (Cottesloe).
Six months ago, Joondalup Brothers prop Marley Pearce graduated out of the Academy into a full Force contract having had a breakthrough 2023 Super Rugby season following his debut. George Poolman and Siosifa Amone are other recent Fortescue Academy graduates.
Wing Ronan Leahy has had recent opportunities with the Force’s Super Rugby side, scoring tries in both of the Club’s pre-season trial games, having travelled to South Africa for the Toyota Challenge.
Goodman added: “Led by Simon Cron and his coaching staff, it’s been fantastic to see genuine connection between the Super Rugby squad and our Academy squad.
“There have been opportunities to train together and be exposed to the coaches, as Ronan’s example shows. It shows a unified Club pulling in one direction.”
2024 Fortescue Academy Squad
Albert Alcock, Lipina Ata, Billy Browne, Boston Fakafanua, Kauri Grace, Henry James, Caleb Karangaroa, Justin Landman, Ronan Leahy, Jhy Legg, Ollie McGinnity, Ryan McGloin, Oakley Pearce, AJ Preketes, Doug Phillipson, Finn Prass, Wilton Rebolo, Dane Sawers, Max Sawers, HD Stemmet, Manaia TeTana, Cristiano Tizzano, Tiam Toufan, Billy Turnbull, Mitch Watts, Angus Websdale
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Does anyone know the Ollie McGinnity story.
Same bloke?
Hopefully someone has greater knowledge.
Warrior article 2022-
A third Warriors Under-18s player, lock Ollie McGinnity (Warwick School and Silhillians), has also received international
recognition having been called up by Wales Under-18s for a collaborative pilot programme alongside Scotland and Italy.
2023- England U18
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Congratulations to the following for making the Australian u20 preliminary squad:
Force
Boston Fakafanua
Ronan Leahy
Douglas Philipson
Dane Sawers
Kauri Tipene-Grace
Simon Cron: “People talk about winning and losing all the time and they are critical, but there’s a process to get into and it’s the ability to stay present, do your job and execute skills under pressure.”
Australia U20s confirm preliminary squad for Rugby Championships U20s
Tue, Apr 16, 2024, 3:30 PM
Nathan Williamson
Australia U20s coach Nathan Grey has confirmed a 35-player preliminary squad ahead of the inaugural U20s Rugby Championship.
The group will assemble next week in Kangaroo Valley, before being cut down to 31 ahead of May's event.
Recent NSW Waratahs debutant Jack Barrett headlines the inclusions as the squad builds towards July's U20 World Championships.
Barrett made his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Rebels in round six, coming in as a late replacement for Wallaby Angus Bell.
The ACT Brumbies enjoy the most representation, with ten players selected from the nation's capital.
It comes after they claimed the Super Rugby 19s title with a 20-12 win over the Waratahs.
Flyhalf Cullen Gray, centre Jarrah McLeod, props Tevita Alatini and Lington Ieli and fullback Shane Wilcox are amongst several players that have featured for Brumbies Runners in 2024.
Meanwhile, Barrett is joined by Sevens development player and fellow Waratah Aden Ekanyake.
Ekanyake captained Australian Schools & U18s in the opening clash against New Zealand last year before linking up with John Manenti's wider squad for 2023-24.
They are two of nine Waratahs included in the squad, including winger Archie Saunders and flanker Austin Durbidge.
There are six Queenslanders in the squad, headlined by Reds squad member Frankie Goldsbrough, with Force flyer Rohan Leahy one of five from the west.
Rebels backrower Judiah Saumaisue has also been named, having represented Fiji at last year's U20 World Championships.
He is joined by Ottavio Tuipulotu, brother of Waratah Mosese and Scotland's Sione, alongside Divad Palu and Joey Fowler.
The Australians will open their U20 campaign against Argentina on May 2 before facing South Africa (May 7) and New Zealand (May 12)
Australia U20s preliminary TRC squad
Brumbies
Tevita Alatini
Drew Brndusic
Harvey Cordukes
Cullen Gray
Jack Harley
Lington Ieli
Jarrah McLeod
Toby Macpherson
Angus Staniforth
Shane Wilcox
Rebels
Joey Fowler
Divad Palu
Judah Saumaisue
Ottavio Tuipulotu
Force
Boston Fakafanua
Ronan Leahy
Douglas Philipson
Dane Sawers
Kauri Tipene-Grace
Reds
Ollie Barrett
Nick Bloomfield
Ben Daniels
Frankie Goldsbrough
Joe Liddy
Will McCulloch
Xavier Rubens
Waratahs
Jack Barrett
Ben Di Staso
Austin Durbridge
Bryn Edwards
Aden Ekanayake
Olli McCrea
Archie Saunders
Hwi Sharples
Nathaniel Tiitii
I'm guessing it's a long time (aka ever?) since the Tahs hasn't had the most selected?
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.