1
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
Interesting bit about all our new Argentinians in this
Western Force redemption continues as trans-Tasman Super Rugby tournament announced
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Fri, 13 November 2020 8:15AM
The Western Force resurrection continues as they join the new 2021 trans-Tasman Super Rugby tournament.
The Force will join Australia’s four other, and New Zealand’s five, Super sides in the new competition after finishing their domestic campaign.
The Force, controversially axed by Rugby Australia three years ago and saved by billionaire Andrew Forrest, will host the Chiefs and Highlanders in the opening two rounds before taking on the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Blues.
Meanwhile four of the five Argentinian players heading to the Force next season will line-up against the All Blacks in the Tri-Nations Test.
Hooker Julián Montoya and scrum-half Tomás Cubelli, who have already been confirmed, and prop Santiago Medrano and flanker Tomas Lezana, who are set to be announced are in the match-day squad.
Fly-half Santiago Iglesias, who is also expected to be announced shortly, is the only player to miss out.
The new crossover competition will see 26 games played over six weeks, kicking off on Friday May 14 with a final on Saturday June 19.
More here
https://thewest.com.au/sport/western...ng-b881720386z
I don't recall seeing Lezana's name in any Force announcements, but I'm assuming that Nick Taylor knows more about the squad comings and goings than I do.
Seems to be used as an 8, rather than a true flanker, but was the main Argentinian bench back-rower and at 1.88 m and 105 kg he should be able to play either role (almost identical stats to Stander!)
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon
Lezana is good value. Perfect for a 6 or 8.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
it is building into a strong squad,which it needs to be;whether they Gel,is going to be the question
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
Perhaps a policy similar to the IPL where local talent is part of the team set up .
Forrest has said repeatedly that he supports local rugby players coming through the ranks, and I presume that all of these new signings will also have the 350 hours of community rugby built into their contracts.
Having someone like Cubelli along to a local club, or hosting special training sessions for scrum-halfs open to any local player, would be pretty awesome (and that's speaking as someone who was most definitely wasn't a 9!)
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon