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The Western Force will celebrate its 10th season in Asteron Life Super Rugby by returning one of the club’s favourite sons, Tai McIsaac, to its coaching staff for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons.
The former Wallaby rake, who played 52 consecutive matches for the Force between 2006 and 2009, will return to take up a key coaching role, along with Dwayne Nestor, in the club’s pioneering full-time academy programme, the Future Force, while consulting to the Western Force senior side as a Lineout Consultant.
The return of McIsaac is a reflection on the club’s focus on further growth in 2015, while his ability to provide specialist coaching to the senior squad, provide elite level coaching to the state’s aspiring rugby players and contribute to the talent identification outside of Western Australia will play a key role within the RugbyWA/Western Force rugby programme.
McIsaac, who was the first player to reach 50 caps for the Western Force, joins a Western Force on-field coaching staff that features Michael Foley (Head Coach), Dave Wessels (Senior Assistant Coach), Kevin Foote (Backs/Attack Coach) and Nestor (Kicking & Skills Coach).
The 39-year-old, who has most recently coached at Japanese clubs, Honda Heat and Toyota Industry Shuttles, says he is keen to again be a part of the club he is so passionate about.
“This is a very exciting time to be returning to the Force and I’m honoured to have been provided with this opportunity leading into the club’s 10th season,” he said.
“I had a fantastic time in Japan and I learnt a lot, but this is a particularly exciting time to come back and be involved with the club. Having followed the Force since I’ve been away, this team’s performances were characterised by a determination to play for one another, which is such a cornerstone for any successful side.
“Having spoken to a number of people around the club, it’s inspiring to see the high standards this current group expects of themselves, and that was clearly evident in their performances this year.
“I’ve got a great deal of respect for what Foles, Dave, Kevin and Dwayne have achieved at the club, and to be honest, I cannot wait to be involved with the Force again. My wife Penny and I absolutely loved our time in Perth before, and we’re very excited to be returning with our young family again.”
McIsaac says he’s very keen to be involved with developing the Force’s stars of tomorrow through the Future Force programme.
“It’s very exciting to be a part of the first academy of its kind in Australia,” he said.
“Mickey [Arthur] and Dwayne have put a lot of work into establishing this very professional programme and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to bring through the next generation of Western Force players.
“It’s terrific for the club to be thinking outside the square to bolster the playing ranks in WA, and particularly pleasing to see an emphasis placed on producing quality people, as well as players through this programme.”
Western Force Head Coach, Michael Foley says McIsaac is a key addition to the coaching staff.
“It’s great to have Tai back at the club,” he said. “Having coached and known Tai over a number years, he’s an outstanding team man. He’s very humble and hard-working, he’s passionate about the Force and earning respect means a great deal to him.
“Getting quality ball from set piece provides an integral platform from which to play, and having Tai focusing on our lineout will help us develop that area of our game further.”
The Western Force will commence pre-season training on Monday, 1 December.
Click here to make a tax deductible donation to the Future Force Foundation through the Australian Sports Foundation.
Profile
Name: Tai McIsaac
Born: 19/3/1975, Brisbane
Position: Hooker
Super Rugby caps: 69 (17 Reds, 52 Force)
Super Rugby points: 0
Super Rugby debut: 2003 (Reds) v Crusaders, Christchurch
Test caps: 8
Test points: 0
Test debut: 2006 v England, Sydney
Representative Rugby: 2006-2009 Western Force, 2006 Wallabies, 2003-2008 Australia A, 2003-2005 Queensland Reds
Coaching Career: 2011-2014 Toyota Industry Shuttles (Japan), 2009-2010 Honda Heat (Japan)
- See more at: http://www.westernforce.com.au/artic....lVXKbviV.dpuf
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Like! A LOT!!
Amazing news!
C'mon the![]()
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Was on the cards for last season, not sure why he was delayed, but is fantastic news regardless, bring on The Taipan![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Fantastic News! Welcome home Tai!
Excellent news!
What is the bit aboutIs that Dwayne Nestor? Was he renowned for his kicking at some stage? Did he even kick for his club when playing?...joins a Western Force on-field coaching staff that features Michael Foley (Head Coach), Dave Wessels (Senior Assistant Coach), Kevin Foote (Backs/Attack Coach) and Nestor (Kicking & Skills Coach).
Great news! We already have a great scrum but with Tai's coaching we could end up the best! With our backs getting the ball of a stable platform the sky's the limit!
May the FORCE be with you!
Quick! Get him into the Wallaby front row!!!
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
Welcome Home Tai! Some good news after a horrific couple of days! The sky is blue, the beer is cold, bring it on!
Good to see on of the old boys returning to assist in coaching and bringing on the new boys!
An old Westie boy returns to the fold
Wests Scarborough 1st Grade juggernaut has played finals rugby each and every year since its inception and continues this remarkable feat yet again this season and unbelievably it's still rolling on and as an added little circle jerk for the masses Wests actually hold the record for the current longest unbroken finals record.
Yay, have been hoping for this for a while. Welcome back Tai and family!!![]()