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The Emirates Western Force is forging a new path as the side builds towards the 2014 Super Rugby season with the signing of exciting inside centre Marcel Brache and promising tighthead prop Chris Heiberg from South Africa’s Western Province.
As the Force enters the second phase of its relaunch, the club is moving away from its reliance on the traditional east coast-based player pool with a renewed focus on developing alternate avenues for selecting players, including the local Perth competition.
RugbyWA CEO Mark Sinderberry says the new approach will expand the Australian rugby playing stocks.
“With four provinces fighting over the same players on the east coast, we’ll continue to think outside the square with regard to our recruitment,” he said.
“We’re implementing a rugby program with an intense focus on the on- and off-field development of our players that will be a destination of choice; players will come here knowing they will become better people as well as players.
“Marcel and Chris join our club as one of a number of recruitment initiatives we’re putting into place that will not only see us become self-sustainable but also help extend the list of players eligible for Wallaby selection.
“Developing our local player base remains a key focus with a view to seeing more and more Perth products progress through the player pathway to the Emirates Western Force. To that end we are very proud to have four local players – Kyle Godwin, Keiran Longbottom, Zack Holmes and Dane Haylett-Petty – in our squad in 2014, the most the club has boasted at any one time.
“I’d like to thank the Australian Rugby Union for their understanding of our unique situation in allowing the recruitment of players such as Chris and Marcel, and we’re excited about what they’ll bring to the team next season.”
Brache and Heiberg join flyhalf Sias Ebersohn and utility back Jayden Hayward as foreign developing players in the Force squad for 2014, while Emerging Springbok Wilhelm Steenkamp and Alby Mathewson are the club’s international marquee players.
Brache (signed until the end of 2015) and Heiberg (contracted to the end of 2016) join the Force as two of seven new recruits for next season, including Steenkamp, Haylett-Petty, Holmes, Wallabies outside back Luke Morahan and Brumbies scrumhalf Ian Prior.
Head Coach Michael Foley says the South African pair will bring further competition and depth to the developing Emirates Western Force outfit in 2014.
“The character displayed by the squad this season provides a good foundation,” he said. “This stands out off field in the way the players have held each other to higher standards and on field in the way they've played for each other. As with any new learnings, there are times where you come up short, but the players have remained undaunted in the face of those and other challenges.
“Earning respect through our standards and effort is our primary motivator and while we are beginning to understand the significance that approach has on our on-field performances, knowing we also have the respect of our people is of paramount importance.
“While Marcel and Chris have experience in the successful Western Province program, both come with a hunger and humility that will support us in our aspirations to earn respect.
“As a ball carrying prop, Chris makes an impact in the collision through power and skill, but most importantly possesses an aggressive mentality that stands out in every contest of the game.
“Marcel is tall and agile, which makes him equally adept in the one-on-one contests in the air and on the ground, and brings with him a strong background in provincial rugby.”
Marcel Brache, an American-born, South African-raised centre, has spent four seasons with the Cape Town-based provincial side, including as a member of the 2012 Currie Cup-winning squad that defeated the Natal Sharks, 25-18, in the final.
The 25-year-old, who moved from the US to Cape Town with his family at the age of four, rose to prominence at the University of Cape Town, representing the Ikey Tigers at outside centre in their 26-16 Varsity Cup final win over Tuks (University of Pretoria) in 2011.
He was recruited to Western Province the previous year where he made his first of 41 Currie Cup appearances for the province, including vice-captaining the side last year.
He has represented the Stormers on one occasion, making his Super Rugby debut in the side’s 27-17 win over the Lions in 2012.
Brache says he’s excited about continuing his rugby career in Western Australia.
“I’m extremely honoured and privileged to be given this opportunity to come across to develop my game with the Force,” he said. “I’m amped about the move and amped about the future that I’ll have in Perth.
“I’m excited about playing in another country and in a team with the stature of the Force and alongside the great players that they have – it’s an incredible opportunity.”
The ball-playing midfielder says he’s further motivated by the potential of the side for next year.
“There’s been considerable improvement in the Force this season,” he said. “What’s true to fact is that they’ve played with a will and a desire to have a go and play for each other. While results may not have gone the way the team would have liked, they’ve shown that when they put on the Force jersey they’re doing it for the teammate next to them.
“They’ve shown a strong desire to play the game for the full 80 minutes on a weekly basis and as a player joining the club, that’s something I aspire to do as well.”
Chris Heiberg will join the Force having been a part of the Stormers squad for their past two Super Rugby outings against the Reds and Kings.
Like Brache, the 28-year-old prop initially made his name with Ikeys, including as a member of the side that finished runner-up to Maties (Stellenbosch University) in their Varsity Cup final loss (17-14) in 2010.
Heiberg has been a regular starter for Western Province in the Vodacom Cup and was starting tighthead for the side that succumbed to eventual champions, the Golden Lions, in the semi-finals of this year’s competition.
The Cape Town-born front-rower says he’s looking forward to continuing his Super Rugby career with the Emirates Western Force.
“I’m really excited about joining the Force and I think it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made with my rugby,” he said.
“I’ve always been impressed with how the Force has played their rugby and they’ve had some good performances this season. It’s exciting to be going to a team where there’s a lot happening and where there’s a real focus on development which is excellent for my own game.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Michael Foley, who has developed some great structures and a very good program at the Force.
“I’ve enjoyed being involved with the Stormers and with Western Province but I felt the time was right to move on and have a change.
“And while I’ve never been to ‘Aussie’, Perth seems very similar to Cape Town – there are a lot of South Africans in Perth and I’m sure it’ll be like a home away from home.”
Heiberg says he’s eager to begin staking his claim for next year when he joins the side for the 2014 pre-season.
“There is a huge emphasis on scrummaging in the modern game and I think that’s definitely a strength of mine but it’s important that you’re able to tick all the boxes,” he said. “I need to be able to do my job at the scrum, rucks and lineouts but I’ll also be looking to add value through my ball-carrying and physicality as well.
“The Force has a very good forward pack and I’ll be looking to add value wherever I can. I know it’s not going to be easy and I’ll have to work bloody hard to earn my place.”
Profile
Name: Marcel Brache
Born: 15/10/1987, Los Angeles (USA)
Position: Centre
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 92kg
Super Rugby caps: 1
Super Rugby points: 0
Representative Rugby: 2012 Stormers, 2010-2013 Western Province
Name: Chris Heiberg
Born: 01/06/1985, Cape Town (RSA)
Position: Prop
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 115kg
Super Rugby caps: 0
Super Rugby points: 0
Representative Rugby: 2013 Stormers, 2013 Western Province
http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...2/Default.aspx
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
News has been circulating for some time now, great to finally have the contracts in place.
Welcome (Welkom) on board guys, it will be great to have them at the Force.
Even better news is the continuing reduction on relying on the Sydney based playing stock, last year a few NZ, this year a few SA's long may it continue.
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.”
But are foreign players any more likely to want to stay in Perth long term than the east coast ones? We need to build a core playing group who keep re-signing not have guys who blow in, decide they don't like Perth or miss home, and then blow out again.
Can't see how recruiting from SA (or NZ) stands us in any better stead than we are now.
Can someone prove me wrong?
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
i think the force are sick of being held ransom by east coast second rate players who are forcing them to pay overs because they miss there mums just to stay here.
These SA players know they are on a good thing by coming here both money and life style and will give there all to stay.
They players may not have much super rugby behind them but they do have a lot of Currie cup which is a whole lot better then the Shute Shield.
Look at Haywood, couldn’t really get a game in NZ came here by the end of the year he is a starter.
They are Squad players at best but got to give the Force props for thinking outside the box. If it doesn’t work we wont be any worse off then if we recruited some never was from Sydney
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
Good points Gaffa - thanks
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
Exchange rate.....how do the Rand and the NZ Dollar stack up these days?
The Saffer option is a long term one as long as we don't get the crap ones. We can afford to pay them more than they would ever get without playing for the Springboks, so anybody who is occupying that second level would jump at the chance to come to Australia on a permanent visa, work their way towards citizenship and put themselves in contention for an international jersey.
As for UnZud, it remains to be seen, Jayden Hayward would be a test case, will he run back to the shaky isles the instant he gets a contract? If that's a no then both options would be better than the eastern states dross we've seen in the last eight years.
C'mon the![]()
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I am in any way jealous of the income they earn they have abilities that very few people on the planet posses and they are paid according to market forces (if you agree with those market forces or not is another debate for another time).
That being said I have never got the 'I miss my mum' argument in professional sport. You are well paid for your work if you miss your mum and or dad fly them over a couple of times a year let them stay with you soon get you over the home sickness.
Better still if you are unattached avail yourself of one of the numerous attractive young Perth ladies who would make a fine wife to be and undoubtedly nice arm candy.
Having 2 foreign marquee players, 4 development players and 4 WA players in the squad next year does make it sound like they're opening up their recruitment options. Not an end in itself but it could mean interesting things in the future (in a good way).
From memory Hayden's missus is a Perth girl though. As such he may not be the best example.
“I’m excited about playing in another country and in a team with the stature of the Force and alongside the great players that they have – it’s an incredible opportunity.”
Marcel is over egging the pudding![]()
The long sobs of autumn's violins wound my heart with a monotonous languor
Or when you can't find one of them amongst the sea of stuck up girls in Perth - find yourself one of the crazy ones, or a girl who's issues have issues and strap yourself in for the ride!
Sometimes it's just nice to have fun!
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“While Marcel and Chris have experience in the successful Western Province program, both come with a hunger and humility that will support us in our aspirations to earn respect.
Take note JOC!
Asked a JHB friend of mine what he thought of these guys. He said he didn't know much about Heiberg but that Brache is "a fringe player, on the smallish side but tends to find gaps where he shouldn't"
Let's hope they both flourish as part of the EWF family :-))
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
Exchange rate about R10/$1, so definitely lucrative for any SA player to come here. Still will have to fork out about $500k/year to match what a top Bok will get.
Not sure if they all will be long term. As soon as they know they will become a Bok, they will go back. The only ones that will be long term prospects are the ones that will not make it as a Bok and then commit to become a Wallaby to play Int. Still a great pool of talent to go and look from.
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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?