2021 Force Squad - The List

[volvo]

It mentions a 37 man squad and I have 39 on the first page??

Ben Grant has gone to the Reds. Jake ball hasn't signed for anyone yet

[GIGS20]

Ben Grant has gone to the Reds. Jake ball hasn't signed for anyone yet

Jack hardy, just to bring him home

[volvo]

To get us away from politics - the launch of the new Western Force academy

Western Force Fortescue Academy Officially Launched
January 28, 2021
The Western Force is thrilled to announce the official launch of our Academy.

The ultimate aim of the Western Force Fortescue Academy is to ensure the club is the number one producer and nurturer of local rugby talent in the country, with the ambition for those within the program to become fully-fledged Western Force and Wallabies players.

Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) will continue its successful partnership with the club as a major partner. The multi-year deal includes exclusive naming rights for the newly formed Academy.

“As a proud Western Australian company, Fortescue is delighted to support the Western Force Fortescue Academy, providing a pathway for West Australians to reach the highest levels of the code,” Fortescue CEO Elizabeth Gaines said.

“Fortescue has a longstanding association with rugby in WA, supporting the efforts of volunteers and sportspeople who contribute to the strength, resilience and diversity of our communities through sport.”

The Academy will maintain a holistic approach, with a strong focus on player welfare to build self-reliant people who can handle themselves no matter where their journey takes them.

The program includes a personal development curriculum with a focus on leadership, effective goal setting, exercise science and nutrition.

Having risen through the ranks of WA rugby with Associates Rugby Club and the Western Force, proud local product and capped Wallaby Kyle Godwin, has been named as the Ambassador for the program.

“It’s an absolute privilege to play for my state and represent everyone in Western Australia every time I take to the field in a Force jersey,” he explained.

“I’ve seen first-hand how much the support of academies can have in forging a clear pathway to professional rugby, so I’m thrilled to see the dedicated Academy in action at the club.”

The Academy players have been training hard and learning valuable lessons alongside the pro team during pre-season, as the Force continue to prepare for the 2021 Super Rugby season.

Western Force Fortescue Academy Players

Wider Training Squad

Bo Abra
Victor Harris
Jackson Pugh
Ollie Callan
Grason Makara
Michael McDonald
Emerging Playing Squad

Dante Tatafu
Keenan Wentholt
Connor Seve
Faamanu Kalolo
Reece Anapu
Finn O’Callaghan
Luke Callan
Zantana Tupuono-Pomare
Alex Masibaka
Siosifa Amone
Western Force Fortescue Academy Staff

Anton Zackey (Academy High Performance Manager)
Dylan Parsons (Academy Head Coach)
Ben Glynn (Academy Strength and Conditioning)
Benjamin Pattenden (Academy Physio)
Pictured above (left to right): Michael McDonald, Tim Langmead (Fortescue Director Community, Environment and Government) and Kyle Godwin.
https://www.westernforce.com.au/west...AJ1X7uKxfiBx-U

[andrewg]

Have I got all of the normal positions correct for this young talent??

Dante Tatafu - Prop
Keenan Wentholt - Prop
Connor Seve - Lock
Faamanu Kalolo - BRow
Reece Anapu - SH
Finn O’Callaghan - Winger
Luke Callan - BRow
Zantana Tupuono-Pomare - BRow
Alex Masibaka - BRow
Siosifa Amone - Prop

[volvo]

https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2021/02/0...western-force/

Bo Abra signed for 2 years

[SlowCooked]

great video interview with him in that article

[SlowCooked]

Western Force eyeing former Wallabies second-rower Blake Enever after his release from Leicester Tigers

Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Tue, 9 February 2021 12:30PM

Blake Enever of the Vikings catches the ball from a lineout during the round 5 NRC match. Credit: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Western Force are interested in signing former Wallabies second-rower Blake Enever who has been released from English heavyweight Leicester Tigers.

Force coach Tim Sampson has made no secret that he is looking to add to his engine room stocks ahead of the Australian Super Rugby and trans-Tasman competitions.

Force head of rugby Matt Hodgson said: “We are currently looking at all options in the lock position.

“To bring home top-tier Australians to play for the Force and give more Australians the opportunity to play in our country is something that we are very keen on.”

Enever, a line-out specialist with a hard nosed physical presence, joined the ARU’s national academy in 2012 and signed with the Queensland Reds on a short-term contract to cover an injury crisis.

He made his only appearance against the Melbourne Rebels but kept his place in their extended squad the following year.

He moved to the Brumbies in 2015 and toured with the Wallabies two years later making the first of his two appearances against England.

He joined Leicester last year after 49 Super Rugby matches but made just six appearances in the English competition.

Tigers coach Steve Borthwick told the club website: “It hasn’t played out how we originally hoped with Blake.

“We thank Blake for his efforts while part of the club and wish him well in his next chapter.”

The Force are also talking with Welsh international second row Jake Ball who is returning to Perth to be reunited with his family.

Ball, who was in the 2012 Force extended squad, is leaving Welsh Pro14 club Scarlets when their season ends in March.

He could be available for the trans-Tasman competition.

The 197cm, 120kg Ball had shown an earlier interest in returning and the Force.

Ball, 29, played for Palmyra in the RugbyWA competition and left the Force for the Scarlets before making a Super appearance.

He moved from England with his family as a 16-year-old and qualified for Wales through his father’s heritage.

He made his Test debut in 2014, has 49 caps, played at two World Cups and has 121 appearances for the Scarlets.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/western...ng-b881791700z

Blake Enever or Jake Ball?? Can we have both?

[GIGS20]

At the risk of being told I'm spending twiggys money for him I'd say yes, both would be good, and I don't think either will force guys like Fergus out of a contract, ball will likely play a lot, but will also lift the young guys intensity just by his mere presence

[Tazzmania]

Jonah Placid has signed on for the year.

Unlikley to get a run but a good back up to have in case and will add to the contested training sessions.

Always friendly and good natured. Showed in the NRC that he does have some skill and vision, hopefully he has ovecome that aweful injury.

I am very pleased to see him remaining on with the club and being around the team.

[James]

Just looking over the squad and the academy. Looks like the priority recruiting areas for 2022 will be tighthead props, locks, fly-half and centres. I suspect a few locks from overseas will be looking to come back. It would be great to pick up Jake Ball for an extended contract and maybe look into an Arnold, Izaak Rodda or Adam Coleman. Not a lot of tightheads going around. Longbottom might have a final year in him but probably wouldn't be a starter. Greg Holmes will be 38 this year- can't see him doing another. Can't imagine Medrano staying around.

Lots of young fly-halves knocking about. Reesjan Pasitoa might make a good back-up to McIntyre if he could be lured over.

No bright ideas on centres. Be great if we could keep Kuridrani alongside Godwin.

Thoughts on who we'd like to pick up?

[.X.]

Just looking over the squad and the academy. Looks like the priority recruiting areas for 2022 will be tighthead props, locks, fly-half and centres. I suspect a few locks from overseas will be looking to come back. It would be great to pick up Jake Ball for an extended contract and maybe look into an Arnold, Izaak Rodda or Adam Coleman. Not a lot of tightheads going around. Longbottom might have a final year in him but probably wouldn't be a starter. Greg Holmes will be 38 this year- can't see him doing another. Can't imagine Medrano staying around.

Lots of young fly-halves knocking about. Reesjan Pasitoa might make a good back-up to McIntyre if he could be lured over.

No bright ideas on centres. Be great if we could keep Kuridrani alongside Godwin.

Thoughts on who we'd like to pick up?

Why do you think Medrano will leave?

[jargan83]

Do the Force have to comply with whatever Salary Cap/limitations are in place for Super Rugby?

I'd imagine once the the Global travel situation stabilises players like Medrano will potentially go to Europe or back to Argentina.

[AndyS]

That will be interesting. While the Force isn't being funded by RA, I can't see that they can reasonably impose salary restrictions. But once they are (next year, theoretically), I would imagine the same constraints will apply to all teams. However...if the Force was also playing GRR, that would presumably be a whole separate contract and payment. Seems to me there would be lots of games that could be played with a wider squad.

[GIGS20]

Fwiw I really want to see her back up and running with the force entering a development team

[James]

Why do you think Medrano will leave?

Tighthead props are a valuable commodity. I don't imagine we would be able to offer him the same kind of money he'd get in France. He might have other reasons to stay, but I wouldn't bank on it. That said, it would solve all our problems if he did stay.