Force List 2023 speculation

[Tazzmania]

Apparently a similar line in Nick Taylor's story in The West today and that Scott Sio has had an offer from Exeter. It's behind the paywall but trying to get it

Meanwhile, Force hopes of signing former Brumbies and Wallabies prop Scott Sio have taken a blow after Exeter came in with a counter-offer.

They were hoping he would join on a one-year deal with a Wallabies top-up that would take him through to the World Cup.

They are waiting for an answer from homegrown Wallabies centre Curtis Rona who has left London Irish.

Rona, who has also had offer an offer from French club Vannes, played for Wanneroo, WA junior sides and joined the Force in 2016, making 14 appearances.

He moved to the Waratahs when the Force was axed before heading to London Irish three years ago.

[SlowCooked]

Western Force snap up young Waratahs scrum-half Henry Robertson, re-sign club stalwart Ian Prior

Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Wed, 27 July 2022 8:59AM

Western Force have signed promising young scrum-half Henry Robertson from the Waratahs for the next Super Rugby season, replacing local product Michael McDonald who has left for Ireland.

And they have confirmed that stalwart No.9 Ian Prior is back for another two years.

Robertson, 22, joined the Waratahs academy in 2018, played for Australian under-20s the following year and made his Super debut last season.

“I’m happy to be given the opportunity to get into a new environment to meet and work with new people,” Robertson said.

“I want to be playing consistent rugby at Super Rugby level. I’m aiming to take any opportunity to develop my game.”

Prior, who captained the club from 2018-2021, heads into his 10th campaign after making his 100th Force appearance and reaching a century of Super games last season.

“It’s an exciting new chapter for the club with the regeneration of the squad and coaching staff,” Prior said.

“I feel like I played some of my best rugby this year and still have the hunger to keep getting better.

“I’ll be looking to make sure everyone knows what we’re representing, what the jersey means to former players, the staff, our partners and our supporters.

“I’m looking forward to building on the legacy that those before us have built to ensure we’re making them proud.”

The pair will battle Issak Fines-Leleiwasa for the No.9 spot and rugby manager Matt Hodgson said the trio would bring a mix of youth and experience.

“Ian’s game management and leadership qualities have proven invaluable over the years,” Hodgson said.

“Henry brings a great understanding of the game and has the ability to play both instinctively and to control the game.”

Ireland-born McDonald turned down an offer to re-sign for the Force, and the chance to play for Australia A in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup, to ink a one-year deal for Ulster in the hope of winning Irish honours.

Meanwhile, Force hopes of signing former Brumbies and Wallabies prop Scott Sio have taken a blow after Exeter came in with a counter-offer.

They were hoping he would join on a one-year deal with a Wallabies top-up that would take him through to the World Cup.

They are waiting for an answer from homegrown Wallabies centre Curtis Rona who has left London Irish.

Rona, who has also had offer an offer from French club Vannes, played for Wanneroo, WA junior sides and joined the Force in 2016, making 14 appearances.

He moved to the Waratahs when the Force was axed before heading to London Irish three years ago.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/western...rior-c-7650969

[todd4]

Are we going to need a new 10 for next year?

A post on G&GR Force 2023 thread says Pasitoa has done his knee & will be out next season. ACL & MCL surgery next week.

Can't see any news reports about it. Anybody heard anything?


https://twitter.com/rugby_wrap/statu...Weq35YFq0qDlow

[James]

Bryce Hegarty I'd a reliable 10. Or maybe Campbell Parata is still with us. Failing that there is Poolman, Prior and Kuenzl who could fill the gap if things get desperate.

[Tazzmania]

Hegarty will be a reliable replacement, both Kuenzel and Poolman are more inside centres.

Campbell Parata is back with Tasman for the NPC not sure of long term plans, but we are now going to need a genuine 10 back up

[todd4]

Someone like Donaldson from the Tahs. Don't know if he's available but we would look a lot more attractive to someone like him if he knows he won't be sitting behind Pasitoa.

[Tazzmania]

Donaldson, Edmed and Harrison already locked in with contracts by the Tahs.

[todd4]

I imagine most specialist 10's are already locked in for next year. I hope Cron and Hodgo are able to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

[GAFFA]

throw a 1 year contract at Quade.

[tjs10]

Are we going to need a new 10 for next year?

A post on G&GR Force 2023 thread says Pasitoa has done his knee & will be out next season. ACL & MCL surgery next week.

Can't see any news reports about it. Anybody heard anything?


https://twitter.com/rugby_wrap/statu...Weq35YFq0qDlow

He was interviewed on Stan at halftime in the Perth Bayswater game this weekend. He was on crutches & confirmed he injured his ACL/MCL in a match the weekend before & will be having surgery this week. No indication of how long he will be out for though.

[todd4]

He was interviewed on Stan at halftime in the Perth Bayswater game this weekend. He was on crutches & confirmed he injured his ACL/MCL in a match the weekend before & will be having surgery this week. No indication of how long he will be out for though.

I was a bit surprised with that twitter feed saying he would be out all next season. I've had 2 partial knee replacements. The first was fully healed in 3 months and the second took a bit longer, but I'm in my 60's. I would expect a fit young man to heal faster than me.

I just googled ACL surgery recovery time:

Within the first few weeks after surgery, you should strive to regain a range of motion equal to that of your opposite knee. Recovery generally takes about nine months. It may take eight to 12 months or more before athletes can return to their sports.

I guess that confirms he's out for the entire season.

[shasta]

If the Twitter post is accurate, it seems he's ruptured the medial as well. So any thoughts of a speedy reahab would seem reckless.
This makes Rona more imperative. Probably Parata as well.

[tjs10]

I've just listened to the interview again & Reesjan says he has done his "ACL, MCL & a bit of my meniscus". Happened in the last 2 minutes of the game last weekend vs Neddies.
Surgery is "next Tuesday".

[GIGS20]

I've just listened to the interview again & Reesjan says he has done his "ACL, MCL & a bit of my meniscus". Happened in the last 2 minutes of the game last weekend vs Neddies.
Surgery is "next Tuesday".

Sounds like another way of saying his knee exploded and they're still looking for the pieces

[chiraag]

This is seriously depressing news. Might be more of the same struggles for penetration in the back line next year without a decent, creative, attacking 10 like Reesjan running it. A year on the sidelines also won't be great for his development.
Hopefully a good replacement can be found, as we don't really have enough firepower out wide to be competitive with only a serviceable 10 like Hegarty running the show.