0
A name (arguably because of its distinctiveness) that I have followed for a few years and, in my opinion, a seriously good "get" for the Force and return to Australia.Originally Posted by andrewg
Nick comes off a very solid three years for Castres, starting 91% of his 53 Caps and amassing 3,250 minutes at an average of 61 minutes.
Position by season-
2021/22- #6 = 9, #7 = 11, #8 = 1, #19/20 = 0. Total 21 Caps
2022/23- #6 = 6, #7 = 10, #8 = 1, #19/20 = 1. Total 17 Caps
2023/24- #6 = 4, #7 = 6, #8 = 0, #19/20 = 4. Total 14 Caps
2021-24- #6 = 19, #7 = 27, #8 = 2, #19/20 = 5. Total 53 Caps
This was from only back in early June where he cited the Rebels demise as being a factor for an Australia return being on the backburner- https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/n...-france/656230
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
I do still find it significant that the Force are required to repatriate players despite there being a glut of talent freed up by the demise of the Rebels, but at least they're bringing experience onboard.
Hopefully the tossers on SOB don't take the fact that he's not Tim Anstee count against him.,
C'mon the
Wow I was certain this guy was heading home to go to the tahs and they probably needed him more. Great pick up for us though
I really rate Anstee, but I think CdC has greater promise.
Same height, extra 6kg but playing regularly Openside so a similar motor.
Far far more XV's experience and three years of it in Top 14.
I think he will be being lined up for #6 for the Force, so starting to get a pretty good dogfight for starting jersey there with Harris, CdC and potentially Williams given Second Row stocks.
Would love to know any developments with Koteka (if original contract to 2025 will be honoured etc) to put pressure on incumbent Tizzano and hopefully a re-signing of Callan.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
We're out to a viable XV at least, but still short of a full match day Squad.
Some serious announcements needed soon to stop the nervousness...
1 Tom Robertson
2 Brandon Paega-Amosa
3 Harry Johnson-Holmes
4 Darcy Swain
5 Sam Carter
6 Nick Champion de Crespigny
7 Carlo Tizzano
8 Reed Prinsep
9 Nick White
10 Ben Donaldson
11 Harry Potter
12 Reesjan Pasitoa
13 Bailey Kuenzle
14 George Pooolman
15 Max Burey
16 Tom Horton
17 Marley Pearce
18 Harry Hoopert
19 Tom Franklin
20 Will Harris
21 Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa
22 ???
23 ???
"Spares"
Charles Hancock
Nick Dolly
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Jeremy Williams at 5?
Carter/Franklin from Bench
Or at 6
Nick Champion de Crespigny to be on bench to cover any of the backrow
Have restricted it to those who are confirmed Leo, but yes I would have Williams as a Lock able to cover the 6/8 in the back end of the match. He is a genuine 80 minute player now, just REALLY want to see his "signature" asap!
I'm teasing myself maybe there's a pile of signatures waiting to correspond with the Awards on Friday...
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Of course, I thought that with Stewart not being in there (yet, hopefully). In my head I had Williams signed from the link above that Volvo shared.
"The 33-year-old nine-cap Maori All-Blacks lock’s re-signing bolsters the side’s second-row stocks with Carter, captain Jeremy Williams, new signing Darcy Swain and youngster Lopeti Faifua already on the books"
So hopefully more good news soon
I like Potter at full back so we definitely need at least 2 more quality wingers. There are still some good ones around so hopefully we can get them.
Hopefully getting Pone and then guy porter or another 12/13 - where is Feluiai going from rebels?
Sadly Guy Porter has retired prematurely from rugby due to concussion issues
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.”
Yes, apparently he is now working in the finance sector in London.
Such a shame.
Was looking online just a few days ago for some insight, this is from yesterday and appears to confirm it Tazz-
https://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/...m?106,17524995
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Ahhh, thought the handle was familiar haha!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force centre Hamish Stewart re-signs with club as Divad Palu joins from Rebels
A key cog in the Western Force backline has put pen to paper on a new deal, with new fringe Wallaby Hamish Stewart re-committing to the club.
The inside centre mainstay went from strength to strength in his second season with the Force, and has signed a new contract with the side to tether him to the club.
It comes as the Force further added to their midfield stocks with the addition of Melbourne Rebels under-20 centre David Palu.
Stewart’s strong form for the Force earned him a call-up to Joe Schmidt’s maiden Wallabies squad to face Wales and Georgia and while he did not see the field, the 26 year-old retained his spot in the squad for their two Rugby Championship Tests against South Africa.
The former Queensland Red has scored three tries across two seasons, but has earned the trust of teammates and coaches with his tough-as-nails, no-nonsense defensive work.
He celebrated his 100th Super Rugby game in 2024 and he finished equal fourth in the league for tackles (180) while having a team-high 85 carries across the campaign and was third in Nathan Sharpe Medal voting.
20 year-old Palu joins the club from the now-defunct Rebels and was part of Australia’s under-20 Rugby Championship squad and has played alongside Force youngsters Ronan Leahy and Kauri Tipene-Grace.
Hamish Stewart during a Wallabies media opportunity. 2024 Getty Images
He lined up for Premier Rugby outfit Nedlands on Saturday after touching down in Perth.
Force coach Simon Cron was delighted to have Stewart and Palu on the books for the 2025 season.
“Having Hamish re-sign shows he’s really investing in the Western Force and WA rugby,” Cron said.
“I think he had one of the best seasons I’ve seen of Super Rugby this year. He’s tough, he’s strong, works really hard..
“The boys love him. He’s the kind of guy that leads by doing. He does a lot for us as a team.
“(Palu) has got really good feet and acceleration. He can be really explosive in our midfield in that 12 or 13 spot.
“He’s also young so he sits well in our age category in terms of bringing players over who can grow into long-term Force representatives.
“On top of that he’s an amazing person. The first day he landed in Perth he was at Nedlands training that night.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/western...els-c-15576129
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote