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Thread: 2025 Squad - Speculation Thread

  1. #391
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    Some good Proctor highlights in the Force X post, linked on the bottom of the TWF front page.

    Am hopeful of it being a great signing, but we get an over-30 Test-ineligible player in a year of "re-distribution" of Australia's talent.

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  2. #392
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    We possibly only need Proctor as a starting outside centre for 2025, as I am hoping as the season progresses Divad Palu gets more and more game time.

    I only saw him at one club level game this year but really liked what I saw and if correctly managed next year, he will turn out to be a very astute get.

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  3. #393
    Immortal Contributor GIGS20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kernow View Post
    I think Strachan is a stretch having not re-signed him. I don’t think he played again for the force after that HIA against the Tahs. He had some pace about him but not a big body at pace.
    You need people to push the ones who are starting and we are currently pretty thin at fullback Potter (who might be better on the wing) and Burey followed by not a great deal with Super experience.

    Beggars can't be choosers when RA is pulling out all the stops to make sure you have a second rate team. (and RA control the contracts)

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  4. #394
    Senior Player chiraag's Avatar
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    Fingers crossed we'll finally have Reesjan fit next year, in which case we'd probably want him at 15, with Potter on the wing.

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  5. #395
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    The Squads in the two threads should be the same now.

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  6. #396
    Immortal Contributor GIGS20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chiraag View Post
    Fingers crossed we'll finally have Reesjan fit next year, in which case we'd probably want him at 15, with Potter on the wing.
    I remember Crono saying he needs to work on his kicking in general play, if that work hasn't been done I wouldn't expect him at 15, if it has, he might go closer to the action (but not many holes in 10-12 so maybe not)

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  7. #397
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    Quote Originally Posted by GIGS20 View Post
    I remember Crono saying he needs to work on his kicking in general play, if that work hasn't been done I wouldn't expect him at 15, if it has, he might go closer to the action (but not many holes in 10-12 so maybe not)
    Game time is more important than position for young blokes. We played O'Connor as a full-back in his first year and he moved into 12 by the end of the season. He then got picked as a wing for the Wallabies before again moving closer to the action. Although (controversies aside) he may have actually suffered from being too versatile as he never seemed to lock down one spot and become world class in it.

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  8. #398
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    Quote Originally Posted by chiraag View Post
    Fingers crossed we'll finally have Reesjan fit next year, in which case we'd probably want him at 15, with Potter on the wing.
    For lack of hearing otherwise (that I can recall at least) pretty sure he got through a full season with Baysie and was playing #15?

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  9. #399
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sheikh View Post
    Game time is more important than position for young blokes. We played O'Connor as a full-back in his first year and he moved into 12 by the end of the season. He then got picked as a wing for the Wallabies before again moving closer to the action. Although (controversies aside) he may have actually suffered from being too versatile as he never seemed to lock down one spot and become world class in it.
    I do think it is a bit of a modern issue of becoming too much a single position player, particularly in the Centre's and #10 v #15.
    We all recall the great Larkham transition from the #15 to the #10.
    If you look at Paisami, at Wallabies he either starts or isn't selected.
    It would be very hard to see him in #22/23 as he isn't versatile enough.
    I would like to see some minutes of #12 Stewart, #13 Paisami though.
    A bit stronger tackling and passing in close, moving the penetration out a little wider.

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  10. #400
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    Wallabies wing Pietsch signs with Force in backline boost
    Sat, Sep 14, 2024, 10:12 AM
    by Ben Somerford

    The Western Force are thrilled to announce the signing of exciting Wallabies wing Dylan Pietsch from the NSW Waratahs on a multi-year contract.

    The 26-year-old will join the Force after a strong 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with the Tahs where his four tries in 12 appearances led to his Wallabies debut against Wales in July.

    Pietsch, who is a proud Wiradjuri man, will join the Force in November for pre-season ahead of the 2025 campaign.

    The speedy and skillful ball-running wing debuted for the Tahs in 2022 and has scored 14 tries in 38 games across three seasons. Pietsch’s pace is underlined by the fact he represented Australia’s in rugby sevens at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

    The wing said he was excited about the move west, where he believes he can play his best rugby in a top-class environment and bolster his international ambitions.

    Pietsch said: “I feel like the Western Force are on the up at the moment and I’m really excited to play my part in it.

    “The Force play a fast style of rugby where they like to move the ball which suits me. I believe that can bring out my strengths with carrying and ball-running on the edges.

    “My Wallabies ambition is a big thing too. Now I’ve had a taste of international rugby, I want to play consistent footy and I feel I can play my best footy with the Force. I feel this move can help propel me forward.”

    Pietsch is familiar with plenty of his new teammates from his time at the Waratahs which will help him settle into the new environment quickly.

    “I’m really excited to play with a good group of boys,” he said. “I room with Donno (Ben Donaldson) on every Wallabies tour. I know a fair of them, Jeremy Williams, Will Harris, Tom Horton and many more.

    “It’s good to have those relationships going into a new team, it makes the transition a lot easier.”

    The wing’s signing is a boost to the Force’s backline following the recruitment of former All Blacks midfielder Matt Proctor and dynamic back Divad Palu from the Melbourne Rebels, with Force head coach Simon Cron thrilled to secure his signature.

    Cron said: “He’s a genuine winger, who brings pace and power out wide. He also has a really driven personality type that will fit in really well with our group.

    “The best players have that inner drive and he definitely has it, so we’re excited about getting Dylan over after his Wallabies duties.

    “For us, it’s really important we get depth in the back three as it will only help others in the squad to develop and get better.”

    This off-season, the Force have also added international-capped players Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Nic Dolly, Proctor and Darcy Swain along with emerging forward Josh Thompson and back-rowers Vaiolini Ekuasi and Nick Champion de Crespigny.

    Cron added that he was delighted the Force were able to lure west another high-quality player.

    “Over the past few years, he’s been a standout performer at Super Rugby level and he’s been a regular in Wallabies squads,” Cron said.

    “In talking with him, he’s excited about coming over to the Force and we are really looking forward to having him and his partner Ella arrive in Western Australia.”

    2025 Force Memberships are due to go on sale in October at westernforce.rugby.

    Dylan Pietsch

    23/04/1998

    Wing

    187cm

    NSW Waratahs (2021-2024, 38 caps, 14 tries)

    Wallabies (2024-, 2 caps)

    Australia A (2022-, 4 caps, 3 tries)
    https://westernforce.rugby/news/dyla...ZjgmLaJ8crrlPQ

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  11. #401
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    Great news. Good for all if you ask me.

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  12. #402
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    Starting to look much stronger now, need at least another prop and winger (would like to see potter at FB) and then build depth around that but I think we are already stronger than 2024 with a few more internationals now.

    1. Robertson
    2. BPA
    3. HJH
    4. swain
    5. Williams
    6. Champion De Crespigny
    7. Tizzano
    8. Ekuasi
    9. White
    10. Donaldson
    11. Pietsch
    12. Stewart
    13. Proctor
    14. Potter
    15. Burey

    16. Dolly/Horton
    17. Hoopert
    18. Pearce
    19. Carter/Thompson
    20. Harris / Princep
    21. IFL
    22. Pasitoa
    23. Palu

    - Kuenzle (injured)

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  13. #403
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    Similar I guess, a bit tricky to be otherwise without depth.

    Williams is the only one I've used that is taking the inside word on, still waiting for public confirmation.
    I'm trusting that Harris has got last year out of his system and will be back on to his potential capacity.
    I have gone for Princep on tackling and NCdC having better coverage of 6-7-8 and more agile as the field opens up on tiring legs.
    I think, if fit, Pasitoa needs to be starting now or be lost to being a historical footnote. He's been playing in the #15 and could easily play the second phase playmaker style of FB. With Stewart at 12, this would provide three options on ball distribution in phase play.

    1 Tom Robertson
    2 Brandon Paega-Amosa
    3 Harry Johnson-Holmes
    4 Jeremy Williams
    5 Darcy Swain
    6 Will Harris
    7 Carlo Tizzano
    8 Reed Prinsep
    9 Nick White
    10 Ben Donaldson
    11 Dylan Pietsch
    12 Hamish Stewart
    13 Matt Proctor
    14 Harry Potter
    15 Reesjan Pasitoa

    16 Tom Horton
    17 Marley Pearce
    18 Harry Hoopert
    19 Sam Carter
    20 Nick Champion de Crespigny
    21 Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa
    22 Divad Palu
    23 Max Burey

    Definitely still needing some crucial positional depth, only 5 players not included here and only 2 (Dolly and Robertson H) genuine SR standard.
    There are at least three Academy likely to either get upgraded or see as much time as permitted.

    Was watching Canada v Tonga last night and was quite impressed by the Tonga #11, John Tapueluelu. It appears he is currently just playing Club level in Tonga, having 3 Test Caps and alternating between Otago and North Harbour since 2021 for 9 NPC outings.
    A good hard hitting runner with some genuine gas. He is 28, some question marks there, but that may bring loyalty to a SR giving a lifeline.

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  14. #404
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    Any intel on Basi and Bami Malesu?
    I see both ran out for Soaks in the Final.
    Hopefully see them in the Squad to SA, would be a good "African interest story" if nothing else.

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  15. #405
    Champion Contributor todd4's Avatar
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    There is still the rumour that Mac Grealy will be coming over from the Reds, this will provide some depth in the back three. Agree about needing to fit Pasitoa in somewhere. Vaiolini Ekuasi is a big unit and will probably force his way into the backrow as time goes on.

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