2025 Squad - The List

[Burgs]

Henry Roberston confirmed for 2025 and 2026 by the Western Force.

The Western Force are delighted to confirm that 2024 Rising Star winner Henry Robertson has penned a full Super Rugby contract with the Club on a two-year deal.

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Interesting with Henry R that last year I remember someone post match (I think Cron) saying he "was on a different type of contract" to do with match load, without elaborating, but appears this one is a full two year version. Also the first re-signing announced to be beyond 2025.
I really like him and think he will be a great asset and nicely set up to compete with IFL beyond White.

[Tazzmania]

Darcy Swain also to 2026

[Burgs]

Darcy Swain also to 2026

RE-signing

[Sheikh]

Interesting with Henry R that last year I remember someone post match (I think Cron) saying he "was on a different type of contract" to do with match load, without elaborating, but appears this one is a full two year version. Also the first re-signing announced to be beyond 2025.
I really like him and think he will be a great asset and nicely set up to compete with IFL beyond White.

I'm not sure if this was Henry R's position, but there used to be academy contracts which allowed you to play younger players a certain number of games before they became official signings.

[Burgs]

I'm not sure if this was Henry R's position, but there used to be academy contracts which allowed you to play younger players a certain number of games before they became official signings.

Yeah it was a bit strange as he was listed on their site as Men's Squad at the time (as in I went looking) not Academy and after 2 Caps that remains the case.
Though Leahy had 2 Caps also and remains in the Academy. In both instances a reflection of where they started the2024 season I assume.

[Burgs]

Updated to Pietsch 14/09.

[andrewg]

Grabbed this picture of the WF Instagram site.
Six WF players at a Rehab Session at North Cott Surf Club.
I think these are the only players being treated for more than just a "niggle"
They all appear to be coming on well.



Bayley Kuenzle - Knee (Really like the smile. Looking forward to his return next year)
Vaiolini Ekuasi (I think) - ?
Reesjan Pasitoa - Shoulder (looked good on Tuesday)
Kane Koteka - Hamstring (looked good on Tuesday)
Mitch Watts - Niggle (as put in a full training session with Sth Africa squad last Tuesday)
Atu Moli - Hips (Looked good on Tuesday)

I continue to be impressed by the rehab/recovery program at the WF as the young men and women appear to be looked after extremely well.

Correction: I've just been informed on G&GR that Vaiolini Ekuasi played for Auckland against Hawke's Bay in the NPC on 29 Sep.
Can anybody identify the player standing between Bayley and Reesjan in the photo above?

Addition: After a closer look, I reckon that it's Papillon Sevele.

[Tazzmania]

Sio Tomkinson confirmed for 2025

Huge signing, tough as nails player with great rugby IQ, our "Princep"of the backline.

" The Western Force are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced former Dragons and Highlanders midfielder Sio Tomkinson for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season...."

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[GIGS20]

The post about Mac Grealy signing made it to the 2023 list for some reason.

2 years, confirmed by WF

[volvo]

Coxon re-signs with Force after strong NPC campaign

The Western Force are delighted to welcome back loosehead prop Ryan Coxon for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Coxon played eight times for the Force in the 2024 season after joining the Club on the eve of the campaign as an injury replacement.

The 27-year-old front-rower brought an unrelenting game style and commitment, while he added to the team’s off-field culture with his positive attitude and affable nature.

Force 2025 Super Rugby Memberships are on sale NOW for seven home games from $170 per adult, while there’s FREE Junior Force Memberships for one child under 15 with a paying adult.

Coxon had departed the Force in June but re-joins fresh from winning Tasman Mako Defender of the Year in the 2024 NPC in his native New Zealand, scoring four tries across the season.

The prop brought up his 50th NPC cap for Tasman this season, while he previously represented New Zealand at the 2017 Under-20 World Championships and played Super Rugby with the Chiefs (2019-2020) and Crusaders (2018).

Force head coach Simon Cron said they were keen to lure back the popular Coxon to add depth to their loosehead prop options.

“Coxy really stepped up and played some good rugby for us last season,” Cron said.

“We’ve got to continue to push depth, especially in the front row, and he adds plenty alongside guys like Marley Pearce and Harry Hoopert who are on the rise.

“Coxy earned a lot of respect within the team last year and deserves to have another go. By keeping him here, we’re retaining some cohesion which is important given we’ve had a bit of change within the playing group.”

Coxon was thrilled to get back in the Force blue, having enjoyed his stint earlier in the season.

“I’m excited to get back playing in front of the Sea of Blue,” Coxon said.

“I’m fizzed to reconnect with the lads and build on last year and I can’t wait for pre-season in the Perth heat.”

Coxon is expected to arrive in Perth in mid-November to join Force pre-season ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Force 2025 Super Rugby Memberships are on sale NOW for seven home games from $170 per adult, while there’s FREE Junior Force Memberships for one child under 15 with a paying adult.

Ryan Coxon

DOB: 30/9/97

Birthplace: Hamilton, New Zealand

Height: 184cm

Position: Loosehead prop

Western Force (2024-, 8 Super Rugby games)

Chiefs (2019-2020, 6 Super Rugby games)

Crusaders (2018, 1 Super Rugby game)

Tasman Mako (2017- , 53 NPC games)
https://westernforce.rugby/news/coxo...paign-20241030

[shasta]

That for me is a most welcome re-signing. Admittedly I'm a bit biased with my evaluation of props, but he really impressed last year. He and Big Santi were fantastic performers, always punching out big minutes and not getting a lot of rest rotation due to the team's circumstances. Pretty good around the ground too for a bloke who looks like a prop should. I was pretty sad to see him go actually.

[Transiting]

Is he injury cover for Robertson?

[GIGS20]

That for me is a most welcome re-signing. Admittedly I'm a bit biased with my evaluation of props, but he really impressed last year. He and Big Santi were fantastic performers, always punching out big minutes and not getting a lot of rest rotation due to the team's circumstances. Pretty good around the ground too for a bloke who looks like a prop should. I was pretty sad to see him go actually.

Yeah, I think re-signing Ryan is a bit of a double-edged sword.

On the positive hand, he's proven, he did a good job in covering for injuries last year. He fitted into the team well and did the dirty work without acting like a primadonna.

On the negative hand, you'd think, in the current climate, with the entire Rebels' roster being available to other teams that there'd be SOMEBODY available in Australia who was better than those we had last year. As far as looseheads go, we've really not had that much of a change.

[Tazzmania]

Who's new at the Force? Recap of Force recruits for 2025 season

The Western Force will commence pre-season next week ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, with several new faces and an air of optimism among the group.

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[GIGS20]

You know what?

I've been a bit critical of our recruitment this round, what with all the Rebels superstars going to the Tahs and us left to pick over the rejects from the other squads, but seeing them all together I'm getting excited.

There are some real "moneyball" selections in there, with plenty of class to bulk us up in areas where we needed it.

Also, there's plenty of attitude to come. most of our high profile signings have been displaced from their prevous team by the shiny new toy and they'll have the WA chip on the shoulder which is necessary to become a genuine part of this culture.

There's also plenty to build out of the sugar rush that NSW are looking for which will take time to gel. We have made selections for the future to build a team.

I take a fair bit of my cynicism back. Yes we're still a bit skinny at THP, but we have some worthwhile cover for HJH and plenty of power at Hooker to help out.


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