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Thread: 2024 South Africa Spring Series Tour

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    2024 South Africa Spring Series Tour

    Force leadership group confirmed for three-game SA spring tour

    Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 5:45 PM
    Ben Somerford


    https://westernforce.rugby/news/forc...g-tour-2024917

    The leadership group for the Western Force’s upcoming Spring Series tour in South Africa has been confirmed with Reed Prinsep to captain the squad in Jeremy Williams’ absence.

    The Force are set to depart for South Africa on Wednesday 25 September for three games against the Cheetahs and Emerging Ireland in Bloemfontein as part of the Toyota Challenge, before a behind-closed-doors clash with the DHL WP XV in Stellenbosch.

    The tour is geared towards playing high-level opposition with international-quality players, alongside enhancing player and staff development.

    As part of that, the Club will explore different roles and offer development opportunities, with Force defence coach Eggleston to step in for Simon Cron as head coach.

    Experienced back-rower Prinsep will lead the side as skipper in the absence of regular captain Williams and vice-captain Nic White who are unavailable due to Wallabies duty.

    Prinsep, who previously played 71 Super Rugby games with the Hurricanes, impressed in his debut campaign for the Force in 2024 as the side’s leading forward for metres gained (220 from 82 carries) while he had the side’s third most tackles (164) across the season.

    Prinsep will be supported by 15-cap Wallaby Sam Carter and 2024 Rising Star winner Henry Robertson as vice-captains.

    Acting head coach Will Eggleston said: “Reed is a leader by actions. He’s got captaincy experience with Canterbury in the NPC and has played for the Maori All-Blacks and the Hurricanes.

    “He doesn’t say too much but when he does, people listen. He leads by doing and in South Africa we’ll need that.

    “He’ll be ably supported by our Rising Star winner Henry Robertson and former Wallaby Sam Carter.

    “Henry has shown great leadership capabilities at such a young age. Sam is a former Wallaby with big-game experience and touring experience. He’s a calm head and also leads by actions.”

    As part of the opportunities, strength and conditioning coach Rob Fowkes will lead the performance program, while physiotherapist Ben Pattenden will take charge of the medical staff.

    South Africa-born former Force prop Chris Heiberg will join as forwards coach for the tour. Heiberg is currently an assistant coach for the Force’s women’s side and RugbyWA’s Academy head coach.

    The travelling party will fly out of Perth on Wednesday 25 September. Stan Sport will stream the two Toyota Challenge games in Bloemfontein before the behind-closed-doors clash with the DHL WP XV in Stellenbosch.

    Prior to that, the Force will play Perth Gold in a warm-up game from 2:30pm WST on Saturday 21 September at UWA Sports Park (free entry).

    Western Force spring tour matches:

    Thursday 3 October, 1am WST: Cheetahs vs Western Force, Bloemfontein (Stan Sport)

    Sunday 6 October, 7pm WST: Emerging Ireland vs Western Force, Bloemfontein (Stan Sport)

    Saturday 12 October, 9pm WST: DHL WP XV vs Western Force, Stellenbosch (behind closed doors) (???)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Burgs View Post
    Force leadership group confirmed for three-game SA spring tour

    The travelling party will fly out of Perth on Wednesday 25 September. Stan Sport will stream the two Toyota Challenge games in Bloemfontein before the behind-closed-doors clash with the DHL WP XV in Stellenbosch.

    Prior to that, the Force will play Perth Gold in a warm-up game from 2:30pm WST on Saturday 21 September at UWA Sports Park (free entry).

    Western Force spring tour matches:

    Thursday 3 October, 1am WST: Cheetahs vs Western Force, Bloemfontein (Stan Sport)

    Sunday 6 October, 7pm WST: Emerging Ireland vs Western Force, Bloemfontein (Stan Sport)

    Saturday 12 October, 9pm WST: DHL WP XV vs Western Force, Stellenbosch (behind closed doors) (???)

    Wow that is good, wasn’t expecting Stan to pick up any of these games

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    Champion Contributor sandgroperrugby's Avatar
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    Mac Grealy listed, interesting!

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    Generally speaking you aren’t learning much if your lips are moving!!!

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    Senior Player chiraag's Avatar
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    Was about to say the same thing about Grealy and a few of thge other names, but found some more info here:
    https://westernforce.rugby/news/forc...s-tour-2024918

    Bayley Kuenzle (knee), Kane Koteka (hamstring), Reesjan Pasitoa (shoulder) and Atu Moli (hip) are all unavailable for selection

    Pasitoa injured again?! Disappointing Koteka is injured as well after being unavailable for so long

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    Champion Tazzmania's Avatar
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    Also very keen to see what ex Fiji u20 Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens can offer after a number of injuries and the one I really like is ex Highlanders and Dragons outside centre / wing Patelesio Tomkinson

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    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.”

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    Senior Player chiraag's Avatar
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    Interesting that Robbo's been listed as going on the tour, given that he's also been listed in the Wallabies Bledisloe squad as well...?

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    Will be interesting to see the use of Issak Fines-Leleiwasa with Henry Robertson nominated VC.
    IFL needing to re-prove himself or being given a bum kick, HR being given development time, both?
    Got to say, was very impressed by the body language of HR this season at training footage and running water, huddles etc.
    Seemed to be laser focused on the job at hand and wanting to absorb everything happening around him.
    IFL may be under some real pressure this year and, just as he sees daylight after Prior then White, "the new kid" emerges...

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    I understand leadership pathways and all respect to Will Eggleston, he's no doubt a fine individual, but are we really in a position as a Squad to not have our Head Coach taking this Tour?
    Fair enough if Cron is health/family, but if it is leave or just giving the generation a go???

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    Quote Originally Posted by Burgs View Post
    I understand leadership pathways and all respect to Will Eggleston, he's no doubt a fine individual, but are we really in a position as a Squad to not have our Head Coach taking this Tour?
    Fair enough if Cron is health/family, but if it is leave or just giving the generation a go???
    I suspect coaching development as there are not too many opportunities in Oz anymore without the NRC.

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    Quote Originally Posted by chiraag View Post
    Interesting that Robbo's been listed as going on the tour, given that he's also been listed in the Wallabies Bledisloe squad as well...?
    It does say he will join after his Wallabies commitments are over.

    As the 2nd Bledisloe is 28th Sept, he'd still be able to join for a Force tour that runs until 12th Oct, even if he is initially rested & only given game time in the 3rd, and possibly 2nd match of the series.

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    Quote Originally Posted by volvo View Post
    I suspect coaching development as there are not too many opportunities in Oz anymore without the NRC.
    Unfortunately, also not too many opportunities for a Head Coach to prepare for a 14 match season.
    As I say, I "get it" why they might, but I think our bigger priority right now coming off a 10th place is making every second count in player development rather than "nice to do" initiatives. This is core business for a Head Coach.

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    Quote Originally Posted by chiraag View Post
    Reesjan Pasitoa (shoulder) ...Pasitoa injured again?!
    Fair dinkum, this poor bugger must have kicked a black cat into a "Chinaman" standing under a ladder...

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    Honestly though, with no ill will against the guy at all, that is exactly why Australian rugby needs a proper NRC. Players get pulled into SR before it is clear whether they have what it takes, both physically and mentally. That is a big investment to make, not least because it excludes development of someone else. When someone gets a SR contract, there ought to be a reasonable expectation that they'll be seen on the field, and will be ready when needed. It does feel like Pasitoa has seldom ever been available, and he is far from the first player like that. A lot of them locals too, so perhaps preparation even through junior ranks is something that needs to be considered too - trying to do too much, too fast, because they are playing catch-up from the start?

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    Senior Player chiraag's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tjs10 View Post
    It does say he will join after his Wallabies commitments are over.
    Clearly didn't read the article very thoroughly - my bad!

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