Western Force v Hurricanes 19/04/2025

[Tazzmania]

Western Force skipper Jeremy Williams keen to avoid post-bye blues ahead of season-defining six weeks

Force skipper Jeremy Williams says his side are keen to avoid post-bye blues ahead of a season-defining last six weeks, starting with a Hurricanes blockbuster in Perth on Saturday.

Much of the Force squad made the most of the break by hitting the South West, Williams revealing he spent his time basking in the surrounds of Esperance.

But the captain was quickly back to business on Tuesday with his side out to consolidate their top-six credentials.....

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[Tazzmania]

Western Force captain Jeremy Williams spoke to reporters after the return to training following the bye ahead of the Round 10 clash with the Hurricanes.

PRESS CONFERENCE

[shasta]

So far only Moana have lost coming off the bye and that was before they found some mojo. I'll take that as a plus

[Tazzmania]

Western Force team list

Starting XV; Marley Pearce, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White (vc), Ben Donaldson, Bayley Kuenzle, Hamish Stewart, Sio Tomkinson, Harry Potter, Mac Grealy

Reserves; Nic Dolly, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Reed Prinsep (vc), Will Harris, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, George Poolman

[Tazzmania]

Kuenzle return headlines Force team for Hurricanes clash

Bayley Kuenzle will make his long-awaited return from injury in the Western Force starting line-up for Saturday’s important SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific game with the Hurricanes at HBF Park.....

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[Sheikh]

Interesting that Josh Smith has got the nod as the bench THP ahead of Ryan or Tiaan or even our other injury cover prop Tom Osbourne.

And Robertson ahead of IFL. Robertson has looked good when I seen him, but IFL has experience of closing out games, and I don't think we'll have a lead against the Hurricanes which would allow us to coast home - it'll be an 85 minute game!

[Tazzmania]

Ryan is a loosehead prop and Tom Osbourne also loosehead however he was in a shoulder sling at the Highlanders game.

I think Josh Smith is a good one for the future looks bigger and stronger than Tiaan and I think much younger so has a higher ceiling.

[shasta]

Bayley finishes the referred to interview stating his strong desire to return to the midfield. Some great depth to contend with there. The things I remember most about the times he has played there were his strong line breaks. Love to see him back to that form and off-loading to Peitsch, Grealy and the like. Go well!

Called into the Wallabies to ACL heartbreak:

As Bayley Kuenzle prepares to make his comeback for the Force on Saturday, the versatile back has opened up on his devastating knee injury that cruelled his hopes of playing for the Wallabies in 2024.......

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/04/1...ing-the-light/

[.X.]

Interesting that Josh Smith has got the nod as the bench THP ahead of Ryan or Tiaan or even our other injury cover prop Tom Osbourne.

And Robertson ahead of IFL. Robertson has looked good when I seen him, but IFL has experience of closing out games, and I don't think we'll have a lead against the Hurricanes which would allow us to coast home - it'll be an 85 minute game!

Just on IFL's experience in closing out games. Our last couple of matches I really wonder about IFL's ability to close out games. When Nic White is on the field (especially this year), it's like the whole team is one finally oiled machine. Everyone is singing the same tune from the same playbook. But, IFL comes on the field and he knows what he is doing - but everyone else is playing catch up and 2 steps behind. This is why IFL is doing so many darts out from the base of the ruck. And then he gets isolated.

[WFDom]

So if the ponies lose a low scoring game, Chiefs win, and we get the bonus point win.....

we go 3rd!

[andrewM]

I was hopeful at the start of the second half that Moana would get into the game, but sadly not to be..Having said that, If the Highlanders lose against the Chiefs and the Force win against the Hurricanes tonight it would be a two game buffer between 6th and 7th places on the ladder, so it will be a very handy game to win..

[andrewM]

Looks like there's a decent crowd building

[andrewM]

Cracker first half, both teams playing for keeps..

[todd4]

Nick White still on top of his game, he threw the pass for both of those tries.

[boof1050]

I'm away down south this weekend is Damon Murphy the ref?
Any score update?