Who is your pick for rookie of the year?
With the season now over who do we reckon will win rookie of the year.
For me it would be Richard Hardwick or Harry Scoble.
Found this list of debutants on Rugby WA website.
WESTERN FORCE 2016 DEBUTANTS
By Fraser Smith on Tue 19th July 16
Seven Western Force players made their Asteron Life Super Rugby debuts in the 2016 season with a number becoming regulars in the match day 23. The pathway for talented Western Australian players continues to grow with five members of the Perth Spirit squad debuting for the Western Force this season including two members of the Future Force Foundation.
Semisi Masirewa
Debut: Round One vs Melbourne Rebels
Caps: 15
In his maiden season of Super Rugby 24-year-old Fijian-flyer Semisi Masirewa established himself as a regular in the Western Force match day 23 playing in all 15 of the club’s matches including seven matches in the starting side. Masirewa looked comfortable from the beginning at Super Rugby level backing himself to use his rapid footwork and strong evasive skills to chip off valuable metres and create attacking opportunities for the Force. Averaging 40-minutes per match Masirewa ranked second in linebreaks and tackle busts for the Force this season behind Dane Haylett-Petty and will look to build upon his strong debut season in 2017.
Jermaine Ainsely
Debut: Round One vs Melbourne Rebels
Caps: 9
Jermaine Ainsley rose rapidly through the ranks of club rugby and the Perth Spirit to debut for the Western Force in the opening match of the season before going on to earn nine caps in his maiden Super Rugby season including his first career start against the Brumbies in Round Three. At just 20-years-old Ainsley found himself coming up against some the best and most experienced props in world rugby and the Nedlands front-rower held his own. A member of the extended playing squad in 2016 the ‘Sea of Blue’ can look forward to seeing plenty more of Ainsley after he turned down offers from the Chiefs and the Highlanders to sign a two year deal with the Force.
Harry Scoble
Debut: Round Nine vs Waratahs
Caps: 8
Tries: 2
Future Force Foundation hooker Harry Scoble was another player thrown in the deep end this season when the club’s hooking stocks were hit with injury. Scoble made his Super Rugby debut against the Waratahs at the ‘Force Field’ in Round Nine coming off the bench to score a try on debut off the back of a rolling maul. Injuries to Nathan Charles and Heath Tessmann saw Scoble given his first start the following week against the Bulls, a position he went on to hold for the rest of the season. ‘Rusty’ more than handled himself in his first season of Super Rugby attacking the breakdown and contact area with ferocity and will no doubt be hungry for more in 2017.
Anaru Rangi
Debut: Round 10 vs Bulls
Caps: 5
The Force’s injury crisis in the hooker position provided a golden opportunity to Nedlands and Perth Spirit hooker Anaru Rangi and the big man took the chance with both hands making his debut off the bench against the Bulls in Round 10 before going on to earn five caps in a whirlwind debut season. Not overawed by the opportunity to play Super Rugby Rangi used his 117kg frame to full advantage laying some massive tackles including three big hits in quick succession against the Brumbies in the final match of the season. Rangi will be keen to perform well again for the Spirit again this season as he looks to secure a contract for 2017.
Richard Hardwick
Debut: Round Six vs Highlanders
Caps: 4
Future Force Foundation backrower Richard ‘Dickie’ Hardwick came off the bench for his Super Rugby debut in Round 6 against the Highlanders in Dunedin and made a heroic try-saving tackle in closing stages of the match. Hardwick was forced to wait until Round 15 for his second cap against the Cheetahs before going on to earn a place in the starting side for the final two matches of the season. The 22-year-old UWA product carried and tackled with strength in his four caps including a Karma Resorts ‘Western Man of the Match’ performance against the Stormers. Hardwick will be keen to perform for the Perth Spirit with sights set on more Super Rugby in 2017.
Matt Philip
Debut: Round 15 vs Cheetahs
Caps: 3
Young lock Matt Philip was called into the Western Force squad in a training capacity from Sydney’s Shute Shield competition after injuries hit the club’s second row stocks before going on to make his Super Rugby debut against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. In his three appearances this season the 22-year-old has shown he has what it takes to compete at Super Rugby level with his ball carrying and strong work all over the park making a strong first impression. After getting a taste for Super Rugby Philip will ply his trade for Southland in the ITM Cup as he looks to push for a contract with the Western Force in 2017.
Ammon Matuauto
Debut: Round 10 vs Bulls
Caps: 1
After starring in the Pindan Premier Grade and with the Perth Spirit dynamic centre Ammon Matuauto was rewarded with Western Force contract in 2016 and after showing some strong form in the Pindan Premier Grade earned his first Super Rugby cap against the Bulls in Round 10. Matuauto put in a strong performance at outside centre on debut against the Bulls coming up against Springbok Jesse Kriel and will be keen put in a good showing for the Perth Spirit this coming season in order to push his case for further opportunities in 2017.
https://www.westernforce.com.au/arti...2016-debutants
