Burey is 24, Pasitoa is 21
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Burey is 24, Pasitoa is 21
I'd look to develop Poolman into a 15. Has height, and some experience at 10. Obviously, it's a long-term project.
It's crazy how things work out. Would Burey have even have got a shot if Strachan hadn't been smashed by Swinton?
Entirely possible now that Strachan might not get another contract. Especially if Donaldson comes over. :verysad:
Was thinking the same thing re whether Strachan will get another contract if Donaldson is signed and Poolman is considered a backup 15.
I very much hope Strachan gets a contract. I'd have him as our number 1 fullback when fit, since he has a better kicking and distribution game than Tiatia.
Donaldson will be announced today. I see him hopefully playing more at 15 than 10. Our kicking game has never been great so would be nice to have a big boot coming from the back
Well that's 3 very talented young 10's locked in until 25.
Don't think we've ever had such an embarrassment of riches in that position.... nice problems crew!
It appears Simon Cron has looked at our history in the position and noticed the curse.
Western Force can't have too many good 10s, because at least one of them will be unavailable at any given moment.
Wouldn't you love to see some of those opposed training sessions with the wunderkind trying to prove to the incumbent and the Wallaby that he deserves the start.
Added to that, Finesey taking on Nic for the 9.
I expect to see vast improvement from our existing stocks wholly because of the competition they've been given.
Now we need that to happen in the pack, where there are still some holes.
Campbell Parata as well if still retained. Any recent insights on him? What Club is he with?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkqfD8QsJm4&t=4s
Campbell was part of the WF WTG during the 2023 pre-season.
Campbell needed a shoulder recon about 3/4 of the way through the SRP season.
He was still aligned with Waneeroo at that time - but had played no games.
However, the last time I chatted with him was pre-surgery and he was intending to return to NZ for some family time during his rehab. Maybe returning through NPC in NZ (?).
He was enjoying the approach of the new WF coaching panel.
IMO he's heaps of potential and is still young (23yo).
I hope he recovers well.
I have no insights into 2024.
PS. We have only the single S/H (Doug Phillipson) and no F/H in the WF Academy.
PPS. I met 2 new additions for the 2024 Academy at the last home game. Both had high praise for the set-up. One a >2m Lock from Brisbane.
At 100kgs, I feel like Pasitoa might be a better fit at 12 longer term. He has the size/skillset/kicking game to be a great there. If Parata was sticking around, you could have Donaldson/Burey/Parata to cover 10 (with plenty of other back-up options). Unfortunatey, where do you then put a guy like Hamish Stewart, who has always given 110% at 12. Failing that, Donaldson might be better off having a run at 15. There are lots of promising 10s knocking about, but nobody has put their hand up to be a long-term Wallaby 15 yet. If you play a bigger centre in Samu, having a playmaking/kicking 15 takes the pressure off a bit. One of the things I noticed about Donaldson in previous years is that he is surprisingly fast when he wants to be.
I'd be very surprised if "Silk" hasn't already had his contract extended.
A fine young (26yo) bloke with a great skillset who fits very well into any team culture.
A tragedy that he copped the illegal high hit from Swinton and came under the extended concussion protocols.
At this stage I don't agree that he displaces TiaTia.