Damn good question :approve:
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It would be nice to have some signings news to balance out the goings...
First singing:yeah:
From France to the Force
July 12, 2019
The Western Force is excited to announce the arrival of young gun Jonah Placid who returns to Australia after a two-year stint with French Top 14 club Toulon.
The 24-year-old fullback is part of a rare group of players who have been called-up to represent Australia in the U20’s World Championship for three consecutive years before graduating into the Super Rugby ranks.
Placid developed his game in Queensland before being swooped on by the Melbourne Rebels where he became the club’s youngest player in 2015. He spent three seasons with the Rebels before heading to France and linking up with Toulon.
Placid met his new team-mates and joined training today, less than 24 hours after jetting into Perth from Europe. While understandably still recovering from the long flight, he said it was great to get onto the field and start to build his chemistry with the team.
“I remember playing against the Force and the tough battle they always put up. It’s really good to be on this side of the fence now,” Placid said.
“I can’t wait to try Rapid Rugby, a fast game is a good game.”
Head Coach Tim Sampson is eager to try out the versatile outside back, calling him an “exciting player to watch.”
“Jonah, at just 24-years of age, has a significant amount of experience behind him having played Australian U20’s, then getting picked up by the Rebels and then Toulon,” Sampson said.
“He was keen to get back into Australian rugby and our strong professional program here in Western Australia appealed to him.
“I have coached Jonah previously and he is a player who can light up a game. He has natural ability and great instinct, is dynamic and strong in the contact areas. He has a pretty solid all-round game,” Sampson added.
Placid is in line to make his Western Force debut in the final match of the 2019 Global Rapid Rugby Showcase Series on August 9 against Malaysia Valke at HBF Park. The match is part of a huge weekend of rugby in Perth, being played less than 24 hours before the Wallabies and All Blacks go head to head in the first-ever Bledisloe Cup clash to be played in Western Australia.
https://www.westernforce.com.au/from-france-the-force/
Great stuff been hanging out for news of next year!!
Fantastic! I remember he was always a strong player at the Rebs.
Looks like he hasn't played much rugby in France, though: http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_28832.html
Western Force nail French recruit Jonah Placid
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Saturday, 13 July 2019 12:59PM
Nick Taylor
Jonah Placid.
Jonah Placid.
Western Force have brought former Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels outside back Jonah Placid back to Australia after a stint in French rugby.
The 24-year-old, who spent two years with Top 14 heavyweight club Toulon, is expected to make his debut when the Force clash with the Malaysian-based, South African Currie Cup Valke side in the final Global Rapid Rugby showcase series game of the year.
The match will be played on Friday August 9 with the Bledisloe Cup Test at Optus Stadium the following day.
Placid played in three junior world cups for Australia and after a year with the Reds moved to Melbourne in 2015 where became the club's youngest player to make his Super Rugby debut.
After three seasons he moved to Toulon and had offers to stay in France before signing his deal with the Force.
Placid said he first goal was to get more game time than the limited minutes he had been given at Toulon.
“I can’t wait to try Rapid Rugby, a fast game is a good game," he said.
Coach Tim Sampson said Placid was an exciting addition to his squad.
“Jonah, at just 24-years of age, has a significant amount of experience behind him,” Sampson said.
“I have coached Jonah previously and he is a player who can light up a game.
"He has natural ability and great instinct, is dynamic and strong in the contact areas. He has a pretty solid all-round game.
“He was keen to get back into Australian rugby and our strong professional program appealed to him."
Samspon has been on the hunt for outside backs having lost Fijian 7s Olympic gold medallist Masivesi Dakuwaqa to Toulon and local product Clay Uyen to another French club, Valence Romans.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/western...ng-b881259127z
Nick Taylor saying lost Fijian 7s Olympic gold medallist Masivesi Dakuwaqa to Toulon and local product Clay Uyen to another French club, Valence Romans.
Goddammit!
From now on do NOT talk up ANY Force players, cos soon as we do they get poached! I’m sick of the Force turning into a feeder team for everybody else!
Probably still coining more than he would on a Force contract though.
As they've just got promotion to D2, they'll be trying to improve their squad to stay there/push for promotion. D2 isn't a bad level; clubs there next season include: Perpignon & Grenoble (relegated from Top 14), Biarritz (DHP's old club), Beziers, Carcassone. Just the sort of place where Clay can make a name for himself. Romans is an old club, with lots of history.
If nothing else, if he tops the try-scoring charts in D2 (which he might!) he'll be noticed by the Top 14 sides. And if he doesn't, he'll enjoy the south of France and pad his super
Bernie Foley is leaving the Tahs after RWC. Does that open a door for Andrew Deegan in his home State?
I have no objection to McGregor or Deegan going. I'd rather us focus on bringing back West Australians like Luke Burton or Zack Holmes. Reckon Holmes would be well suited to GRR. Or developing guys like Nick Jooste.
We need to recognise this competition is in its infancy and we won't be attracting the best players in the world. At this stage, I'm happy to develop Aussie talent, because that proves the falsehood in the argument to assassinate the force.