FORCE BRINGS PRE-SEASON FIXTURES TO PERTH

The Western Force will host two pre-season fixtures in Perth against the ACT Brumbies (Friday, 23 January) and the Asia Pacific Dragons (Saturday, 31 January) in the lead-in to the club’s 10th season of Asteron Life Super Rugby. Both matches will be played at McGillivray Oval in Mount Claremont.

The two matches will give the passionate ‘Sea of Blue’ their opportunity to see the Western Force in action prior to their Asteron Life Super Rugby season-opener against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday, 15 February.

The Western Australians will open their pre-season campaign against the Brumbies, who contested last year’s Asteron Life Super Rugby semi-finals. The Force has previously played pre-season matches against the Brumbies in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

The second fixture will feature the Asia Pacific Dragons, an invitational side to be coached by All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, made up of players currently playing in Japan. The Dragons’ line-up has previously featured the likes of Test players George Gregan, Toutai Kefu, George Smith, Justin Marshall, Jerry Collins, Mils Muiliana, Seilala Mapasua and Rupeni Caucaunibuca.

Head Coach Michael Foley says the matches will an important final hit-out ahead of the Asteron Life Super Rugby season.

“There was a great atmosphere during the Perth Spirit match at McGillivray Oval earlier this year and we’re looking forward to playing both pre-season matches in front of our fans in Perth,” he said.

“The Brumbies and Asia Pacific Dragons will provide strong opposition for us to finalise our preparations ahead of the season. The Brumbies have been the pace-setters in the Australian conference over the past three seasons, while the Dragons will also test us with a number of players familiar to Super Rugby and Test rugby set to be involved.

“This season presents a new challenge for the team and the club as we look to back up last season’s step forward.”

Ticketing information for both matches will be available next month.

2015 Western Force Pre-Season Fixtures
1. Friday, 23 January: Western Force v Brumbies – McGillivray Oval, Mt Claremont, Perth. Kick-off: 5pm
2. Saturday, 31 January: Western Force v Asia Pacific Dragons – McGillivray Oval, Mt Claremont, Perth. Kick-off: 5pm

Those are some pretty early kick off times for games played in January.

Won't need to pay for lighting?

Wonder if The Honeybadger will be "with us" or "against us" :S

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The InnFORCEr

Wonder if The Honeybadger will be "with us" or "against us" :S

---

He swaps over at half time

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sandgroperrugby

He swaps over at half time

---

I'd take that as long as he can stay for the rest of the season

5pm on a Friday? Not expecting a big crowd, then!

Hopefully we've got a game over east on the 7th/8th (well, they are in Sydney for the 15th) so we can get two Super Rugby teams in pre-season.

Asia Pacific Dragons - https://www.facebook.com/APDsRugby & http://www.carinat.com/asiapacificdragons - formerly known as the Asia Pacific Barbarians...

Oh. I think I feel a sore throat coming on... Should be enough prepping for that Friday off work!
Job done!

I saw Tana's Asia Pacific Dragons win the Hong Kong 10's at Hong Kong football club earlier this year! They run this on the Wednesday and Thursday prior to the Hong Kong Sevens and its a must see event if planning to go to the HK7's. I actually prefer the 10s to the 7's style as it has the mix of scrum and line out that is missing in 7's, but still the frenetic pace. Radike Samo, Alesana Tuilagi and George Smith were in the run out team. Now that is a line up that would make taking off work early for!

5pm! Crikey ....Why?..... :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hertryk

5pm! Crikey ....Why?..... :(

---

Coz I don't go back to work until the 28th

Sukkit!

Attachment 3589