2025 Squad - Speculation Thread

[Kernow]

I think Wells is a hard one. There appear to be so many undefinables there that makes the team perform better when he's on the park, despite not looking up to scratch in what he brings to the table.

By the sound of Masibakas contract it would be wise/possible to lure him back, but I'm not convinced that should be at the expense of a player who clearly brings a lot of experience and leadership to the young forwards.

He might be our new Ian Prior

I think he is having a much better season this year than last; perhaps it's shedding the skipper role and assuming the VC; he clearly holds a very high personal standard and struggled to hide his disappointment/ dissatisfaction in some post-match interviews for the Rebels and the Force. From some of the interviews on the podcast, etc., the lads pick him as one of the hardest hitters in the full-contact practices. He's been involved in a few trys and bagged a couple himself, would like to see them keep him on as I reckon he drives that standard in training.

[Burgs]

I rather thought that Alex went to Montpellier on a 3 year deal as part of the alliance they were investigating a couple of seasons ago. He was in their academy and looks to have been loaned (or perhaps even transferred) now. He's a big unit and has had some great games fro Soyaux.

Could well be mate, purely working off what I could find in all.rugby listing (2024 stated) and Wikipedia for Club (Academy listed).
People in WA scene may well have better knowledge of the situation.

[GIGS20]

As in hanging around filling a Squad spot "in case"?
34 in Scrumhalf is probably younger than 32 ('25 Season) in Backrow years.

Yeah, well injury cover is a requirement in a modern sporting team.

[valzc]

Is Anstee injured?

[Tazzmania]

Is Anstee injured?

No he has been warming up with the team most weeks, so is probably just sitting outside the 23 at the moment.

Harris, Princep, Tizzano, Wells have the back row tied up at the moment, and Williams, Rodda, Fiafua (with Carter, Franklin) ahead in the locking position.

[WFDom]

No he has been warming up with the team most weeks, so is probably just sitting outside the 23 at the moment.

Harris, Princep, Tizzano, Wells have the back row tied up at the moment, and Williams, Rodda, Fiafua (with Carter, Franklin) ahead in the locking position.

Agree with Princep and Tizzano having 7 & 8 sewn up. But I haven't been overly impressed with Harris.
TBH I was hoping for a bit more from him after all the fanfare when he signed. More than happy to be proved wrong down the line

[Tazzmania]

But I haven't been overly impressed with Harris.TBH I was hoping for a bit more from him after all the fanfare when he signed. More than happy to be proved wrong down the line

If you have a look at my stats each match you may be pleasantly surprised, he is a quiet achiever.

Also remember he is only 23 years old and still growing into his role, and thats why he only plays 50 to 60 minutes each match.

[chiraag]

I thought Harris was going well at 8 before injury, and think he should be switched back there. He's a stronger ball carrier than Prinsep, who has shown too much of a tendency to lose the ball in contact. Prinsep is a workhorse, so well suited to 6.
I'd also be looking to squeeze Anstee in on the bench at the expense of Wells. Anstee is more versatile, has way more upside and needs minutes on the field.
Do agree that Wells has been going alright though. His leadership is needed at times, but we should have that covered now with Rodda, White, Williams, KB and Stewart.

[Kernow]

I thought Harris was going well at 8 before injury, and think he should be switched back there. He's a stronger ball carrier than Prinsep, who has shown too much of a tendency to lose the ball in contact. Prinsep is a workhorse, so well suited to 6.
I'd also be looking to squeeze Anstee in on the bench at the expense of Wells. Anstee is more versatile, has way more upside and needs minutes on the field.
Do agree that Wells has been going alright though. His leadership is needed at times, but we should have that covered now with Rodda, White, Williams, KB and Stewart.

I think this selection headache is what Cron has been looking for - hopefully, Tim is hungry enough to fight his way back into the 23.

[Transiting]

I'd be hoping for something like the following for 2025 (only 37 listed and not considering Rebel players contracted beyond 2024):

Props: 7
Pearce
Hancock
Hoopert
Robinson
Amone?
Tauakipulu?
Eloff?

Hookers: 3
Paenga-Amosa
Dolly
Horton

Locks: 6
Swain
Rodda?
Carter?
Faifua?
Kalapu
Williams

Loose: 5
Harris
Prinsep?
Anstee?
Tizzano
Callan?


Halfback: 3
White
Fines-Leleiwasa
Robertson

10: 3
Donaldson
Burey
Pasitoa

Outside: 10
Stewart?
Kuenzle
Jooste?
Potter
O’Donnell
Poolman
Petaia?
Tiatia?
Leahy
Beale?

[sandgroperrugby]

Listening to Kurtley talking on field last night with Morgan. Morgan pushed him on signing for next year, Kurtley politely non-committal when pushed multiple times. Thought Kurtley dealt with it professionally, however got the feeling it’s a no.

[Garry Owen]

I'd be hoping for something like the following for 2025 (only 37 listed and not considering Rebel players contracted beyond 2024):

Props: 7
Pearce
Hancock
Hoopert
Robinson
Amone?
Tauakipulu?
Eloff?

Hookers: 3
Paenga-Amosa
Dolly
Horton

Locks: 6
Swain
Rodda?
Carter?
Faifua?
Kalapu
Williams

Loose: 5
Harris
Prinsep?
Anstee?
Tizzano
Callan?


Halfback: 3
White
Fines-Leleiwasa
Robertson

10: 3
Donaldson
Burey
Pasitoa

Outside: 10
Stewart?
Kuenzle
Jooste?
Potter
O’Donnell
Poolman
Petaia?
Tiatia?
Leahy
Beale?

What’s the go with Koteka, he actually signed a 3 year contract in 2022 so that includes next year, or did the force actually terminate his contract? I think he can return soon?

[GIGS20]

Listening to Kurtley talking on field last night with Morgan. Morgan pushed him on signing for next year, Kurtley politely non-committal when pushed multiple times. Thought Kurtley dealt with it professionally, however got the feeling it’s a no.

I got the distinct feeling it's a "nothing decided yet" which could mean several things.

1 I want to stay, but the Force haven't made any moves yet.
2 The Force want me to stay but I'm still open to offers
3 We both want me here but the negotiations between agent and recruiter aren't done yet
4 Neither of us want it but we're keeping our options open
5 I'm already signed for a job in Japan but I can't announce it yet

TBH the whole piece was Mr Randwick Turinui shilling his clubmate to the world by talking about a contract when, in reality, hes a 37 year old back on an injury cover contract for a younger guy who is AT LEAST his equal. I'm not convinced we want Kurtley for the same reasons as Kurtley would want to be here, he'll sit the bench or in the stands until somebody's hurt and that doesn't strike me as a Beale kind of gig.

[Kernow]

What’s the go with Koteka, he actually signed a 3 year contract in 2022 so that includes next year, or did the force actually terminate his contract? I think he can return soon?

I get the impression he is busting a gut to get back in the squad. I think it was clear the positive was from a supplement his housemate was taking. I’d imagine he’ll have to earn his stripes at club level but the lad is as hard as nails - I’d love to think he’s still in with a decent chance of pulling a jersey on again.

[Kernow]

I got the distinct feeling it's a "nothing decided yet" which could mean several things.

1 I want to stay, but the Force haven't made any moves yet.
2 The Force want me to stay but I'm still open to offers
3 We both want me here but the negotiations between agent and recruiter aren't done yet
4 Neither of us want it but we're keeping our options open
5 I'm already signed for a job in Japan but I can't announce it yet

TBH the whole piece was Mr Randwick Turinui shilling his clubmate to the world by talking about a contract when, in reality, hes a 37 year old back on an injury cover contract for a younger guy who is AT LEAST his equal. I'm not convinced we want Kurtley for the same reasons as Kurtley would want to be here, he'll sit the bench or in the stands until somebody's hurt and that doesn't strike me as a Beale kind of gig.

I got the impression that nothing has been decided yet, as Cronno said, his missus has a big say in that and they have more important things on their mind with bub #2 arriving this week. I’d be the first to admit I wasn’t thrilled by the announcement, but from the outside glimpsing in he appears to have made an incredibly positive contribution. JT and Richard Kahn made a huge contribution with their rugby IQ and it looks like KB is doing the same. With such a young squad I think KB would be able to accelerate several players development.