SCHOOLBOY STAR LUKE JONES COMMITS TO EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE

[James]

That's great. On the little I saw of the schools championships on Fox, I hope they are putting a priority on getting Kyle Godwin into the academy as well. Hate to see the Australian Schools flyhalf heading east for a shot.

I reckon the Force would academy him for this year and maybe rookie him the year after. I gather Luke Jones is a year older and perhaps a bit more developed. I doubt RugbyWA would be stupid enough to ignore talented locals. We seem to be good enough at poaching everyone else's juniors may as well take care of our own.

[Working Class]

I'm surprised we haven't heard anything about him being linked with the Force. You would think they'd be keen to sign up a young local prospect.

[benjitfc]

hi all,

went to school and actually played a handful of games with the guy, i finished last year,

big tall boy who is punishing in defence, a great signing imo, however may have ignored a even better player who was captain of nsw school boys before him in michael hooper

good luck to him and the force in 10

[GIGS20]

Maybe not ignored, but unable to get past the 'Tahs.

I don't know much about NSW schoolboys, but surely snatching one or two from there would be tantamount to stealing eggs from NSWRugby's henhouse.

[James]

I read in the North Shore Times (I think that's what it was called) on the Internet the other day about Jones saying given the choice between the Tahs and the Force he'd take the Force because it mixes things up and so he isn't just doing the same old thing. Seems remarkably mature for an 18-year old if he's serious on it.

Welcome Benjitfc. This Michael Hooper sounds interesting but I think as you said about Jones being punishing in defense is why they chose him. We don't have to many 'enforcer' types at the Force or Australia really and a hard-nosed lock is a premium.