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WESTERN FORCE UNDER 20'S SIDE NAMED FOR SEASON OPENER
By David Berrie on Thu 25th February 16
By Luke Worthington
The Western Force Under 20’s has announced a 23-man squad for this Saturday, 27 February, when they take on the Melbourne Rebels Under 20’s at nib Stadium as a curtain raiser for the Western Force’s Asteron Life Super Rugby season opener.
This weekend marks the opening round of the revamped Under 20’s competition, which will see each of the five Australian Super Rugby franchises fielding a team, with all sides playing each other once before a final is held between the top two sides.
The new competition will provide an opportunity for these Western Force players to be linked with the club, as well as playing an increased number of matches compared to the old Under 20’s system, allowing player standards to be driven up through quality competition in a professional environment.
Pindan Premier Grade club Nedlands have the strongest showing, with Terrell Shortland-Berryman, Tom Sheminant, Sam Offer and Tevin Ferris helping to form half of the squad’s starting forward pack, alongside Tristan Schneider (Joondalup), Blake Phillips (Wanneroo) and both Hendricus Van Der Heyden, and Sosifa Likio from the Rockingham club.
The backline includes Palmyra’s Onehunga Havili, who was the fourth player to receive a scholarship in the Western Force’s ‘Future Force’ academy. Havili will have three Palmyra teammates alongside him in Leighton Short, Michael Fotu and Trey Moloney, while Wests Scarborough’s Angus Taylor will Captain the side and line up at half-back, forming a dynamic halves pair with Associates fly-half Tom Ingrim.
Coming off the bench will be Wests Scarborough’s Ford Hemi, with Joondalup’s Lorenzo Mario and Te Orangi Thompson, UWA’s Shambeckler Vui, Tim Wallace and James Brown alongside Nedlands’ Hershelle Classen and Kauri Cudd.
Western Force Under 20’s Head Coach Dwayne Nestor said the new competition will give the young players invaluable rugby experience for future years.
“Playing in a competition where you travel for games, get national exposure, and play directly under the name Western Force is a huge opportunity for these young guys,” he said.
“We have put out a group that we know will be competitive on the field, but will also take away a lot from the experience, and use what they are given to ultimately help the development of their rugby career.
“We know the Rebels have some strong talent coming through their ranks, and as much as this Saturday’s match will be about getting our feet wet in the new competition, we only have five games to secure a grand final position, so we will be coming out strong.”
2016 National Under 20’s Competition – Western Force 20’s v Melbourne Rebels 20’s
nib Stadium, Perth, Western Australia
Wednesday, 27 February 2016
Kick-off: 4:20pm
Ticket Prices
Tickets to this curtain raiser are free with your Western Force membership, or your Western Force v Melbourne Rebels tickets.
Seating
Seating for this match is only available in the general admission area of the northern grand stand, with entrance to this area available only via gate one.
1 Tristan Schneider Joondalup 2 Terrell Shortland-Berryman Nedlands 3 Tom Sheminant Nedlands 4 Hendricus Van Der Heyden Rockingham 5 Sam Offer Nedlands 6 Tevin Ferris Nedlands 7 Sosifa Likio Rockingham 8 Blake Phillips Wanneroo 9 Angus Taylor West Scarborough 10 Tom Ingrim Associates 11 Onehunga Havili Palmyra 12 Leighton Short Palmyra 13 Michael Fotu Palmyra 14 Trey Moloney Palmyra 15 Clay Uyen UWA 16 Ford Hemi West Scarborough 17 Lorenzo Mario Joondalup 18 Shambeckler Vui UWA 19 Tim Wallace UWA 20 James Brown UWA 21 Hershelle Classen Nedlands 22 Te Orangi Thompson Joondalup 23 Kauri Cudd
- See more at: https://www.westernforce.com.au/arti....EJZpeGft.dpuf