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Western Force captain Ian Prior says a more resilient side has emerged following a three-year journey back to facing Super Rugby rivals
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Monday, 1 June 2020 1:33PM
Western Force captain Ian Prior knows plenty about adversity but believes the club has come though the other side with a sharper edge heading into the new Super Rugby campaign.
The Force were thrown on the scrapheap by Rugby Australia three years ago before mining magnate Andrew Forrest came along and financed Global Rapid Rugby.
That hit a speed bump when it was shut down for the season after just one round because of the coronavirus crisis.
But a new dawn rises next month when the Force again face their former Australian Super rivals.
Scrum-half Prior went through the controversial cull to stick with the Force.
“We’ve come out the other side of that and it’s a really special time for this club,” Prior said.
“It gives you more self-belief and a hard edge, going through adversity. The beauty of the squad is they are resilient.
“We have dealt with uncertainty over the last few years but we’re a tight group. Whatever is thrown at us we’ll take in our stride.”
Western Force new 2020 Global Rapid Rugby jumpers Credit: Supplied
The current squad has seven players who were at the club when it was dumped and plenty of new faces with a dozen coming from local club rugby.
“There are guys that want to test themselves and prove themselves. Other guys that have played at that level want to get back into it.” Prior said.
“It will be a pretty special come the first game. We’ve invested in some good people. To see it coming together, it’s pretty special.
“It’s pretty special for the guys that were here from the start and have taken the Force to where we are. For other guys it’s a dream come true to represent their state.
“It gives us a chance to prove what a successful programme we are putting together, to show the strength of the pathways.
“We are committed to Global Rapid Rugby, that has been quite special, but no-one really knows what the future holds.
“We are focusing on what we can control which is producing the best professional progam in Australia.”
The Tokyo-based Sunwolves will not to join the new competition because travel restrictions and border closures mean they would not have enough time to prepare for the July 3 kick-off.
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