2014 Squad so far

[Alison]

Do you think it's HB and Rabbit AND Rory then TIF????

[The InnFORCEr]

Fingers crossed

[GAFFA]

Rory Walton Adam Coleman (lock) and Robbie Abel (hooker) To the EPS


http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...8/Default.aspx

[travelling_gerry]

Western Force: SA’s 7th franchise
October 10, 2013 in Uncategorized
The Western Force’s South African contingent is growing with the latest recruit being Bradley Moolman, albeit only to the Western Force Academy.

Bradley Moolman (22), a 2011 u/20 Bok, played Craven Week for the Lions before playing his junior rugby for the Blue Bulls and returning to the Lions in 2012. He has yet to establish himself at senior level having played a number of Vodacom Cup games for the Blue Bulls and the Golden Lions.

Prop Chris Heiberg, centre Marcel Brache (both WP/Stormers), lock Wilhelm Steenkamp (Bulls), scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens (Valke) and now Moolman (Golden Lions) are joining Sias Ebersohn and the South African born Chris Alcock for the 2014 season. Chris Alcock’s parents moved to Australia when he was 10 while Ryan Louwrens moved to Perth in 2011.

This brings the South African contingent at the Force to seven.


http://blogs.sport24.co.za/thepride/...7th-franchise/

[Alison]

Had hoped Rory might be promoted to the full squad after last season, but I guess the pattern's full at lock.

[The InnFORCEr]

So that leaves just two spots remaining for

Nick Cummins
Winston Stanley
James O'Connor

[GAFFA]

So what happens to Ollie Hoskins we only have 5 Props in the Squad with 4 being required on game day that leaves us very thin.

[oxleymoron]

So what happens to Ollie Hoskins we only have 5 Props in the Squad with 4 being required on game day that leaves us very thin.

I reckon that one of the current backs might get a DCM in order to make room for a 6th prop.

Currently the backs on the front page are split 4 centres and 5 outside backs. If you add in HB and JOC or WS - that makes 11 (not including EPS) and is one too many IMO.

[chibi]

Couldn't they just release Stanley and Ebersohn? Or are their contracts iron-clad?

[James]

I'd be interested to see the wider training squad given what appears to be missing from the main squad.

As it stands:

• Cummins would give us a full set of backs and I don't think we will be seeing James O'Connor any time soon.

• We have four backrowers listed where ideally you'd want 6- especially with none in the EPS. You'd guess that Hugh McMeniman is going to be a 6 next season. That's where his Wallaby future lies. That leaves three locks but I suppose there are 2 in the EPS. Wykes could also play 6 I guess or McCalman at lock.

• Ollie Hoskins has the right to feel a little cheesed off. Hopefully he'll be in the wider training squad. On the plus side, Adam Coleman does look like the kind of machine we are lacking in our second row.

• Winston Stanley looks like he is a goner. It's a shame he didn't make more out of his potential. Bradley Moolman is listed as an outside centre. Stanley's off contract, but if someone was going to get released, surely it would be CTM.

• Probably the first time since 2009 that we can say that this year's squad looks stronger than last year's squad.

[James]

Also, is it just me or does Bradley Moolman sound like some kind of Marvel villain?

A scientist who accidently drinks toxic waste and becomes some kind of swamp man. It could happen.

[chibi]

I always thought Wylie Human sounded like a cartoon character.

[James]

Sounds like the kind of surname an alien would pick if he was trying to infiltrate human society to alleviate suspicion. Maybe he's from District 9.

[travelling_gerry]

In the West this morning...Winston Stanley off to the Hurricanes.

Foley still waiting on Cummins and O'Connor to fill the squad.

[Alison]

Re Ollie Hoskins, it's my understanding that he was offered an EPS contract by the Rebels but turned it down as he wants to play for the Force. The roster is full for contracted props at the Force at the moment but he will be with the squad in some form or another and train with them etc until he's 110% ready to formally come on board.

Ollie is a Perth boy through and through and loyal to WA to the core :-)))