2023 Squad - The List

[Tazzmania]

Looks like Bryce Hegarty is on his way to join the squad.

It also sounds like he is carrying an injury.

More work for the S+C team with the injury list already around the 14 mark.

[The InnFORCEr]

Western Force 2023 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific squad revealed
Mon, Nov 21, 2022, 7:18 AM
WM
by Western Force Media


The Western Force is thrilled to announce the 38-man squad for the highly anticipated 2023 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific competition.

Head coach, Simon Cron has enlisted a wealth of youth, dropping the squad's average age from 27 to 24. Cron has significant trust in the experience of his hand picked coaching staff to shape the young talent throughout the season.

The squad includes four capped Wallabies Folau Fainga'a, Izack Rodda, Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu'u, and Argentinian Prop Santiago Medrano. A further seven players represented Australia A this year, including Tim Anstee, Jeremy Williams, Ollie Callan, Jackson Pugh, Bayley Kuenzle and Hamish Stewart.

The Fortescue Academy program continues to succeed, with five promoted to the senior squad. Including Junior Wallabies captain, 19-year-old Ned Slack-Smith, who, after a dominant 2022 season, earns his spot in the back-row group.

Ten fresh faces join the squad, including skilled fly-halves Bryce Hegarty (Leicester Tigers) and Hamish Stewart (Queensland Reds), with 179 Super Rugby caps and a plethora of experience between them. Chase TiaTia (Chiefs) sparks a potential lethal back three, joining former kiwi counterpart Toni Pulu and Flying Fijian, Nathan Sharpe dual recipient Manasa Mataele.

The retention of talent was just as crucial as the recruitment of new players. Perth's homegrown back row duo, Kane Koteka and Ollie Callan's long-term commitment to the Force hold the line in good stead for the coming season.

The Force will kick-off their 2023 campaign against the Melbourne Rebels at HBF Park on Saturday, February 25. Don’t miss out on the best seats in the house! Become a 2023 Force member here.

Anticipating an exciting, fearless Force to run out Round One, Cron highlights what the Sea of Blue is to expect come February 25.

PROPS

Angus Wagner, Bo Abra, Charlie Hancock, Santiago Medrano, Tom Robertson, Siosifa Amone, Andrew Romano

"Our front rowers give us mobility around the park and x-factor. Here, we have a diverse age split in players; we've got some experienced players and a next level coming through. They will push each other and create competition in the squad," Cron mentioned.

HOOKERS

Feleti Kaitu'u, Folau Fainga'a, Jack Winchester

"This is a critical specialist position with core roles at set piece time. Folau is a great addition to this group with his power and experience. With Folau, Feleti and Jack, there will be opportunities to compete at training, help guide and grow each other," Cron claimed.

LOCKS

Ryan McCauley, Izack Rodda, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Will Sankey.

“Outside of set piece it’s essential our locks excel in the tight. We are looking for dominant ball carriers as well as high tackle and cleanout numbers. We are excited to get Izack back on the field. He brings experience, is a massive human and genuine international lock. Felix is explosive and fast. Combining this with Ryan and Will's strengths we will want them all pushing each other in training," asserted Cron.

BACK ROWERS

Jackson Pugh, Kane Koteka, Michael Wells, Ollie Callan, Tim Anstee, Ned Slack-Smith.

"This is a great group of hard-working, high involvement, loose forwards. We are looking at them to lead the way on both sides of the ball as well as push the tempo at which we play,” Cron highlighted.

SCRUM HALVES

Ian Prior, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry Robertson

"All our halves have their own unique strengths. For us as coaches it is about growing their game and looking to add even more strings to their bow. Game management and triple threats define great 9s. The three of them will bounce off each other and we are excited to be working with them,” affirmed Cron.

INSIDE BACKS

Bayley Kuenzle, Bryce Hegarty, Grason Makara, Hamish Stewart, Reesjan Pasitoa, George Poolman, Oliver Cummins

"The addition of Hamish and Bryce brings additional experience in big moments. There are plenty of combinations making themselves known, all exciting options. The recent Japan tour gave us a good look at some of their strengths," stated Cron.

OUTSIDE BACKS

Chase Tiatia, Daniel Ala, Jake Strachan, Manasa Mataele, Toni Pulu, Reece Tapine, Rupeni Mataele

"Chase is extremely skilful and a brilliant communicator, so a great addition to our squad. Manasa, Toni and Jake have all shown how much of a threat they can be with the ball in hand so it’s an opportunity for Reece, Daniel and Rupeni to push them in pre-season,” said Cron

Force Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Simon Cron

Forwards Coach: Jimmy Duffy

Backs Coach: Mark Ozich

Defence Coach: Will Eggleston

FORWARDS

Angus Wagner
Bo Abra
Charlie Hancock
Santiago Medrano
Tom Robertson
Siosifa Amone
Andrew Romano
Feleti Kaitu'u
Folau Fainga'a
Jack Winchester
Felix Kalapu
Izack Rodda
Ryan McCauley
Will Sankey
Jackson Pugh
Jeremy Williams
Kane Koteka
Michael Wells
Ollie Callan
Tim Anstee
Ned Slack-Smith

BACKS

Ian Prior
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
Henry Robertson
Bayley Kuenzle
Bryce Hegarty
Grason Makara
Hamish Stewart
Reesjan Pasitoa
George Poolman
Ollie Cummins
Chase Tiatia
Daniel Ala
Jake Strachan
Manasa Mataele
Reece Tapine
Toni Pulu
Rupeni Mataele

https://westernforce.rugby/news/west...ealed-20221119

[The InnFORCEr]

Full Squad of 38 players on front page

[Tazzmania]

Looks like a very good young squad with lots of potential.

Excited to see how they go.

Only concern is no genuine 13, will be interesting see who fills that spot.

[GIGS20]

Looks like a very good young squad with lots of potential.

Excited to see how they go.

Only concern is no genuine 13, will be interesting see who fills that spot.

See my latest post in the speculation thread. There are some other interesting positions as well

[WFDom]

Fresh meat!

https://t.co/Dw9WDNxUQc?ref_src=twsr...twcon%5Es1_c14

https://t.co/u676MmpE0l?ref_src=twsr...twcon%5Es1_c14

[The InnFORCEr]

Western Force sign young English centre Spink, Brazilian prop Rebolo
Tue, Nov 29, 2022, 7:29 AM
Nathan Williamson


The Western Force have bolstered their midfield after signing exciting English centre Sam Spink.

Spink makes the trip to Australia on a two-year deal, making his name in the Premiership with Wasps.

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The 23-year-old played 26 caps for the club before they went into administration, representing England at both U18s and U20s.

"I'm ready and excited to get involved in a completely different style and brand of rugby and learn from different coaches. This change will be a huge development for my personal growth," Spink said in a statement.

"The opportunity to play in the Super Rugby competition and play against Australian and New Zealand teams along with the pacific national teams is definitely a season to be excited about.

"With Simon working under Steve Hansen in Japan, that influence is incredible to learn from, and I can't wait to meet him and the coaches and start improving my game.

"It's a challenge; Super Rugby is something I never thought I would get the opportunity to play in; it's a different style and brand of rugby, a lot quicker, it's more attacking and flowing rugby. The age profile of the group looks quite exciting, being 23 I think I'll fit in comfortably with the squad and the combinations already formed."

It comes as the club also confirm the signing of prop Wilton Rebolo, the first Brazilian to join a Super Rugby club.

The 27-year-old tight-head prop joins from Major League Rugby side United Rugby New York, representing Brazil on 33 occasions.

"It has always been my dream to play in Super Rugby; my teammates from Brazil all have this dream. The Force is a great team, and I feel lucky to have been given this opportunity," Rebolo believes.

"I am excited to play and will bring a lot of enthusiasm. I am a big enforcer at scrum time and can't wait to learn from Simon, especially in strategic game play.

"I think I will gain a lot of experience at the Force; this will progress my level within the Brazilian team and significantly increase the quality of my game."

Force head coach Simon Cron was excited by the pair of signings as they look to build for the future.

“Sam (Spark) is a big body, he is extremely explosive and a good ball carrier,” Cron added.

“For us he brings a level of experience at a young age that we think will be extremely beneficial for our squad.

“Wilton is fast, explosive and brings a great deal of size to the squad. He is defensively strong and in attack he has really good feet. The biggest thing for us is to capitalise on his strengths and help him improve in the areas of set piece as he starts to push several players in the squad for a starting spot.

“One of the things we need in our squad is what we would call ‘street fighters’, so we need guys that are going into contact drills hard and continuously hit hard, he is obviously one of those players.”

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/wester...spink-20221128

[valzc]

Is there a Parata or no.

[Rugby]

Good acquisitions given centre depth issues following Godwin and kahui departure and equally need to bolster long term prop options.

[WFDom]

Spink is a great signing. Ive been a Wasps fan since I was very young & have continued watching them.

He is a very capable outside centre. Just what we need. Good things coming

[The InnFORCEr]

Is there a Parata or no.

It's a no, from what I can see to date.

[andrewg]

With an average age of 24.4 yo this is the youngest squad that the WF has ever had.
I would think that it's the youngest squad in SRP.
Only 3 players >/= 30yo: Bryce Hegarty - 30; Ian Prior 32; Toni Pulu - 33.
Building for the future...................
Looking forward to the naming of the Fortescue Academy class of 2023.

[andrewg]

Encouraging sentiment from one of our latest recruits.
Props are so often late bloomers.
Let's hope so!

[Tazzmania]

[The InnFORCEr]

Looks like Jake Winchester is out of the squad.