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Our series on the chances of the Australian Super Rugby teams for 2013 concludes with the Western Force.
Best team
1. Salesi Ma’Afu
2. Nathan Charles
3. Pek Cowan
4. Sam Wykes
5. Hugh McMeniman
6. Matt Hodgson
7. Chris Alcock
8. Ben McCalman
9. Alby Mathewson
10. Sias Eberson
11. Nick Cummings
12. Winston Stanley
13. Will Tupou
14. Alfie Mafi
15. Patrick Dellit
16. Ben Whitaker
17. Kieran Longbottom
18. Toby Lynn
19. Lachlan McCaffrey
20. Brett Sheenan
21. Sam Norton-Knight
22. Jayden Hayward
Other Squad
23. Tetera Faulkner
24. Phoenix Battye
25. Angus Cottrell
26. Richard Brown
27. Chris Tuatara-Morrison
28. Kyle Godwin
29. Ed Stubbs
30. Junior Rasolea
Extended playing squad (EPS)
31. James Hilterbrand – hooker
32. Salesi Manu – prop
33. Rory Walton – lock
34. M Snowden – scrumhalf
In
Hugh McMeniman, Chris Alcock, Alby Mathewson, Mick Snowden, Sias Eberson, Chris Tuatara-Morrison, Sam Norton-Knight, Ed Stubbs, Junior Rasolea
Out
Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock, Samu Wara, Napolioni Nalaga, Cameron Sheppherd, Brett Seymour, Gene Fairbanks, James Stannard, Rory Sidey, David Harvey, Jordan Rapana, Justin Turner
Season chances
The Force are the unknown quantity of Australian rugby in 2013. With the loss of some core players and the culling of the majority of their backline, they will need to gel well as a group if they are any chance of performing.
Coach Michael Foley has brought back some names from the past and utilised his international player cap well, but I don’t think Foley has had the same eye for talent that Jake White had when signing Super Rugby novices. They lack any real force up front and don’t have the calibre of team to get them off the bottom of this conference.
Predicted finish – conference fifth – overall 14th
Key player
The key players will be the entire front row for the Force this year. They have a strong back row and some talented players in the backline, but without the go-forward up front they will crumble under the quality of opposition in this competition.
Ma’afu needs to make himself an 80-minute player and Pek Cowan needs to improve his scrummaging.
Up and comer
In 2012 Will Tupou was one of the quietest league imports we have seen in the professional era. His name barely received a mention throughout the year due to a string of uneventful performances.
However looking at his statistics and some league highlights, I predicted a big year from him last year and called him the Force’s best buy.
I am now going to go out on a limb and label him the biggest improver for 2013 across the Australian conference. I predict he will find his feet in the game and will impress in a Force team that is desperate for some on-field inspiration.
Best buy
Hugh McMeniman for my mind is the best buy for the Force in 2013. His aggression in defence, strength at the lineout and his ability to take on the line are great assets. In the Scott Higginbotham mould, if he has not lost his talent while playing in Japan, I think he will be an on-field leader for the team.
Biggest loss
Two noticeable absentees stand out in the Force’s 30 man squad. Nathan Sharpe and David Pocock are two of the biggest losses that any team faces in the Australian conference.
Unfortunately the Force is the team that can least likely afford these types of personnel losses. I am hoping that this will spark some unpredictability and fresh life into the team, allowing some new talent to step up.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.