It’s official! Western Force are back in Super Rugby… sort of.
The competition is actually called Super Rugby AU and the competition is still awaiting confirmation about whether the Sunwolves will be attending the party, making it Super Rugby AU(J).
On a quick side note, wouldn’t it have been better, particularly given that at the time of the announcement it is National Reconciliation Week, to call it Super Rugby Welcome to Country? Franchises could have then looked to engage with sections of the public that don’t traditionally look at rugby union.
Anyway, welcome back Western Force. We were wrong to ask you to leave but let’s let bygones be bygones. The team from WA has grown in popularity since its slow expulsion from Super Rugby, and the need for rugby union to retain a significant presence in the west is vital, particularly with AFL and NRL continually looking to grow in the outpost.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Seeing the light-blue jerseys returning to regular action against other franchises will be a welcome sight and one that should be fully embraced by the Australian rugby community.
There will be plenty of comments and arguments that there isn’t sufficient player depth to have five competitive teams at the top level, and maybe they’re right.
But you can’t just neglect a massive section of the country because you don’t deem them worthy. The Force need support, and if Twiggy wants to continue ploughing his money into the organisation, then let him. Just put in place some measures to ensure Australian players remain at the core of the offering.
Regardless of how the Sunwolves fall after their game of hokey pokey, the opportunity to see potentially five Australians facing off against each other to ultimately prove that they deserve to be in Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad is massive.
Take the ten shirt, for example. Whichever one of the many candidates can guide their team with the greatest level of poise and control could end up starting the first international game under Dave Rennie (whenever that is).
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The Force may not have the biggest names or the most likely candidates for Wallabies jerseys, but they can add some nice depth in a number of positions and a shot a redemption for a number of players that previously have been deemed wanting at the top level.
The presence of the Force at the top table can also act as a viable alternative to those players that are currently sitting second, third or fourth in the pecking order at their more competitive franchises to get some regular front-line minutes. They could take on leadership roles, plus dictate team patterns and performance.
The tournament may be a bit of a throwback to 2017, but if we don’t study the past then we are destined to repeat its mistakes. Let’s just hope that lessons can be learnt this time around.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I can't believe nobody bit at that one.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yes, he has somewhat reinvented himself. I just personally think he is a better 13 than 10 or 12. Having said that he’ll probably prove me wrong with luck????
Don
Roar Rookie
There will be a salary cap in SR AU. Hs to be. So does the Force not have to abide by whatever is put in place? There could be an exemption like the Rebels had when the Force was turfed.
Ex force fan
Guest
The Richard Graham years were the worst as Graham never made a commitment to the WA rugby community and that shown in the way his team played the game. Another mistake was recruiting players like Mitchell that failed to connected to the WA support base. A success was Matt Hodgson that become more West Australian than a Westralian.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
O'Connor and Pocock were never with the Reds before joining the Force. They were recruited straight from school. Pocock wasn't even born in Queensland. Just went to school there for a few years. Right now the Reds have Jack Hardy from WA who learnt his Rugby at The University of Western Australia Rugby Club, playing in the same team from under 6 right through to Premier Grade with Carlo Tizzano now with the Tahs.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The Force isn't under RA control on salary cap or anything else. There are no salary caps in GRR.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Force Captain Ian Prior with his radar boot and outstanding leadership should certainly be in the mix for the 9 jersey.
MitchO
Guest
Scott I though Jooste was reinventing himself as a 12. Prior can play 10 if we need him too but ideally he'd play 9. Clay Uen is a decent wing. Placid is pretty good and Lacy is okay. Longbottom will scrum well or a period of time but he's a less than 40 minute player. I am not confident we have the props. the back row and locks should all be okay. If fit then Thrush is very good.
MitchO
Guest
Rodda, Lucas and Hockings legged it without any help from us. But in all seriousness, we let you have Richard Graham back.
Ex force fan
Guest
Tell me how you will prevent Twiggy paying players what he wants to if the players play in his competition. Rugby Australia have no mechanism to prevent this as we are not playing in your Superugby competition....
ScottD
Roar Guru
Well we can bank the win against NSW. Not so much the others ????
ScottD
Roar Guru
I don't see Jooste playing 10. More like 13 or 15
ScottD
Roar Guru
Well it's true that he shouldn't have been needed and now that Cheika is gone maybe he can be dispensed with.
Ex force fan
Guest
We will struggle to win games and are the underdogs, as even our best locally produced players are playing for the opposition. We have no Wallabies and a mixture of experience and youth with not much depth. However we have an opportunity to showcase our talent and the kind of game we like to play in the GRR. Some players may step up and surprise but it is unlikely that the whole team will consistently produce that performance to compete with players used to playing Superugby and test rugby. We have nothing to proof and nothing to loose.
In brief
Guest
Swap the name Force for Waratahs and your post starts making a lot of sense..
In brief
Guest
Who wants to live in Brizbane - can’t blame them for leaving
PC
Guest
Well we shall all shut up then Waxhead, you have spoken.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Northern Pom I don't agree with lots you say :stoked: The Force had to be ditched from SR cos they weren't competitive for all except their final season. And then only because they started to finally show some true grit with the axe hanging over them. By then it was 10 yrs too late. Plus they were bankrupt and RA couldn't afford them. They had 11 wasted yrs of grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory. Unlikely they'll be competitive this yr again in the Aussie SR comp. Will they even give the Sunwolves a good game - we might find out. As much as it's nice to be able to nurse teams along the commercial realities are it's just not possible anymore. At end of your article you add a laughable talk up of the general Force player strength but don't mention any particular name because ....... there aren't any in fact. Unless Twiggy goes on a buying spree for a new squad. So Force have another chance in 2020. If they can't at least be competitive this yr I don't want to hear anything more about them in pro rugby until we can be confident they are.
Ex force fan
Guest
I would say that we provided them with opportunities to advance their careers that helped them to become better players and earn buckets full of money so that they are well off today. If you like to thank us, it was a pleasure. Now for the inconvenient truth.... If you let us in some Reds players may sign with the Force and play Superugby. If you do not let us in some Reds players will sign with the Force and play GRR. Alternatively as we just seen some promising Reds players may sign up with Japan and play Top League (but then will be lost to Australian rugby). Players will make decisions that they think is in their best interest. RA have no control on the players the Force sign up and even what we are prepared to pay them - they kicked us out. Twiggy has bigger pockets that the whole rugby world put together.... The Reds should create such a superior environment that individuals will forgo lucrative opportunities just to stay at the Reds e.g. as the Crusaders did. Even then you will still loose some players to other franchises just like WA do every single year. The Force and Reds will have a bias towards their locally developed talent as they do. The longer the Force exist the more players will come from WA.
AndyS
Guest
I would guess that tends to happen when two states gobble up all the available development money...