A 57-5 scoreline tells us what many of us feared.
While at the start of the season the universal ‘rustiness’ evened the playing field, it is evident that as the likes of the Reds found their form the Western Force have simply lacked the depth to keep up.
Considering the obvious disadvantages facing the club in recruiting over the past few years, this is totally understandable and forgivable. Come 2021, however, and the public will be less forgiving.
So if Twiggy is serious about making his club more than a force in name only, here are some of the names that need to find their way onto his list.
Now, before we start, of course some of these players have signed contracts into 2021. But let’s be realistic: contracts don’t mean much any more, especially in a time of COVID-induced pay cuts.
So here are the players who need to be running around in blue and gold next year.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/Getty Images)
Will Skelton
Want to endear yourself to the entire Australian rugby community? Bring this guy home.
Signed with French club La Rochelle until the end of 2021, it would take a bit of work to get the 28-year-old back into Wallabies contention, but replays of him bursting through the defensive line in the Waratahs 2014 semi-final reminds us all of just how much he brought in the crowds. He would immediately add some character and intimidation to your forward pack.
Izack Rodda
This is a difficult one for me. As an Australian rugby fan I find it difficult not to resent Izack for walking out on his country when he was asked to take the same pay cut that every other player in the country was taking.
But with that said, I think back to when I was 23 and some of the stances and actions I took then, and I find myself wanting to offer this young man a chance to prove to his country that he was who we all believed him to be.
Packing down with the Western Force would be an opportunity for Rodda to save face by returning to Australian rugby without having to turn to any of the clubs that ruled out offering him respite in 2020.
But more than anything, how’s that for a second-row pairing to build a forward pack around?
Reesjan Pasitoa
Rugby fans have been talking about this kid for a while, and for good reason. The problem for rugby fans, though, is: when are we going to see this kid play No. 10 for the Brumbies, let alone Wallabies?
The Brumbies have an absolute embarrassment of riches in the No. 10 department, Noah Lolesio and Bayley Kuenzle are both really strong players, both with genuine Wallabies aspirations.
How long can the Brumbies keep this future star playing in development games? He’ll be 20 next year – time to let him shine on the big stage, Twiggy.
Ryan Lonergan
This will be the last player I suggest stealing from the Brumbies, I promise. But just like at flyhalf, the Brumbies have embarrassing depth at No. 9, and it’s just got deeper with the addition of Nic White.
Lonergan is probably one of the most impressive goal kickers I’ve seen in Australian rugby in years, and it’s an asset that makes him a future Wallabies contender. But I feel it might be up to the Western Force to give him the game time he needs.
(Photo by Daniel Carson/Getty Images)
Carlo Tizzano
Bringing this dynamic flanker back into Western Force colours would be all the sweeter because he’s a genuine product of Western Australia.
The 20-year-old was impressive during trial games but has struggled to find any game time thanks to a dependable and in-form Waratah’s back row.
Hooper isn’t going anywhere any time soon and – touch wood – rarely gets injured.
Time to bring this kid home, Twiggy.
Isaac Lucas
Like Rodda, I initially had mixed feelings about letting this kid back into the fold. But on a personal level I’ve had the privilege of playing alongside one of his brothers, and I know their family to be a good one. It is relevant to note just how much the Lucas family have given to Australian rugby over the past ten years.
Lucas would be electric at No. 15 for a young Western Force team, and Twiggy has the opportunity to offer this kid an olive branch – no pun intended – on behalf of Australian rugby.
Now add to these players some the exciting young guns who have shown themselves to be equal to Super Rugby in 2020 as well as some of the experienced heads that Twiggy has already brought back and suddenly a Western Force squad sounds not just exciting but intimidating.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
You guys have always felt like the red headed step child out there in the west. Rugby WA did a good job and giving them the chop was a bad move. I like having 5 teams again.
Olly
Roar Rookie
yes RA are and they have dumped them one time and will do again if needed...that is what professional leadership does.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Yes but he does not want to just pee it up a wall. Only fools think funding just keeps coming for free...that is a failed start up attitude.
piru
Roar Rookie
The better plan would be to get rid of the underperforming code which sucks up so much talent and resources.
piru
Roar Rookie
Cowan was just barely SR standard in his prime. What does that say for the Wallabies then?
piru
Roar Rookie
Frankie Dungbeetle, Seems you don’t actually know anything about the two codes in Perth & WA. Doesn't stop you talking nonsense from both ends, pretty rich of you to complain about it
piru
Roar Rookie
I like the Force but I would also only give them two seasons to show significant improvements. Otherwise I would cut them. Good job you're not in charge of anything then
piru
Roar Rookie
The force fans have been a bitter bunch since before they got the chop All due respect - but shove it
piru
Roar Rookie
“We have financial backing” is not a goldern parachute. He did not get that wealthy backing the lossing side. The bankrolling won’t last forever… Twiggy doesn't make any money at all in rugby, nor does he expect to - this is one of his philanthropic pursuits.
piru
Roar Rookie
“Those that want to make Perth their home or are from WA.” you might have trouble getting 15 players contracted. cant win many games with 10 players I could find 22 Perth players to put in Force blue tomorrow who'd not get within 50 of a Super side, but would kill themselves trying.
Mario
Guest
Waxhead You mention Friday night's score against the Reds, is this the same "great" Reds team that was soundly beaten by the Waratahs the previous week 45-12? While I agree that the Force need to recruit some players they need to recruit the right types and those are the players that are prepared to give back to the WA Rugby community and help develop local players. Also you forget that if the Force play under the current guidelines then there is a salary cap to take into consideration which I think is currently $5.5m and probably not likely to go up by much. If we take Will Skelton for example he is currently earning GBP400,00/AUD730,000 per year there goes 13% of your cap on one player, even if you get him for the bargain basement price of $500,000 there's about 9% of your cap gone. Do that 3 or 4 times and you have 40% of your cap tied up in a handful of players and you still need to pay the other 30+ blokes a decent wage as well. While someone like Skelton may be eligible for a Wallabies top up which may reduce the cap hit; given RA's financial position would you rely on it? In regards to your only Lance makes the cut, there are can I refer you to https://super.rugby/superrugby/competition-stats/ which shows that 1) Byron Ralston is equal second leading try scorer and equal 7th for clean breaks and in the top 10 for metres carried 2) Henry Stowers is the leading tackler (@92% efficiency) and in the top 10 for carries 3) Jeremy Thrush and Fergus Lee Warner are in the top 5 for line-outs won and top 10 for tackles made. 4) Ian prior is in the top 10 for points scored. There is plenty to build on without having to scrap the team. And who knows where they could be if they had more than the 4 or 5 weeks to prepare for the Super Rugby AU season?
Take the Points
Roar Rookie
Two blokes Id love to see back would be McMahon and Kerevi. Both super exciting to watch, although Id love to see Kerevi in the 13 Jersey as the ball never got past him when he was in 12
Tim Rogers
Roar Rookie
Wouldn’t mind that chump change ????
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
$900M of that was for divis in the first part of the year, $1.1B is the latest. So yes, $2B in total. Not a bad earn.
Tim Rogers
Roar Rookie
News report says he picked up 2billion last night at a received dividend of $1 per share.
Jacko
Guest
More total BS...Where have you been? So many Aus fans hate being beaten by NZ and constantly state it but there is no point in discussing anything with you as you answer differently every time. You dont concentrate on the one topic and end up disagreeing with yourself halh the time
Jacko
Guest
No its a 6th SR side he is looking at not GRR players
Markus
Roar Rookie
Yep, lucked into overseeing the ARU during a Wallabies golden era with two cash cows, all while Rugby League was at its lowest point from all the damage done to itself through the Super League war and the Sydney team mergers.
andrewM
Roar Rookie
League in Perth had a decent sized comp in the 80's and 90's but after the folding of Western Reds it crashed big time. In the past couple of years I've noticed a couple of new clubs popup - the one around the corner from me, The Ellenbrook Rabitohs, is going gangbusters
andrewM
Roar Rookie
Good point about Tizzano -given he was from WA in the first place, why can't the Tahs loan him to the Force?