The Western Force’s signing spree has continued as they attempt to become a powerhouse of Super Rugby AU.
Andrew Forrest’s Global Rapid Rugby was called off after just one round this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and chief executive of the Hong Kong Rugby Union Robbie McRobbie has already been told the 2021 edition will be scrapped as well.
It means the Force can put their full attention into next year’s Super Rugby AU competition, and they added some Argentinian flair to their squad on Thursday with the signings of Tomás Cubelli and Julián Montoya.
Scrumhalf Cubelli has notched 75 caps for Argentina, including appearances at the World Cup in 2015 and 2019.
The versatile playmaker is well-acquainted with Australia, having spent two seasons with the ACT Brumbies.
Montoya made his international debut against South American rivals Uruguay as a 19-year-old and went on to be part of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup squads.
The hooker has played 59 times for Argentina, including a stellar hat-trick performance against Tonga at the 2019 World Cup.
He also scored a Super Rugby hat-trick against the Queensland Reds earlier this year.
“Every region plays rugby in different ways and has a different style. I think these players will suit the Force style of play but will also be able to add something special to help us stand out from the competition,” Force’s head of rugby Matt Hodgson said.
The Force lost all eight games this season to finish last in the inaugural Super Rugby AU campaign.
But they have since embarked on a massive signing spree, which has netted the likes of Irish legend Rob Kearney and Wallabies duo Tevita Kuridrani and Tom Robertson.
The Force have also re-signed key players such as Kieran Longbottom, Ian Prior, Brynard Stander, Greg Holmes, Kyle Godwin and Marcel Brache on new deals.
Rumours are rife the Force could leave the Australian set-up in 2022 to join the New Zealand competition.
The Perth-based franchise says reports the Force have agreed in-principle to join the NZ competition are mere speculation.
Billionaire mining magnate Forrest had huge hopes for GRR, but the shutdown of most international borders means the competition simply can’t go ahead for the foreseeable future.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Yes, they are 3 really good signings imo. Good to see those lads staying. They will do well here.
ScottD
Roar Guru
No doubt what you say is correct and I am certainly not bagging the boys. They did a great job! BUT: I don't want us to be "in the mix", I want us to be the best so we need to not accept 2nd best at any level. That means the lads that make it into the team are there because they're good enough not because we couldn't get someone better. It's a hard way of looking at it but it's the only way WA rugby will go to the next level it has to be at.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
I suppose it depends on whether there's an NRC (or similar). The GRR level was similar to NRC; arguably a bit lower in 2019, but that was the first year for many of these clubs - they'd have improved in their second year. But if there is an NRC, is there space for a GRR, too? You'd expect that all the Australian NRC teams would prefer to play in the national comp (lower costs for travel) but BoP were talking about the GRR and having a NZ side, so maybe Sydney, Brisbane (even Perth?) could enter sides in each comp. Sydney and Brisbane do like to remind us that they produce the majority of the players, so maybe they put 1 or 2 teams in the NRC and one in the GRR. Or, to reduce RA travel costs even further, the NRC loses both Perth and Fiji (who play in the GRR) and puts teams in, say, Adelaide and Newcastle. This loses some of the 'National' part of the NRC, but would be easier on costs. In the meantime, the GRR has sides in: Perth, BoP, Fiji, Samoa, HK, Beijing, KL, Singapore. That's 3 derbies set up and a quasi-Bledisloe!
Ex force fan
Guest
ScottD, if we played some games at home this year we could have upset a couple of teams. I do not think we were even as far as 10% of the mark in some games there were not much in it until the final 15 minutes. The results favoured the teams that played at home so we have to wait for a proper home and away season - that is if we play next year.
Ex force fan
Guest
At least if they are targeting the Reds again Would be good to get the ex Future Force and WA developed youngster that the Reds signed, Jack Hardy back in Perth through. The Force players are required to spend a lot of time with the local club community that includes skills training etc, so the internationals will contribute more than just on the field. Players like Grant has been pretty valuable to get the next generation developed. In the end we should be a WA based team with players that wants to make Perth their home. As Perth is far away, this is likely to be players that have close family in Perth.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Ralston benefitted a lot from playing in SRAU this year. He shows some real potential if he can keep getting some high-level game time which I don't think GRR was going to do for him.
Ex force fan
Guest
The Western Force just announced that backs Brad Lacey, Jack McGregor and Byron Ralston have signed on for another two years. Lacey is WA developed, happy for him, hope he develop into a more complete player with more arrows in his quaver, McGregor is an exciting prospect but Ralston is in my view the most significant as he has potential to play for the Wallabies. Still waiting to sign some quality locks and bring some ex WA players to Perth.
ForceFan
Roar Rookie
I don't think the prospect of having to rebuild GRR after Covid 19 is an issue. From recent discussions, Andrew Forrest has lost none of his passion to build GRR in the Asia - Pacific region. His net worth has almost tripled recently and this year's dividend from FMG was >$1 Billion. I also think that Forrest still has a desire to help RA - providing the conditions are to his liking but it will need a total rebuild of the board and governance structure and new management of the professional game in Oz.
KCR
Roar Rookie
Cheers
jeznez
Roar Guru
Everything pales into insignificance compared to not being able to host the 7’s this year. But yes, running that investment again is not a prospect they’d entertain lightly.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I'm not saying we haven't got high quality loosies already but I do think we need one more if we want to be a potential SR winner. And at the end of the day, no team should aim for less. I'm tired of my team being considered "just competitive" but not really good enough. Our team was 10% behind all the other teams in Australia this year. If we improve by only 10% we will just be in the mix. We need to improve by 30% and unfortunately to do that will require some hard and maybe unpopular decisions.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Just a Typo. Definitely: South China Tigers (=HK) China Lions
KCR
Roar Rookie
An article I read about SR Aotearoa referred to a team called the South China Lions, which I figured was just a typing error. Has there been talk of a merger between the Tigers and Lions or was this just a typo?
terrykidd
Roar Pro
and I don't think they have finished yet
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
At least if they are targeting the Reds again, they're not leaving which reflects well on Thorne. But I do hope that the reliance on so many older and/or non-Australian players won't be for too long as it just reinforces the perception that we don't have the player depth to provide five competitive teams.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
Exciting signings. Next step - fly half has been a long term issue for the WA side at Super level - I can't recall them having someone who could really get a backline sparking. They really have to get a strong signing there.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Perhaps we could get one of the high quality loosies poached from us.
AndyS
Guest
Disappointing there hasn't been the opportunity for a Sino-derby yet, given the prevailing politics. Could have been one of the big rivalries...
ScottD
Roar Guru
thanks
jeznez
Roar Guru
China Lions is the mainland team, they have the relationship with BOP and are in discussion with NZR. South China Tigers is the HK team and are effectively out. Makes a lot of sense on many levels. HK Premiership and national team is much stronger than mainland. They are the source of the majority of players for Tigers. We’ll carry on with our Premiership and promoting the HK side. HK keeps getting close to making the RWC finals. Lost out to Canada in the Repechage last time and Uruguay in 2015. We are close. Meanwhile China doesn’t have the same local club comp. Hard to compare a high level city comp vs massive nation without the depth. The cynic in me says Twiggy is also motivated by the nation he sells his iron ore to. But that to me is by the by, could be utterly huge for rugby globally if rugby grows in mainland China. That is hugely worthwhile in and of itself.