Western Force legend Matt Hodgson says people would still write off his team even if they boasted a glut of Wallabies and international stars.
They’ve been written off as wooden spoon contenders in the betting markets but former Wallabies flanker Hodgson says people will be pleasantly surprised by how many wins the Western Force rack up this year.
The Force were winless in last year’s Super Rugby AU campaign but have since embarked on an audacious recruiting spree that has netted them a host of internationals.
Irish fullback Rob Kearney headlined the recruitments, with Argentinian quartet Tomas Cubelli, Tomas Lezana, Santiago Medrano and Domingo Miotti adding further international experience.
Former All Blacks duo Richard Kahui and Jeremy Thrush have re-signed from last season, while Wallabies duo Tevita Kuridrani and Tom Robertson have come on board.
Star inside centre Kyle Godwin knocked back the opportunity to play with the NSW Waratahs in order to sign a new two-year deal with the Force.
Despite the impressive recruiting spree, the Force are rated alongside the Melbourne Rebels in some betting markets as favourites to take out the wooden spoon in Super Rugby AU.
The Brumbies are warm favourites to defend their title with the Queensland Reds rated as their biggest challengers.
Hodgson, a Force legend who is now their head of rugby, believes the team will prove the doubters wrong.
“I think if we named 30 Wallabies in our squad we’d still be bottom of the betting market,” Hodgson said.
“So no I’m not surprised.
“But I think we use it as a benefit to us. We focus on what we can do here in WA.
“No one really from the outside looks in until Game 1. We’re happy with the way we’re tracking. We’re going into Round 1 confident.
“I think people will be pleasantly surprised by how many games we win and also the style of rugby we play moving forward.”
The Force looked doomed when they were cut from Super Rugby ranks in 2017.
But the Perth-based franchise is now seen as the financial shining light of Australian rugby after being saved by billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest and invited back into the fold.
The Force are determined to build the foundations for long-term success, and that plan gained momentum this week with the unveiling of the Fortescue Western Force Academy.
The aim is for home-grown talent to progress through the academy to become an integral part of the Force and eventually push for Wallabies honours.
“Before we got removed from Super Rugby we would have had ten or 12 (local) players in the main squad, and we want to grow that again to have 50 per cent, 60 per cent of local talent playing for the Western Force,” Hodgson said.
“I want a six-year-old to go down there and say, ‘I want to play for WA, I want to play for the Force’.”
piru
Roar Rookie
looks like we might be alright
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yet to see him be fit in his career so wouldn't be expecting it in 2021.
Markus
Roar Rookie
I also saw that Abra's Force profile has him listed as a scrumhalf. He probably won't be able to leapfrog Cubelli for the starting spot, but at 115kg he could really provide some impact off the bench sniping from the base of the ruck. He played for the Vikings in the NRC and seemed solid, covered loosehead at times as well as tighthead, that versatility might see him get some good time off the bench behind the old heads like Holmes and Longbottom.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
My opinion is going to be hugely biased but a couple thoughts for my fellow punters: - Understand we have pulled in a lot of internationals, however we still have 9-10 homegrown + announced brand-new academy program. Think I read Brumbies only have 7 homegrown players. - The Argies are a stop-gap. Most I think will be here for 1 year (Cubelli joining Montoya at Leicester for example after the Super season) giving the Force a bit more time to lure back some more Oz players from abroad (Latu, Rodda, Walsh, etc. who are on last year of their Euro contracts) and build up a couple more local lads into Super standard. Kearney come for lifestyle change and can see him staying around another season before maybe joining Force's coaching ranks. Jake Ball will be massive when he arrives as we need someone to replace Thrush next year. - I think this is going to be a defining season for Sampson, top 3 for Super AU and we need to skittle one or two NZ teams in the Trans Tasman. - Love to see what Ralston and Kuridrani will do with the Argies feeding them out the halves. - We are missing some firepower and class in the pack, but it's a vast improvement on last year. - Tipping a 3rd place for our boys ahead of Tahs and sadly Rebels to come last. Can't see us doing the business against Brumbies in Canberra or Reds at Suncorp.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
My thoughts immediately turned to the Force when I heard the news mate! Hopefully you guys can nip it in the bud quickly and we can get on with an undisrupted season - still have nearly three weeks before kickoff.
Big Dog
Guest
Couldn’t agree more, Rhys. I thought Fergus may have squeaked his way into last year’s Wallaby squad on the strength of his terrific season playing at 6 for the Force. He’s fast, tough, has decent hands and I really think he should be taken on as a project in the wider Wallaby squad. I only see him getting better and better. Back row is his position at the top level, I reckon.
piru
Roar Rookie
May have spoken too soon! Hopefully this lockdown is only 5 days as planned, everyone seems to be taking it seriously so fingers crossed
Ray
Guest
There are too many international players being signed, for me to be happy. I think all teams should be limited to a max of 2 on the field at any time. Same with BBL, as I don't want to watch English players learn how to play in Australia
piru
Roar Rookie
Looking Forwards to more disappointing losses? Their record speaks volumes!! Unlike your comments, which have all the substance of an empty can rolling down a hill
gatesy
Roar Guru
I can see the Tahs as wooden spooners, this year.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Hanigan has gone.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Having just read the thread I have no idea how they will go. I am just hoping they step up and increase the competition in Aus. Hard to put a team together and be successful in the first season and they have a lot of new players. Big test for Samson's coaching.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
They took it to them all last year and will be better. I have the third behind the Brumbies and Reds.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
And with the announcement of open borders from next week with Queensland and Victoria, I think you guys will get some solid home game crowds to get behind the team!
BledisloeAsUsual
Guest
Hope they go well! Possibly have the best 9-10 in Super AU, if the forwards can scrap to parity, look out. Ralston is going to love running sweet lines off the Argentine playmakers. Will make him look very good. Reminiscent of when Maddock’s looked like a genius running off Quade. I have a soft spot for Jake McIntyre though and think he deserves another chance somewhere in Aus. He’s developed a reliable kick in the northern hemisphere, good for a grind game. Hard to seeing him getting on the field though with Lance in front of him. I’d say it’ll just be when the Argentines leave for international duty.
Kick n Clap
Guest
Looking Forwards to more disappointing losses? Their record speaks volumes!!
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Fergus is tough though, even if he's a bit undersized for lock, has far more mongrel than Hanigan. I think he's a better 6 than lock though but all our teams are facing that same problem right now. It'd be good if they could try lure back a lock or two from Europe for next season.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
So bloody happy for the Force, I will be barracking for all 5 teams but I think I they’ll get a bit of extra support from me. Would LOVE to seem them at least contest the final.
MO
Guest
Robertson has been a test player and apart from his scrummaging at tighthead I thought he was up to standard. His around the ground work was good. I think his scrum work at loosehead is fine. So for me that gives him a shot at Wallaby level. I don't like Sio's scrummaging. Love Bell's running and he probably will lock down that bench spot but there may be a window when he's still not ready for a good pack like the Saffers. Ready was knocking on the test door before he probably decided to stop working. Perhaps I should have said "Wallaby level" rather than "test level" because they are not always the same.
MO
Guest
As an 8 man unit I reckon they'll work well. Medrano really gives some more (young) legs to that pack. Ball coming in would mean Thrush can play more a support role rather than being the star lock. I reckon 35 yo Thrush is probably better than 34 yo Wykes. LeeWarner is not big but neither is Hanigan. I don't know how well Koteka will go but he should do his job. Then Cubelli and Miotti as the halves are a step up from last year and whilst old Prior and Lance are solid. McGregor is a very good NRC/GRR 15 who has the pace if not the size to play super rugby. We need Ball to sign on and we hope TK and Ready have good seasons. They are the guys we know have proper ability.