Every Super Rugby preseason I get excited by the potential of the Australian Super Rugby teams, which unfortunately has more often than not found me crashing back to reality by the Kiwis.
This preseason for me is no different, however in recent seasons my enthusiasm has been with the Reds, Brumbies and Waratahs camps who were stacked with the talented 2019 Junior Wallabies.
This season will for sure be compelling viewing to see how this talented group move forward, with a lot of this group now having more than a handful of Wallaby caps, however this preseason I find myself more intrigued by what is happening over at the Rebels and the Force.
Firstly, both teams have put a priority on developing home grown talent which is a real positive.
In July last year, the Rebels announced that eight Rebels’ Under-18s Academy members have been signed to the club’s Super Rugby squad for the upcoming 2022 season.
With the overly popular word “cohesion” being echoed across many rugby corridors it bodes well for the future for the Rebels if they are able to keep a core group of talented players coming through together.
Since the return of the Force into Super Rugby there have been plenty of developments with their pathways system.
The former Crusaders academy boss, Chris Goodman is at the helm of the Senior Academy and in October it was announced that nine players were inducted into the top tier of their 2022 Fortescue Academy program with the aim that they will be ready for the Super Rugby squad in the next few years.
The support of the Force with the now renamed “Western Force Cup”, with ambitions for it to be the premier school-aged rugby competition in the country is also a great development.
Looking at this season I find myself getting carried away by the current playing rosters and their potential.
At the Rebels there is the fringe Wallabies such as Jordan Uelese, Pone Fa’amausili and Trevor Hosea, who with a good season could throw themselves into the international selection mix.
The precocious Carter Gordon steering the side at flyhalf will be compelling viewing and with a couple of injuries his brother Mason could also potentially be in line to debut – I say this quietly but could they be the Australian answer to Beauden and Jordie….
The departure of Marika Koroibete, rather than looking at the negatives of losing a world-class player, does offer an opportunity on the wing for a player such as Ilikena Vudogo who has shone at Junior World Cups a chance to make a name for himself following his move back to union.
Personally I will be watching with anticipation the emergence of Jeral Skelton.
The former Sevens product has been moved from the back row to the centres which should perfectly fit his speed, athleticism and power attributes.
The New Zealand teams have shown the value of having genuine fetchers in the outside backs and should he be able to hone the defensive requirements the centre position demands, the Rebels could have a real winner.
Over at the Force the excitement comes in the additions of Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa and Bayley Kuenzle who each have a real X factor about them.
With the Super Rugby competition starting with Australian domestic matches and the Fijian Drua, the hope is that these three players can be gradually eased into Super level rugby before coming up against the New Zealand powerhouses.
Pasitoa in particular has been a much talked about talent since his schooldays at Nudgee and his return home to West Australia seems to be a trend with the recent recruitment of another highly sought after school talent in Campbell Parata from the Crusaders.
If this trend continues could we see in the coming years Carlo Tizzano and maybe even his Western Australia U15 teammate Tamaiti Williams returning to WA?
For all this fawning over the backs it is worth mentioning the talented young forwards, Bo Abra, Harry Lloyd and Jack Winchester who may not see many minutes this season but do have the perfect opportunity to learn from the experience heads that the Force possess in the front row.
Similarly to Lloyd, who enjoyed a successful stint at the end of last year in Edinburgh, it will be great to see the progress that Ryan McCauley has made following his time with the Exeter Chiefs.
For one I am hoping that 2022 can finally live up to my pre-season anticipation.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Unfortunately, due to border closure issues the Force have just announced that they will be unable to play any practise games prior to the season kickoff. This puts their combinations 2 games behind the rest of the competition from the start. It's a real shame but I think it will be enough to destroy any hopes the Force may have had this year.
Kick n Clap
Guest
TJ, I’m looking forward to see the Farce playing over East this season. Like the saying goes.” Out of sight, Out of mind “. If it’s true, about the border restrictions, it’s a blessing “Thrush” doesn’t play anymore. Taking his “Zimmer- Frame” everywhere would been really expensive on the Internal flights. Fortunately the Real Class & true X-factor players come to life in early March. That’s why Channel 9 came to their senses and paid the “Big Bucks” to keep their strongest “Sporting suit.” Thank the Lord for League.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
jez, have to be some injuries before you see him I reckon. However you don't turn your nose up at 100 internationals when they lob on your doorstep! Even if he never plays he will provide a lot of IP off field.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
There’s a player who should have been asked to stay another year or two.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He’ll definitely bring the experience, hope he can be a bit like Karmichael Hunt was for us.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
He’ll bring a hard nose and experience that squad needs. Having guys like Kearney and Thrush around last year was massive for the young lads coming through.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah. Gutted for Walton. Word on the SMH is they’ll officially announce Roberts tomorrow. Heard Roberts hasn’t played much so expect that means Foketi/Perese in midfield again. Backed up by Roberts, Edmed, Newsome and Warren-Vosayaco. Might mean a chance for Reilly or Pietsch on an edge if other guys need to push in.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself, but I am feeling pretty good about next year! Fines will have a great year at 9 and plays his best rugby in WA. Mataele is a huge buy on the sting, what a season he had for the Crusaders last year. Kuenzle gives us an X-factor option at 10. Callan is a bit more wiser and stronger, FLW is going to be brilliant again, and McCauley should do really well with Timani and Rodda around him after his time at Exeter. Fingers crossed WA government allows fly-in, fly out for professional sports - not holding my breath - as if we have to play the season over East it will be a real shame.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah. Expect he’ll go well. Less sure how Jamie Roberts is going to go for the Tahs.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Crazy that many are from the rugby factory that is Moorabbin Rams. Has to be one of the best producers of talent outside of the big states (NSW, QLD and ACT).
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Hard working players, lacked a game plan and management against the Kiwis but are a solid team. How many games did they lose by 7 or less last year? I think it was like 3-4.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Mataele on the wing is going to be one of the best signings this year for any Oz rugby team at the Force. A back three with him and Toni Pulu on each wing, and potentially McGregor at FB is exciting!
piru
Roar Rookie
Some people think that Australia is bigger than NSW and QLD Radical I know
Tez
Roar Rookie
I Know this is off topic, but I note that 21 year old Joey Walton from the Tahs has suffered another season ending knee injury ..... poor bloke, two seasons in a row. The Tahs have signed ex Welsh international Jamie Phillips as cover. Plus the Tahs have tighted their tight lock cover by signing a young kiwi.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
Currently the rules are 14 days quarantine and no exceptions. I think if the government accepts the fly-in-fly-out during the length of the competition (or until the border rules change again!) then 14 days home quarantine at the end will be the least of the worries.
jameswm
Roar Guru
What about WA teams coming home after playing on the east coast?
Francisco Roldan
Roar Rookie
Hello Hogie...! Excellent look at the Australian game for #SuperRugbyPacific. When I'm not emotionally involved as a fan, I'm always drawn to smaller or less financially powerful teams. I'm not sure this is the case for FOR. I think that the group of Argentine players who worked since 2020 (Cubeli, Miotti, Lezana, Medrano and Montoya) and of which only Santiago Medrano survives today, could awaken my predilection. But once #SuperRugbyAU was released first and #SuperRugbyTransTasman later, some FOR stats were really interesting to me: 84% effectiveness on defense, and quite an effective breakdown, sometimes outperforming even RED. We will certainly have a competitive #SuperRugbyPacific.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
WA teams in multiple sports are asking the government if opposing teams (and maybe even the WA teams themselves) can do fly-in-fly-out like the AFL had managed to do for the last couple of years. But not all stadia have the separation of players and supporters that Optus (Perth) Stadium can achieve.
Mo
Guest
To’omua must have been injured last year but he’s getting old
Mo
Guest
Pasitoa is a west Aussie but it’s great that nudgee gave him a scholarship. Tizzano koteka and Ollie Callan are all go west Aussie 7s. Rona and Ollie Hoskins and longbottom all west Aussies. Big thing was having the force in town. Not going to revisit the cutting the force issue but it did seriously hinder the talent pathway. Godwin and Holmes are wa boys. Force also gave a home to Fines and Lee Warner. Both good enough to make good careers overseas if pushed out of Oz.