The Western Force open their campaign against their rivals the Melbourne Rebels on Saturday night.
For many, the first game will be pivotal in their overall chances in 2023.
Neither side is stacked with internationals, particularly the Force, but new coach Simon Cron has added some experience to the group in Folau Fainga’a, Michael Wells, Hamish Stewart, Bryce Hegarty and Chase Tiatia.
None of the aforementioned names are world beaters, but they’re solid, Super Rugby hardened players who have plenty of years in front of them.
The question is whether they can click together from the outset, with the majority of them to likely start in the opening round.
Simon Cron (R) wants the Force to improve their “mindset”. Photo Jenny Evans/Getty Images
Cron values the communication and experience in the backfield that Tiatia provides and it’s why the former Chiefs and Hurricanes outside back is likely to find himself in the No.15 jersey ahead of Jake Strachan.
“Chase brings a couple of things for us,” Cron explained.
“He brings leadership, he’s got a calm head in the back field and he’s got a lot of communication, which is an area we need to better at when the ball is in play.”
Cron wasn’t able to lure a headline act to the side, not yet anyway, but there’s pace in the back three and the key for the Force will be keeping fit.
Who wears the No.10 jersey will be fascinating, with Queensland recruit Stewart the front-runner but Hegarty and Bayley Kuenzle options too. Young gun Reesjan Pasitoa is set to miss the season after his knee injury last year.
Former Force captain Feleti Kaitu’u has some work to do if he wants to return to the starting side. Photo Joe Allison/Getty Images
The return of Santiago Medrano is a big addition for the Force.
Cron was fuming when he found out Medrano was leaving but after Worcester Warriors’ messy exit from the English Premiership, the Force managed to lure the Pumas prop back to Perth.
As for up front, Cron has depth at hooker too with Fainga’a joining fellow Test-capped rake Feleti Kaitu’u, who will be wanting to return to the form of 2021 that won him Wallabies selection.
Former Reds inside back Hamish Stewart has moved to the Force and wants to wear the No.10 jersey. Photo: Dan Peled/Getty Images
How the Force turns gallant performances into victories is the great question.
It’s why Cron is eager to work on the “mindset” with his new club.
“We chatted a little bit around mindset,” Cron responded on Wednesday when asked what the first thing he did when he arrived at the club.
“So there’s a couple of areas to work on: there’s skill-set, mindset and structure, so what our approach was to how we’re going to train and who we’re going to train with and who we’re going to push ourselves against.”
Here is our predicted Force side to take on the Rebels in Perth:
15: Chase Tiatia
14: Manasa Mataele
13: Sam Spink
12: Bayley Kuenzle
11: Toni Pulu
10: Hamish Stewart
9: Issak Fines
8: Michael Wells
7: Ollie Callan
6: Tim Anstee
5: Jeremy Williams
4: Izack Rodda
3: Santiago Medrano
2: Folau Fainga’a
1: Tom Robertson
Reserves:
Feleti Kaitu’u, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu Jr, Jackson Pugh, Ian Prior, Bryce Hegarty Jake Strachan
AndyS
Guest
So just to be clear, are you are saying that the Shute Shield and its players aren't good enough to play Super Rugby, or just that anyone playing in it shouldn't be allowed to pursue professional careers?
Malo
Guest
They should be called the baa baas. They are basically all Shute shield players from across the earth who can’t make nsw or qld
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes I agree
John Ferguson
Expert
I think per this article and the talent especially at 10 for both teams and possibly 12 they should be fine this year.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Top 8 has to be the goal. The year is a failure if they miss
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I didn't see the game. Where the lack of class has been most evident for the Force (and Rebels) has been in the 10/12/13 space so would be good if there was somebody there to create
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
That is a solid team, apart from Rodda no out and out stars, but all solid and good players.
Christy Doran
Editor
Jackson Pugh's a good, young player. Plenty to like about him. It wouldn't surprise if Hamish Stewart spends a lot of time at 12 throughout the year. Prior's game-smarts and passing were features last week. Fines has to play to his strengths and play heads-up rugby. His pace is a massive point of difference.
Christy Doran
Editor
Nice comment, mate. Can't let the Fijians free their arms. Gotta hit and stick. But it was a good hit out for them.
piru
Roar Rookie
His goal kicking can't be ignored either
jameswm
Roar Guru
So good to hear that about Rodda. When you add Rodda, Frost, Skelton, LSL, Philip, Arnold - lock is not a place we are short on quality players.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Decent tight 5, better than Tahs on paper. Elsewhere though... To be fair, back row not bad either. Wells was so reliable when at the Tahs, very solid player.
piru
Roar Rookie
The real question is after 17 years of mediocrity and waste Depends where you sit - if you're completely ignorant of WA rugby (as you show continuously that you are) you really have no place making a judgement, are they developing the majority of their own players ? We're working on it, and of course in bringing home the players we had been developing that all moved after we were axed by the geniuses up in ARU It remains the expat XV feasting on the revenue of the heartland who are now broke. Yes so horrible of the Force to offer young players the chance to play rugby professionally, they should stay in the 'heartland' for nothing to... somehow stop it going broke? A culture of entitlement and failure at the core of its ethos. As opposed to a culture of semi literate rage such as yours? on your bike you nitwit
piru
Roar Rookie
We hear that every year though and generally manage at least one or two big upsets a year - the issue isn't capability it's consistency imo
John Ferguson
Expert
Did you see Spink's pilfer work as well as then turnover penalty? Grat to watch, very Danty (from France).
piru
Roar Rookie
Personally a little bit disappointed Strachan looks to be getting benched - mainly because it feels a lot like a common (in the past) Rugby WA club practice of 'get a new Kiwi coach in and he brings over all his favourite NZ players and benches the locals.' Professional level is a completely different kettle of fish though and happy to wait and see if Cron gets what he wants out of Tiatia. Nothing like a bit of competition for spots
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
How is that the real question? They're a professional sporting team. Not a local rep team.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
With Pasitoa out, none of the flyhalf options look too flash to me. Stewart has never played well at 10, and was far from convincing in the trial match last week. Stewart and Kuenzl make such a weak 10/12 axis, which is a shame because Spink at 13 was easily the best player on the field. Hegarty is a journeyman who clearly prefers fullback, but until Pasitoa is back perhaps they're better off with him at 10 and Stewart providing the defensive organisation at 12 like he did at the Reds. Spink needs to be given some space on the attack, and the wings are more than capable of finishing the job. Kuenzl is bench at best.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Coleman’s primary focus at the Tahs when he came in was defence and culture. You’d hope Cron wouldn’t deviate far from that model. D needs to in place or nothing else matters
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Overall, the predicted team looks pretty down on cattle. What can Cron do ? Looks like another tough year for the Dutch Discards. Hopefully, they go better than anticipated !