The Western Force have landed an impressive signing coup with Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa heading home to Australia after three years in France.
First revealed by The Roar last July, the 28-year-old has 14 Wallabies caps and will join the Force after spending the past three seasons playing in France with Montpellier, where he played 56 times in the Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup.
Paenga-Amosa previously spent four years with the Queensland Reds from 2018 to 2021 and his signing will be a welcome gift for Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt with resources stretched at No.2.
The signing comes on the heels of the Force recruiting Kurtley Beale, with Wallabies Ben Donaldson and Nic White joining in the off-season.
Western Force general manager of rugby Matt Hodgson said in a statement: “We’re delighted to have Brandon commit to the Force on a long-term basis.
“We are committed to building squad depth in all positions and Brandon adds to our hooker options. He brings quality, pedigree and experience domestically and internationally, so he’ll add plenty to the group.
“We know Brandon is excited by the Force project that we’re building and he’s very motivated to get back into the Wallabies set-up with a view to next year’s British and Irish Lions tour and the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”
Brandon Paenga-Amosa in action during an Australian Wallabies training session at Wesley Playing Fields on September 01, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Paenga-Amosa said in the statement that he was attracted by the Force’s long-term vision and the opportunity to work with head coach Simon Cron.
He also said boosting his Wallabies aspirations was a factor too, having last worn the gold jersey in the 2021 Rugby Championship.
“I’m so keen to be back in Australia, it’s home,” Paenga-Amosa said. “I’m really excited to be a part of the Force set-up, especially working with Crono and the lads that are there.
“Returning to Australia and putting my hand up for the Wallabies again was a big attraction after three seasons in France with Montpellier.
“I’m big on culture both on and off the field, so adding to the culture that is already being established is one of the key focus points for me.”
Paenga-Amosa will arrive in Australia in June at the conclusion of the French Top 14 season.
Cec
Roar Rookie
It just should be even across the board as you always need two teams to create game content, whether that’s #1 vs #12 or #2 vs #3 on a given night. Can’t scrum on your own…
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Not a Force fan so don't care if the Force are cellar dwellers or are winning tittles. What do you call teams in SRP who have more RA top ups than everyone else. If the Tahs weren't so inept they might be able to buy titles but currently its good money after bad. Imagine if the Force could write off $1m in wages because RA and private backers were covering that part of the deal. Currently SRP is 2 teams who get no share of the competition money (drua and MP), two who get very little Union top up (Force and Landers) and then you have the other 8 who give out how uncompetitive some of those 4 teams are,
Cec
Roar Rookie
Like I said, if it’s just about buying titles then don’t wait 10yrs. JPN is there now so off you go. Unless you think SRAU and SRNZ teams would ever grant your xmas wish. Sounds more like a pipe dream :laughing:
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Twiggy loves the force and if spending $10m on wages got him SR titles regularly then he would. Not sure why he would pay for other teams who can overspend and then RA just wipe their debt out. RA is happy to pay extra to the east coast teams to have better squads. I doubt that the 1.5m Joe wage is all being included in the Tahs SR wage bill so why not even the field.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Hey perhaps Twigs can over spend 5mil for all teams, if it’s truly about moving all of AUS Rugby forward.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Its why I wish RA and NZR did the same as the IRFU. There are about 15 central contracts and its up to teams to offer more if they want to (in Europe you need a starter to cover these players as they get rested more). After that the IRFU gives each team a set amount to spend on wages. Connacht spend very little above this amount while Leinster's wages is probably only 30-40% covered by the IRFU money. It is why Leinster have signed RG Snyman to battle it out with James Ryans, Ryan Baird and Joe McCarthy for a starting spot, and Jordie Barrett who will but up against Keenan and Henshaw for the starting 15 and 12 spot. There are rumours Taniela Tupou might come to fight it out with Tagh Furlong at Tight head. RA and NZR just need to do the french model of finance which is no debt can be carried over so if Force overspend by $5m then Twigy needs to pay the $5m and clear all the debt, avoids the Rebels situation.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Okay fair. Would love to see total funds & loans sent to Tahs over 30yrs and work out if it’s money well spent. Another 2.1mil coming right up with two teenage debutants.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Just pointing out like in most things in Super Rugby those who do good think their teams are on the same wage spend as the other teams. Until they all spend the same then they can't all be expected to perform the same.
Cec
Roar Rookie
If it’s all glum and unfair for your Force then there’s the door. Take it to JPN 1. Why wait 10yrs?
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
What Rules. The Cap of $5m or whatever it is. RA don't even keep that rule as there are loads of players getting wages over and above what is counted in the Cap, same in New Zealand. Which two teams get the least amount of money outside cap, Highlanders and Rebels, the two who struggle every year. Like many you think that RA and NZR putting themselves into Financial trouble is ok even though it can bring down the whole tree, but Billionaires doing it with one club that can be replaced is bad. Sky have said they can't pay the same money for the broadcast deal that they did last time, if its down $10m then where do they cut. We all know about RA financial issues. IF the Financial Statements come out around the same time as last year we only have about another two weeks to see if there are issues and how bad they are. Currently if only 1 SRP sided was going to be around in 10 years if they had to keep spending as they are Force would be my bet.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Ah okay kinda like premier league soccer. So everyone find their billionaire and all will be sweet. :thumbup: Perhaps just move the Force to JPN 1 if the other SRP teams decline your suggestion. If you don’t want to play by the rules then just leave. That’s a win-win isn’t it?
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Because it comes down to money. Rebels can't afford what they currently pay neither can the Tahs which is why RA took over one and the other is fighting to not be closed down. Brumbies are struggling financially so they can't afford more without putting them in trouble. Maybe the Reds but I don't think they can afford it. Force are happy to spend more so why not let them. Put it in the deal that the Force wages must be covered and can't be added to debt and problem solved. Currently you have a team like the force trying to get players that other teams need thus driving up the cost. If they could sign whoever they wanted from Os then I am sure they would be more competitive and having two NZ teams at the foot of the table would put to bed if Oz has the strenght for 5 teams.
piru
Roar Rookie
Sometimes you're too close to the problem!
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I think Matt Faessler has been a better hooker than anyone we've had in a long long time. I'd be disapointed if he's leapfrogged by BPA or someone else who's just come back.
AndyS
Roar Rookie
Not that surprising though...they'd need to pull their head out of it, to see it for what it was.
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Been dying for an excuse to say: LETS GO BRANDON!
Olly
Roar Rookie
That is what I understand
Cassandra
Roar Rookie
I he's arriving in June I assume that means he'll be in contention for the Wallabies this year?
Cassandra
Roar Rookie
I remember an American team touring once - years ago. They must have converted a QB into the guy to throw into the lineout because he was able to throw the ball to the other side of the field where it was caught by the visually unimpaired openside winger.
piru
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately RA couldn't find their backside with two hands and a torch