Roar Rookie
Joined September 2018
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With my old Western Force cap on, I sat down on Friday night and watched the Queensland Reds struggle to beat an ordinary Stormers…
Twiggy Forrest and his Global Rapid Rugby advisers are not trying to please the average Roar rugby poster, who would no doubt be a…
A much bigger change in 2022 at the Force than players is the new coaching team. Three new Kiwi assistant coaches i.e. Ozich, Tito and Goodman signed by fairly new Kiwi CEO Tony Lewis.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/western-force-shore-up-coaching-staff-with-two-key-additions-2021913
I have liked the attitude, talk and plans of the CEO Tony Lewis, so I am hoping he has picked the very best up and coming assistant coaches out of NZ to help turn the Force into a real force.
Super Rugby Radar: Hot Rodda a huge in for rising Western Force
I thought the mysterious $40 million loan that is currently propping up the RA probably came from a generous Twiggy. But according to John Stensholt in the Australian newspaper today it comes from Ares Management at more than 10% PA interest and to be paid back from the Lions tour.
“Rugby Australia forced into new $40m loan with US firm Ares Management to shore up financial hole”
The Roar Rugby Project Part 3: Debt, windfalls, lessons learnt, and other myths
Hi ForceFan,
The thoughtful bit for me was JON’s comments comparing his time in soccer when they launched the A-league. The professional soccer franchises were not allowed to be started and owned by the state soccer bodies. So they did not suck all the money out of the grassroots.
Rugby in WA is now in that situation, where Twiggy runs the Force with hand picked professional managers and RugbyWA run and grows community rugby.
Introducing The Roar Rugby Project: Your turn to help forge a thriving sport for all
Rugger, There is a massive amount of coaching and nurturing of home grown young players going on in WA at the moment. Many of those should be hitting their straps by 2027.
The Force is subject to the same salary cap and squad size restrictions as the other 4 Aus sides, but are attracting some young talent from outside of WA, who dont blow our cap or squad numbers as we develop them.
Australia gets 'preferred candidate' status to host 2027 Rugby World Cup
IBM? Strongest IT company in 1960’s and 1970’s, but not anymore. Sounds like Sydney and NSW in rugby.
Perth – terrific stadium, growing rugby population, and vastly superior time zone.
Australia gets 'preferred candidate' status to host 2027 Rugby World Cup
Lets have the RWC final in Perth in 2027.
– great new stadium
– more time zone friendly for mass TV audiences in Europe/Africa.
– Bledisloe sell out crowd during Covid travel restrictions have demonstrated the passion for rugby in the West.
– rugby is growing faster in WA than any other state. A RWC will really blow AFL off the headlines.
– by 2027 half of the Wallabies team will likely be from the Force anyway !!!!!
Australia gets 'preferred candidate' status to host 2027 Rugby World Cup
Bottom line, is the Wallabies gave away a few too many penalties, Poor tackle technique – red card, slapping the ball down – YC, etc.
But yes they also played well.
Why it's not all doom and gloom for the Wallabies
TJ, Rugby in WA is good shape at the moment. e.g. I have been following the progress of the U16 trials series, squad selection, quality squad coaching and final team selection. (as an interested grandfather), Final team of 26 had only 5 boys from inner suburb private schools. The rest are from clubs and mostly from the far northern and far southern suburbs.
I contrast this in my mind with 30 years ago, as an interested father, watching the single trial game and selection of the WA Schools team. Only 1 non PSA schoolboy selected and he had invited himself to the trial game.
Most of these junior clubs providing the bulk of the current U16 and U18/Schools teams from the outer Perth suburbs did not exist 30 years ago.
Great job RugbyWA!
'Trapped in this recurring nightmare': My new plan to resuscitate rugby
Hi Ex, Living in WA for the last 36 years, I have seen Aussie Rules go from the VFL to the AFl and then expand across Australia thanks to their AFL Commission.
Rugby in Australia desperately needs a similar professional commission, rather than the current RA which is controlled by NSW and Qld. If the AFL voting was dominated by 2-3 of Melbourne’s strongest old traditional and biggest clubs, I dont think you would have seen AFL teams from Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney develop and grow strong enough to win their AFL grand final flags.
Rugby's greatest strength can make it Australia's number one international sport
Mean while over in WA, where 3 years ago the RA chopped the Force, before Twiggy stepped in:”With a Membership growth of 60% in 2021, compared to 2020, prospective partners will be delivering their message to a rapidly growing and engaged audience, which includes a social media following of over 176,000. With a 20% rise in rugby participation within Western Australia, this is a fantastic chance to be part of the next golden era of the sport that enjoys national, international, and global exposure :
This could also be Western Sydney, if NSWRU had not knocked back his plan to start a GRR side there.
'Angst, pain and suffering': Penrith boss reacts as club cut from 2022 comp
Brilliantly written Harry.
These Lions series every 4 years are definitely a huge step up in intensity from normal test rugby for the All Blacks, Boks, Wallabies and the Lions.
I remember back in the 1970’s after the Lions had beaten the ABs and Boks, reading a serious suggestion by a rugby journalist in South Africa, that it was time the Lions tours were scrapped, because they were too strong for the southern hemisphere sides.
Thank goodness nearly 50 years later, these tours continue.
Losing all control: The 2021 Lions tour of South Africa
Jeznez, As a Force fan, I admit that I have had my concerns about Rodda coming to the Force with regards team spirit and loyalty etc.
But at the same time I think Sambo and Hodgo seem to be very good judges of character and playing abilities, and weaving new guys into the Force team. I look forward to seeing Rodda singing with gusto along with the Force boys after each win for the next few years.
'I haven't spoken to him': Wallabies lock Rodda has no regrets about walking out on Thorn
Oh dear, Play Up is “Australia fastest growing wagering brand”.
Geoff, this could give meaning to your weekly tipping from now on!
The Wrap: Will Marika Koroibete’s red card be the making of the Wallabies?
Hi Geoff, Great writeup.
I went looking to see who owns The Roar, as I thought there was some connection to Nine Media, but I found it is owned now by Athletes Voice.
AVs website has a mission statement, which is very appropriate to this discussion about News Ltd recent views of rugby. AV say they want “No beat ups. no clickbait, no agenda “. Well worth a read for us Roarers. We are in good hands if they stick to this mission.
The Wrap: Will Marika Koroibete’s red card be the making of the Wallabies?
Alex, Twiggy has said more than once said he is willing to help rugby in other states of Australia as well. However he would like to see some major changes in rugby administration first and something like the independent AFL Commission set up, to wrest Australian rugby from the control of NSW and Qld. Last I heard the RA were actually considering setting up an independent commission. But the question is will NSW and Qld actually release their current deadlock chocking grip on Australian rugby and let in grow like AFL did?
Consolidate to survive: Five teams must become four if Super Rugby is to survive
JC, the RA, NSW and other Australian rugby administrators need to get their to get their financial act together. So they can compete with the overseas money. During the de-Clyne years, there appeared to be a lot of money wasted and poor management and marketing. Our game went backwards.
I have lived in WA for 36 years and have witnessed the growth of VFL, from a Melbourne suburban comp to a national juggernaut AFL comp. The AFL Commission runs their game for the good of their game nationally and not for the good of one or two teams like rugby. Their marketing and media coverage is amazing and generates the TV viewers and sponsorship money to continue to expand their game.
Who gets to wear gold? Why Dave Rennie is right and Marika Koroibete must choose
However DHP also apparently came back to Perth because of Covid in Melbourne and his partner is pregnant. Not sure if she is also from Perth? I think DHP also still has business interests in WA.
So going to Japan from 3-4 months does not tie in with those reasons for moving back to Perth.
Whatever he does, I hope the concussion health issue is over for his future life.
Why the sting is in the tail at lineout time
In this mornings news in Perth, DHP is back in Perth and talking about playing club rugby in WA club to test his recovery. Also talking about possibly playing in Japan. Played his last game for the Rebels.
The Force CEO said he would love to have a chat with him.
Who knows??
Why the sting is in the tail at lineout time
I wonder if anybody has spoken to Twiggy? A little over 12 months ago he was running and funding GRR involving the Force, Fiji, Samoa, Hong Kong, China and Malaysia, before Covid forced its suspension. And was blocked from starting a side in Western Sydney.
Just get out of his way and ask Twiggy to restart GRR with additional sides from NSW, Qld, ACT and Vic.
The coaches want it, and now it seems RA’s appetite for the NRC might be growing
Hi Ex,
I think it is time for you to change your handle to Ex-cited Force Fan. The Force were great this year in Super AU with 4 wins, including over the Reds to make the final. Then coming within a whisker of beating the Chiefs in the first game of TT. Then gave the Crusaders and Blues close games, never giving up.
Thanks I guess to Twiggy, the Force are playing the Bay of Plenty in 12 days time in Perth. So young Ollie Cullen, MacDonald and other Emerging Force members will get to test themselves against the 5-try Wainui winger. So I hope if the RA dont get the NRC up and going in 2022, that the Force can again take the lead and organise more games like this.
On another exciting note, I see the WA U18 side beat NSW U18 43-26 a few days ago, so the rugby talent and depth in WA is growing.
I am EXCITED about the future for the Force.
The Wrap: Five-try Wainui reveals Super Rugby’s bald truth
Antony, “No pushing in scrums ( TMS The Meerkat Syndrome ) “.
That is the biggest one for me. And the Kiwis have known it for years as well. Hold the ball at the 8th mans feet and wait for for Hooper to stop pushing and do his meerkat impersonation. Therefore 8 against 7 pushing. Scrum penalty.
Back to back row: When the going gets tough, the tough get going
As a one of those 9,000-10,000 SoBs that Ex mentions, I am also happy to see some of our fair weather fans starting to return. We had 13,000 plus loud fans at the last 2 homes games, which were at last free of COVID crowd restrictions.
Glad people like JC notice us.
The first Force game 15 years ago at Subiaco Oval against the Brumbies had 35,000 and we had something like 22,000 paid up Force members for a couple of years. When the numbers dropped off a few later, we moved to the current more rugby viewing friendly HBF stadium which has a capacity of 22K. We had good crowds and the place rocked, when the Force were playing well.
Us sports fans are an impatient bunch, and want our teams to win every week.
Hopefully the current trend of Force success and crowd sizes both keep growing steadily each year and the dream of hoisting silverware at the end of years comes true.
What if Australian rugby’s biggest problem is...us?
Sounds good. That is what Twiggy has promoted
The Wrap: New Zealand sides ruthlessly hunt Super Rugby bonus points
Pasitoa is from WA, but received a bursary from Nudgee college for 2 years. Was probably a good a good career move, especially with the Force getting axed by the RA about that time. I glad he has come home to WA.
Also Fines was picked up by the Force to play in NRC and GRR, while they were excluded from Super. He sparked many tries for the Force while Prior was injured. The Brumbies wasted his talents and speed, by not giving him enough game time as their third choice scrumhalf.
REACTION: Aussie legend demands Wallabies call-up for Force 'future star'... but is it too soon?