The Force have made it clear they won’t be wooden spoon holders again in 2021.
With a raft of new talent this year, they’ll be a powerful and experienced side overflowing with International stars like Rob Kearney and Tomas Cubelli, and each will be expected to regularly feature in the starting line-up.
While they didn’t win a game after being welcomed back into the competition in 2020, this year will be different, and their pre-season trial against the Brumbies proved that.
WHO’S IN: Bo Abra, Santiago Medrano, Tom Robertson, Jack Winchester, Ryan McCauley, Tim Anstee, Tomas Lezana, Tomas Cubelli, Michael McDonald, Jake McIntyre, Domingo Miotti, Tevita Kuridrani, Toni Pulu and Rob Kearney.
WHO’S OUT: n/a
ONE TO WATCH: Byron Ralston He was a rising star in 2020 and can only get better with age. A standout in Premier Rugby in Brisbane, followed by on-going accolades at the U20s and then NRC level, Ralston took his Super Rugby debut in his stride.
Leading the Forces score card for tries (4), defenders beaten (12), carry metres (325) and line breaks (4), he’s the winger that every one of his opposite numbers doesn’t want to come up against.
PREDICTION: 4th
Winners aren’t born, they’re made, and this is the attitude which the Force need to maintain.
There’s no doubt the emotion of last season is continuing to carry over and the Force aren’t going to become the competition easy-beats this year. With a swarm of new talent, they’ll be a side that’s in the fight.
2021 Western Force Squad
Bo Abra
Tim Anstee
Marcel Brache
Ollie Callan
Tomas Cubelli
Kyle Godwin
Victor Harris
Chris Heiberg
Greg Holmes
Richard Kahui
Feleti Kaitu'u
Rob Kearney
Kane Koteka
Tevita Kuridrani
Brad Lacey
Jono Lance
Fergus Lee-Warner
Tomas Lezana
Kieran Longbottom
Grason Makara
Ryan McCauley
Jack McGregor
Jake McIntyre
Michael McDonald
Santiago Medrano
Domingo MiottiIan Prior
Jackson Pugh
Toni Pulu
Byron Ralston
Andrew Ready
Tom Robertson
Brynard Stander
Jake Strachan
Henry Taefu
Jeremy Thrush
Angus Wagner
Jack Winchester
