The Western Force have punted on 20-year-old flyhalf Reesjan Pasitoa to launch their bold ambitions for 2022 against the Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday.
He will bring an exciting mix of passing, running and big kicking to Super Rugby Pacific as well as the longest rat’s tail in Australian rugby.
There are many ways to measure the maturity of sporting franchises set up in states where your code is not the No.1 sport but producing a homegrown playmaker is definitely a big one.
This is a big day on that scale for the Force because Pasitoa was first spotted in the Western Australian Under-16s in 2016.
Finishing school became his three years as a boarder at Brisbane’s Nudgee College where he immersed himself in rugby as well as his studies.
The Brumbies swooped and two seasons in Canberra in 2020-21 have given him an invaluable background to make the most of Sunday’s chance against his old team.
Force coach Tim Sampson feels the youngster of exotic German and Niue Islander heritage is ready to step up.
He will have experienced halfback Ian Prior inside him and former Brumbies squadmate Bayley Kuenzle at inside centre for the 1.35pm (AEDT) kick-off at GIO Stadium.
“Reesjan is just playing with confidence and did extremely well in the trial against Queensland,” Sampson said of Pasitoa.
“Certain players you let them off the leash.
“He’s got a good short pass, a good long pass, he can run the ball, in collision areas he’s more than capable and he can kick.
“He’s no different to other young flyhalves in that game management is the important thing because he has to drive us around the field.”
Kuenzle said he’d noticed a big difference in Pasitoa since he arrived at the Force with his Super Rugby experience at the Brumbies under his belt.
“I’ve noticed a big difference in his confidence around talking, bossing the boys around. He’s coming into his own and I expect him to have a big year,” Kuenzle said.
Pasitoa got the jump on Jake McIntyre who missed the recent trial against the Reds with rib damage.
Kyle Godwin will play at outside centre with former All Black Richard Kahui coming off the bench.
Up front, Wallabies lock Izack Rodda is an impressive addition to the Force pack which is missing former All Black Jeremy Thrush while he recovers from a calf niggle.
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Sampson said he had no worries about Pasitoa, Kuenzle and reserve halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa keeping their cool against their former Brumbies teammates.
“I’m sure going against their former club will feel different in the warm-ups but I think the positives of being comfortable at the stadium and knowing how certain opponents play outweighs that,” Sampson said.
Getting Kiwi coach Mark Ozich on board has sharpened the Force attack so expect to see wingers Toni Pulu and Manasa Mataele roaming off their wings for chances that are created inside.
WESTERN FORCE: Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu'u (c), Santiago Medrano, Fergus Lee-Warner, Izack Rodda, Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Tim Anstee, Ian Prior, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Bayley Kuenzle, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan. Reserves: Andrew Ready, Harrison Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Jake McIntyre, Richard Kahui
