Harry Potter back for South African-bound Force
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Western Force’s 30-player squad for the upcoming three-game tour of South Africa has been named.
It includes several new faces and some in-form Western Australian locals .
The Force will face the Cheetahs, Emerging Ireland and the WP in the three-game tour in October, geared towards playing high-level opposition with international-quality players and South African sides in their own backyard.
The WA team will use the South Africa tour to enhance player and staff development, to explore different roles, to strengthen cohesion and strategy and build genuine relationships through enjoyment.
The playing group features several new signings who’ll get their first opportunity in Force colours headlined by Wallabies lock Darcy Swain, who arrived in Perth a fortnight ago, along with hooker Nic Dolly, dynamic back Divad Palu, versatile forward Josh Thompson and physical back row forward Nick Champion de Crespigny.
“We’ve only had three weeks together to train,” acting Force coach Will Eggleston said.
“We’ve spoken about not wasting a rep, not wasting a minute in the time we have together.
“Cohesion comes with understanding what we’re going after and then doing it with your mates.”
Front row forward Tom Robertson and utility back Harry Potter will both return for the first time following injuries, with the former having missed the entire 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season on sabbatical at Oxford following an ACL injury.
Robertson will link up with the squad in South Africa following his Wallabies duties.
WA products Justin Landman and Dane Sawers have been rewarded with selection following excellent form in the WA Fortescue Premier Grade with premiers Associates and semifinalists Kalamunda respectively.
Outside back Landman scored nine tries for Associates across the 2024 season including one in the Grand Final victory over Palmyra.
Kala and Fortescue Academy back row forward Sawers was part of Australia’s squad at the World Rugby Under-20 Championships in June and July.
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Acting head coach Will Eggleston breaks down the Spring Series squad selection and dishes the latest on some new faces in the squad 🏉
Watch the full interview with Will on Force TV ⬇️https://t.co/tLk1eFbquw pic.twitter.com/jmR3ONM5Nm
— Western Force (@westernforce) September 18, 2024
“These two boys are flying the flag for the Fortescue Premier Grade and showing the pathway,” Eggleston said.
“We’re picking them based on their form and how well they’ve played for their teams.
“Justin has come on in leaps and bounds in the last six months. He’s shown really good form for Associates in a premiership-winning team. He’s gone from strength to strength, so we’re looking to see what he can do.
“We’ve rewarded Dane for another good season with Kalamunda who made the semi-finals but also the Australia Under-20s as well. We’re looking to put him in the furnace in South Africa and see how he goes.”
The Force will utilize the trip to expose five new players with a view to 2025 Super Rugby contracts in Mac Grealy, Coby Miln, Silafono Titiuti, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Sio Tomkinson.
Fullback/wing Grealy, 21, has spent the past four years with the Queensland Reds, playing 26 times and comes to the Force having scored two tries in the Reds’ 35-36 loss to Wales in July. He also scored four tries in five games for UQ in Queensland’s Hospital Cup recently.
Flyhalf Miln comes into the group fresh from winning the 2024 Roscoe Fay Trophy as the NSW Shute Shield highest point scorer with 219 points for Warringah. He was also part of Randwick’s 2023 Shute Shield-winning Grand Final side.
Tighthead prop Titiuti previously spent time with the ACT Brumbies, including touring Japan late last year after a stand-out 2023 John I Dent Cup campaign with the Tuggeranong Vikings for whom he played in their losing Grand Final last month.
Fijian centre Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens previously represented Fiji at Under-20 level and is a tall outside back who has impressed over the past two seasons with Southern Districts in the Shute Shield.
Centre/wing Tomkinson, 28, has spent the past two seasons with Welsh outfit Dragons in the United Rugby Championship, playing 24 games and scoring six tries. He has previous Super Rugby experience with the Highlanders, scoring 14 tries in 43 games along with 17 tries in 59 NPC games for Otago.
“Mac always causes opposition sides headaches,” Eggleston said.
“He’s got high work rate and therefore he always finds himself in the action.
“That’s exactly what we’re looking for in a back-three player.
“He’s proven himself in Super Rugby and he’s a good addition to the squad.
“Coby is a student of the game. He’s got a fantastic kicking game. Top points scorer in the Shute Shield and we like how he backs himself and attacks the line.
“We’ve seen something in Sila. His effective involvements can have a big swing on games. We’re wanting him to come swing those games for us.
“We’ve been tracking Isaac for a while. He missed last year’s series due to an ankle injury so we’re glad to bring him over fully fit. He’s a great attacking weapon who can turn games on their head and has a good eye for some space.
“Sio is very experienced with the Highlanders and the Dragons. He brings experience from a different competition which is important. He’s got a good attacking game but his defence separates him from other players.”
As announced on Tuesday, back row forward Reed Prinsep will captain the Force squad in South Africa, with former Wallabies lock Sam Carter and 2024 Rising Star Henry Robertson acting as his vice-captains in the absence of regular skipper Jeremy Williams who is unavailable due to Wallabies commitments.
Bayley Kuenzle (knee), Kane Koteka (hamstring), Reesjan Pasitoa (shoulder) and Atu Moli (hip) are all unavailable for selection, along with players on international commitments.
The travelling party will fly out of Perth on Wednesday, September 25, with the team to warm up for the tour with a game against Perth Gold on Saturday, September 21.
Western Force tour squad
Forwards: Albert Alcock, Sam Carter, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Nic Dolly, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Harry Hoopert, Tom Horton, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Marley Pearce, Reed Prinsep (captain), Tom Robertson, Dane Sawers, Darcy Swain, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Josh Thompson, Silafono Titiuti
Backs: Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Mac Grealy, Justin Landman, Ronan Leahy, Coby Miln, Divad Palu, Doug Philipson, George Poolman, Harry Potter, Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Henry Robertson, Patelesio Tomkinson.
Western Force tour matches:
Wednesday, October 2: Cheetahs v Western Force (Bloemfontein – Kick-off: 19.00; 01.00, Thursday October 3 AWST)
Sunday, October 6: Emerging Ireland v Western Force (Bloemfontein – Kick-off: 13.00; 19.00 AWST)
Saturda, October 12: WP v Western Force (Stellenbosch – Kick-off: 15.00; 21.00 AWST)
