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Force building confidence in combinations ahead of Reds clash
Western Force playmakers Hamish Stewart and Bryce Hegarty will have the chance to get bragging rights over their former side when they line up in the Super Rugby Pacific encounter against the Queensland Reds.
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The Reds were left fuming when the Melbourne Rebels attempted to sign Stewart last year.
Queensland claimed they had a binding agreement with Stewart for 2023, and in the end it was the Force who swooped in to sign the talented 25-year-old.
Stewart made 72 appearances for the Reds across six seasons, and he looms as a key cog in the Force’s rebuilt squad under new coach Simon Cron.
Hegarty spent three seasons at the Reds from 2019-21, and he has been entrusted with the No.10 jersey in Perth.
Stewart, who is also a noted five-eighth, played at inside centre in last week’s 34-27 win over Melbourne, and he will be in the No.12 jersey yet again when he takes on Queensland.
Cron feels the Hegarty-Stewart combination has good potential.
“I think that combination will only get stronger,” Cron said.
The Reds were thrashed 47-13 by the Hurricanes last week, but they’ve been able to call on the Wallabies cavalry for Sunday’s match at AAMI Park.
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Co-captain Liam Wright returns from concussion, while Wallabies backs Suliasi Vunivalu, James O’Connor and Jock Campbell have been named for their first outing.
Cron is bracing for a strong showing from the Reds, and said it was a good chance for his players to test themselves against Wallaby talent.
“They’re Wallabies for a reason, but it gives our boys a chance to prove themselves, it gives our boys a chance to put their hands up,” Cron said.
“They (the Reds) will want to come with some physicality, so we’ve got to make sure we have a war at gain line time.
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“They’ve got some boys who are really quick on transition, so we’ve got to make sure we transition with a quick speed.”
Cron has named Jeremy Thrush in the starting side after the lock’s match-winning performance against the Rebels last week.
Thrush came out of retirement to play in the game, and he scored the winning try in the 72nd minute.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments