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Harry Potter already thriving in Force's bid for 'edge to edge exciting rugby'

By AAP
Harry Potter ahead of his debut season for the Western Force. Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images for Super Rugby

Western Force recruit Harry Potter is keen to embrace coach Simon Cron’s bid for faster and more exciting rugby – but the intense Perth heat is going to give the game style an early test.

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The temperature is forecast to hit 41C on Saturday when the Force host the ACT Brumbies in a trial match at Revo Fitness Stadium.

By the time the game kicks off at 5pm (8pm AEDT), it’s expected to still be hovering around 35C.

It’s in stark contrast to the conditions Potter faced and the game style he played under 67 times for English outfit Leicester Tigers from 2020-23.

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“It’s going to be a bit of a change from wet-weather, northern hemisphere-style rugby. I’m looking forward to getting into it,” Potter told reporters on Thursday.

“I’m expecting the ball’s going to be in play a lot more (this season), a lot more ball in hand, playing edge to edge exciting rugby.”

Potter looms as a key player for the Force this season, with his ability to play wing, fullback or centre giving the side vital flexibility.

The 26-year-old is still relatively new to Perth, but last week’s two-try display in the 21-19 trial win over the Queensland Reds has already resulted in a return of the Harry Potter puns, in relation to the famous book and movie series.

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“Those headlines came a bit earlier than I would have liked,” said Potter, who was born in England but raised in Melbourne.

“(People have) plenty of work to do on the Harry Potter puns, that’s for sure.”

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Shortly after Potter was born, the Harry Potter series exploded in popularity.

“It blew up and I’ve ended up with the stupid name that I have got,” he said.

“I’ve had a fair bit of it (puns), and I don’t really mind. I think it’s quite funny myself.

“A bit of original content would be nice, but I don’t see that around the corner any time soon.”

Back to matters on the field, Potter is looking forward to linking up with English centre Sam Spink this season.

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“He’s a good person to have inside you when you’re on the wing,” Potter said.

“He carries hard, he defends really well, and he’s a nice person to get you going forward.

“Just the kind of 13 you want.”

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Jon 4 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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