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'I kind of lost my passion a little bit by the end there': The re-invigoration of the Western Force

By AAP
Rob Kearney and Ian Prior. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Western Force captain Ian Prior is convinced his team will put on a good show in their season opener against the Brumbies despite the disruption caused by Western Australia’s hard lockdown.

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WA was thrust into a minimum five-day lockdown on Sunday evening, with Perth-based sporting clubs unable to train as a team during that period.

It means Force players have been limited to exercising for a maximum of one hour per day outdoors with just one other person.

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New Rugby Australia Chief Executive outlines his vision for rugby in Australia as he takes over on his first day in the new role.

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New Rugby Australia Chief Executive outlines his vision for rugby in Australia as he takes over on his first day in the new role.

The disruption comes in the countdown to the Force’s Super RugbyAU season opener against the Brumbies in Perth on February 19.

The Force’s sole pre-season match that was scheduled against the Brumbies in Canberra this weekend might go ahead next Tuesday instead.

The Perth-based franchise were winless last season, and the betting markets have tipped them to struggle again this year despite an impressive recruiting campaign that has netted Irish legend Rob Kearney, Argentinean star Tomas Cubelli, and Wallabies duo Tevita Kuridrani and Tom Robertson.

The Force are still hopeful of being able to host their round-one clash with the Brumbies in Perth.

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But even if that falls through and the Force are thrust into hub life, Prior says they are ready to deal with it.

“We’re ready to go – wherever we have to play, we will play and we’ll put on a good show and make the people of WA proud of what we’re doing,” Prior said.

“We’ve identified as a playing group that there might be road blocks or speed bumps that come up, and hub life is something we talked about.”

“We’ll definitely be better for the experience from last year, being on the road there for 13 weeks.”

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The Force announced on Wednesday that Prior would captain the side for the fourth straight year.

Prior was part of the Force side that was axed from Super Rugby in 2017, and he took a leap of faith by returning to the club in 2018 after spending a brief period at English club Harlequins.

“It was a big call to come back into the unknown and jump on board the Western Force,” Prior said.

“With everything that happened in 2017 in regards with the Force, I kind of lost my passion a little bit by the end there.

“Watching some of your toughest teammates cry because of the situation was pretty rough.

“The thing that really drew me to come back was a bit of unfinished business with how it all ended up in 2017, and also the story and what it could be, and giving yourself to a higher purpose.”

– Justin Chadwick

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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