1
Ireland test veteran Rob Kearney may be bringing an old-school skill with him to Super Rugby AU
A new era has begun at the Western Force, but Irish rugby legend Rob Kearney is doing his best to bring back an old-school treat – the torpedo.
ADVERTISEMENT
Andrew Forrest saved the Force from extinction in 2017 and he has set out a series of ambitious targets for the franchise to achieve in the coming years.
The billionaire mining magnate wants the Force to become self sufficient within three years and is hoping for them to one day become the best club in world rugby.
The Force finished dead last with a 0-8 record in last year’s Super RugbyAU campaign, but an impressive recruiting spree has left them well placed to gate crash this year’s finals.
Kearney was just one of a host of big-name stars the Force were able to lure.
Argentinian internationals Tomas Cubelli, Tomas Lezana, Santiago Medrano and Domingo Miotti provide the Force with an X-factor, while Wallabies duo Tevita Kuridrani and Tom Robertson bring extra class and experience.
Kearney’s noted kicking game has already impressed his teammates at training.
The torpedo has become somewhat of a forgotten art in modern rugby, but the 34-year-old could unleash it among his bag of party tricks in Friday night’s season-opener against the Brumbies in Perth.
“He’s bringing back the torps,” Force skipper Ian Prior said of Kearney’s efforts at training.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He’s obviously from the 90s generation. Before that everything has been about drop-punting but ever since he’s come on and hit a few torps at training, there’s been a few other young bucks that have been trying to knock him off with a few torps of their own.
Five players with international experience have been named in the starting XV alone, including former Ireland fullback Rob Kearney.https://t.co/lGYGFoDV1j
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 17, 2021
“Some have gone well, some haven’t.
“He knows what works and what doesn’t work. If that’s the most effective kick to use in that southerly wind that might be there tomorrow, then yeah go for it.
“He’s a world-class player. I’m looking forward to seeing the old greyhound out there.”
A sold-out crowd of about 10,000 is expected to turn out for Friday night’s match.
It will be the Force’s first Super game in Perth since July 15, 2017, when they knocked off the Waratahs 40-11 in what was their final game before being axed by Rugby Australia.
ADVERTISEMENT
New Force chief executive Tony Lewis, who started earlier this month, said he was excited to take on the challenge of turning the franchise into a global powerhouse.
“Andrew’s vision is to build the best club in Australia, have the best academy structure in Australia, and as he said to the players before he wants to be the best team in the world and that starts with winning tomorrow night,” Lewis said.
The Brumbies won last year’s title and have been installed as the early favourites for 2021.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments