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Sam Cane weighs in on Luke Jacobson's All Blacks re-emergence with big claim
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Western Force continue raid on Brumbies by signing three players for 2022 Super Rugby season
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The Western Force’s raid on the Brumbies’ playing stocks has continued, with the Perth-based franchise snaring three more players on Tuesday.
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Just 24 hours after signing Perth-raised flyhalf Reesjan Pasitoa from the Brumbies, the Force announced they have also lured Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle and Reece Tapine on two-year deals.
It continues a recent trend of players crossing from the Brumbies to the Force, with the Canberra-based franchise losing Toni Pulu and Tevita Kuridrani ahead of the 2021 season.
Kuenzle, who made his Super Rugby debut in round two last year against the Melbourne Rebels, is a 22-year-old rising star who can line up at either flyhalf or inside centre.
“I’d love to play for the Wallabies,” Kuenzle said.
“Hopefully, I can experience some regular game time and enjoy a strong season to earn that chance to play for Australia.”
Fines returns to Western Australia after spending the past two seasons at the Brumbies, which included winning the Super Rugby AU title in 2020.
The 25-year-old played a vital part in the Force’s NRC title triumph in 2019, and is looking to take his game to the next level.
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“You’ve seen how well the club has done this year and I’m really keen to get amongst it to keep building on that,” Fines said.
“I’m coming to the Force for a great opportunity. I want to play some consistent rugby and be around such a great club.
“WA rugby gave me my first chance in a professional environment, so I can’t wait to give back to them.”
Tapine, 21, is yet to make his Super debut and can play at either outside centre or the wing.
Caleb Clarke’s pursuit for Olympic glory has received a boost as he has been named in an extended All Blacks Sevens squad to play at the Oceania Sevens in Townsville next weekend. #AllBlacksSevens #OceaniaSevens #TokyoOlympics #Tokyo2020 https://t.co/hAqKeG5JGD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 15, 2021
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“It’s fantastic to be able to attract young players of such great ability to the Force,” Force head of rugby Matt Hodgson said.
“Issak is an exceptional player and person who knows the club really well having spent a couple of years with us previously.
“He’s shown his creative prowess on the Super Rugby stage now and it’s great to have him back.
“Bayley is another player who has showcased his strengths on the big stage over the past two seasons and is sure to excite the fans with his running game and skills with the ball in hand.
“Reece has great potential and will provide pace and athleticism to the squad.”
The signing spree helps offset the loss of a glut of key Force players from this season, which includes Rob Kearney, Tomas Cubelli, Domingo Miotti, and Jordan Olowofela.
The Force announced earlier this year that they had signed former Reds lock Izack Rodda for the 2022 campaign.
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