New recruit Jeremy Thrush is thrilled to make a move to Perth to put on the blue and black.
The world-class All Black player is inspired by the success of World Series Rugby and the community devotion to the sport.
“From the times I have played in Perth with Super Rugby, I was always amazed by the great support the Force got,” Thrush says.
“Seeing the support in the first game, I can’t wait to get out there and meet the boys and everybody involved with the organisation.”
Thrush is passionate about helping young West Aussie players make their rugby dreams a reality.
“I was also excited to get involved in the opportunity to develop the younger players of WA and hopefully help grow some of them into playing for the Force one day,” the international playmaker says.
News of the Jeremy Thrush’s signing last week gathered much hype around the rugby world, with headlines in New Zealand, Ireland and Great Britain affirming the credibility of WSR.
Coach Tim Sampson is excited to know international players are interested in the club.
“Jeremy gives World Series Rugby extra credibility. That such a player wants to come and be part of WSR says a lot,” Sampson says.
“It’s out there now that it’s not a gimmick, we’re fair dinkum and we want to go all the way with this.”
Debuting for the All Blacks in 2013, Thrush earned himself Man of the Match honours against Scotland in 2014 whilst amassing 12 test caps over his two years with the team.
Standing at 198cm and weighing 115kgs the Kiwi heavyweight has played over 200 professional matches, with over 50 of those in one of the UK’s top teams, Gloucester, in the last three years.
Sampson has no doubt 33-year-old Thrush will bring a wealth of knowledge to the squad.
“Being an All Black he’s obviously played under some of the best coaches in world rugby, along with some of the best players in the world,” he says.
Head of Elite Performance Matt Hodgson worked long and hard to secure the A-lister’s signature and says the Thrush will bring a winning culture to the Force.
“He is great, I remember playing against him several times and he has got to be one of the greatest players in the world to have played for the All Black and still playing high-level football at the moment,” the veteran Wallaby says.
Hodgson can’t wait to watch Thrush play and says the forward lock will be a huge addition to the team.
“That experience and that toughness. It’s pretty exciting to watch him play and I know I still have bruises from him in past Super Rugby games,” Hodgson says.
Thrush has accumulated an impressive professional career playing for nine years with Wellington, three years of Super Rugby with the Hurricanes and a short stint with the Barbarians last year.
Coach Sampson is overjoyed to have a playmaker of Thrush’s calibre in the forward line working closely with the tight five.
“You need leaders in that position,” the coach says.
“He will be a huge benefit, we’ve got a couple of young guys in the pack as well and they will thrive having Jeremy around.”
