Force team confirmed for U19s opener against 'Tahs

Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 2:53 AM
BS
by Ben Somerford

The Western Force team list has been named for the Club’s opening game away to the NSW Waratahs on Saturday morning in the 2025 Super Rugby Men’s U19s.

Among the 23-player team are seven players from Wanneroo including six who were part of the Roodogs’ recent Fortescue Premier Grade title triumph over Palmyra headlined by Grand Final Player of the Match and Academy fly-half Brodie Mainwaring.

Wanneroo lock Manaia TeTana and Southern Lions flyer Wallace Charlie – who are both part of the 2025 Fortescue Academy – will be co-captains for the side.

In collaboration with RugbyWA, the Force U19s will compete in the four-team Super Rugby pathways competition over the next month, offering key opportunities to develop the next wave of emerging WA talent.

Saturday’s game away to the Waratahs at Warringah Rugby Club’s Pittwater Park kicks off at 8:30am WST live on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel and Stan Sport.

Palmyra’s Zavier Hawira and Wanneroo’s Zane Wesley are the props alongside Cajun Arnfield, who has arrived in Perth from Newcastle-based Wildfires.

Southern Lions lock William Crew will partner TeTana in the second row, with Associates blindside-flanker Felix Cooper alongside Academy pair Luke Holt-Brown and Nathaniel Gallagher in the back row.

Academy and Roodogs scrum-half Tamarangi Tunui starts alongside club mate Mainwaring in the nine and 10 jerseys respectively. Wanneroo’s Chris Jansen and Palmyra’s Thomas Yates make up the run-on midfield.

The two wings are occupied by Southern Lions and Academy flyer Penijameni Naqau and Nedlands talent Iziah Lolohea, with Academy and Aussie 7s speedster Charlie at full-back.

The Force thanks partners Fortescue, UWA, Goodyear, ADD Business Group and Elan as well as RugbyWA for their support of the U19s programs.

Western Force U19s team list

Starting XV; Zavier Hawira (Palmyra), Cajun Arnfield (Wildfires, NSW), Zane Wesley (Wanneroo), William Crew (Southern Lions), Manaia TeTana (cc) (Wanneroo), Felix Cooper (Associates), Luke Holt-Brown (Perth Bayswater), Nathaniel Gallagher (Cottesloe), Tamarangi Tunui (Wanneroo), Brodie Mainwaring (Wanneroo), Penijameni Naqau (Southern Lions), Chris Jansen (Wanneroo), Thomas Yates (Palmyra), Iziah Lolohea (Nedlands), Wallace Charlie (cc) (Southern Lions)

Reserves; Lachlan Cook (Cottesloe), Carter Tagaloasa (Endeavour Hills, Vic), Billy Krsticevic (Wests Scarborough), Xavier Vaauli (Wanneroo), Connor Hulme (Wests Scarborough), Conan Thiedeman (Southern Lions), Sonny Kani (Palmyra), Kade Davis (Wanneroo)

Travelling reserve; Josh Pulu (Perth Bayswater)

Game details

NSW Waratahs v Western Force

Saturday 13 September, 8:30am WST

Warringah Rugby Club, Pittwater Park

Live on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel & Stan Sport

FORCE 2025 SUPER RUGBY U19 SCHEDULE *all times WST

ROUND 1

NSW Waratahs v Western Force - Saturday 13 September 8.30am - Warringah Rugby Club

ROUND 2

Western Force v ACT Brumbies - Saturday 20 September 12pm - Palmyra Rugby Club

ROUND 3

Western Force v Queensland Reds - Sunday 28 September 12.30pm - Palmyra Rugby Club

GRAND FINALS

Sunday 5 October

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