Promising new scrumhalf Jacob Abel will look to Force captain Ian Prior to help take his game to the next level.
The 22-year-old impressed during the NRC competition for Sydney this year and the Canberra Vikings in 2018, but says his best is yet to come.
“This is the biggest step I have had in my career so far. I’ve spent a couple of years around the NRC and that was the pinnacle until now,” Abel said.
“This is my first time in a professional program and I am very excited to see where training every day can take me.
“I’m definitely looking to learn from Ian. He has a lot of years of knowledge under his belt, so I’ve got a lot of things to learn from him and maybe some tricks I can learn off him too.”
Abel’s older brother Robbie had a short stint with the Force and Perth Spirit in 2014 before going on to play for the Maori All Blacks. The youngster is looking forward to making his mark on the professional rugby world and explore the Rapid Rugby style of play.
“I remember visiting Perth when my brother was here and saying ‘I could live in Perth’ and look at how the tables have turned, here I am,” Abel said.
“Global Rapid Rugby is a pretty fast brand of footy, I’m keen for that. It has a bit of a different feel to it and I am excited for that too.
“I’m pretty keen to show what I can do personally, and play some good footy for the Force.”
The scrumhalf, who enjoyed a fruitful spell with Shute Shield side Easts, earnt himself the joint-best player in Canberra’s premier club competition in 2018 by taking out the MacDougall Medal and almost leading them to their first playoffs campaign since 2008.
