Head Coach Simon Cron has named a powerful squad to take on the Queensland Reds at UWA Sports Park tomorrow.
With the Super season fast approaching, the first pre-season match played in the West in over two years is a perfect opportunity for several new faces to make their mark.
Wallabies Hooker Folau Fainga'a, centre Sam Spink, and Australian A representative fly-half Hamish Stewart will all make their first competitive appearance in Force colours against Super Rugby opposition, with all three lining up in the starting XV.
The pre-season match will see three 30-minute grudges against the Reds, followed by an internal Force trial match. All extended squad members will then take to the pitch ahead of Round 1 on Saturday 25 Feb. Defence Coach Will Eggleston states, "We've been sharpening the sword for a few months now; the boys are like a dog on a leash; they are ready to go at it."
"We want to see the mindset shift around the boys realising they can go all day. Playing three thirties will give us enough time to see that."
"Along with the Reds, we want to see minutes logged into the players. An 80-minute game can't allow that, so we have incorporated three 30-minute sets and a Force XV on XV internal trial. The internal trail will see all squad members get a run."
"This is the first opportunity to look at our systems and structures, we have been training against each other for a while now, and everyone knows what the moves and plays are; the Reds won't. So tomorrow will be an excellent opportunity to try those out and see what works and doesn't."
"We are ready to have a hit out against an opposition that we don't know, and defensively, it is a great opportunity to have a look at our structure and see where we are at."
"We are looking to see the front row in action, with Robertson, Folau and Medrano. Folau has slotted in there nicely, he is a big hooker similar to Feleti (Kaitu'u). Feleti will come on during the match and show what he can do. So, we are excited about that whole rotational front row."
"George Poolman and Sam Spink are a new young, exciting combo in the midfield. Saturday is a great opportunity for members to see them in a Force jersey for the first time. They are two young students of the game that study the game hard, around the mindset and mentality they are right up there leading in that space."
"In terms of their fitness, the boys can go all day; it's time for them to realise they have enough fuel in the tank to do that."
The Super W squad will commence their open training at 3:00 pm, with the Fan Day officially kicking off at 4pm, see you all there at UWA Sports Park.
