The Western Force today announces the 26-player squad to tour South Africa in the upcoming Toyota Challenge against the Cheetahs.
Lopeti Faifua, who was unveiled as a Force signing on Saturday, is included along with reigning Nathan Sharpe medalist Sam Spink and new recruit Harry Potter, who arrived in Perth this week.
The squad features four members from the Fortescue Academy and five out of Perth club rugby, the Fortescue Premier Grade.
The Force will face the Cheetahs in two games in Bloemfontein on Friday 25 August and Saturday 2 September, followed by two return games on Friday 29 September at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah and Saturday 7 October at Revo Fitness Stadium in Claremont as part of the Toyota Challenge. This named squad is for the South Africa games only.
Force head coach Simon Cron said: “The main aim of the tour is to give our wider squad opportunities to play more rugby and to give some standout club and Academy players exposure to a higher level of rugby.
“On this tour we can trial some new combinations within the squad. We also get to give some players a test at a higher level of rugby so we can get a good understanding of where they are in their development.”
Fortescue Premier Grade players Ford Hemi (West Scarborough), Regi Churchward (UWA), Fa'amanu Kalolo (Perth Bayswater), Jack Grooby (Palmyra) and Giovanni Leituala (Cottesloe) have earned opportunities to be part of the traveling squad.
Hooker Albert Alcock, tight-head prop Tiaan Tauakipulu, midfielder Ronan Leahy and outside back/midfielder Justin Landman have earned selection out of the Fortescue Academy, along with prop Marley Pearce, who earlier this month was elevated to a professional contract starting next year after breaking into the Force’s 2023 Super Rugby side.”
“We have five players out of WA club rugby who we think have been standouts in the competition,” Cron said.
“They’ve been training with us for the last three to four weeks and they’ve been a pleasure to work with. They’ve shown a real want to go to South Africa and play for the Western Force in the spring series which is great.
“We’ve got four Fortescue Academy players who’ll be coming. That again is an opportunity for them to learn how to tour and to step up against South African opponents.
“We want them to learn as much as they can, knowing that all of these players could potentially play in Super Rugby in 2024.
“We have five other additions to the team so in total there’s 14 new squad members to add depth moving forward. They’re a great bunch of boys, we’re really impressed with them so far.
“We’ve only had them for a short time but from what we are seeing they all have a passion for rugby so we’re really looking forward to seeing them play.”
The Toyota Challenge tour games will be live on Stan Sport. Follow our social media channels for updates throughout.
Western Force Toyota Challenge tour squad
Albert Alcock, Max Burey, Regi Churchward, Lopeti Faifua, Donny Freeman, Jack Grooby, Ford Hemi, Tom Horton, Fa'amanu Kalolo, Bayley Kuenzle, Justin Landman, Ronan Leahy, Giovanni Leituala, Reesjan Pasitoa, Marley Pearce, George Poolman, Harry Potter, Ian Prior, Jackson Pugh, Henry Robertson, Sam Spink, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Josh Thompson, Carlo Tizzano, Angus Wagner, Jeremy Williams
Tickets to the final two games in Mandurah and Claremont can be purchased with your 2024 Force Membership for an added $20. Tickets will also become available in a few weeks through Ticketmaster for non-members, valued at $15 per game, with $20 tickets available at the gate on game day.
Schedule
Game 1, Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, Friday 25 August 11pm AWST
Game 2, Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, Saturday 2 September 9pm AWST
Game 3, Lane Group Stadium, Mandurah, Friday 29 September 7pm AWST
Game 4, Revo Fitness Stadium, Claremont, Saturday 7 October 3pm AWST
