Growing up as a massive Force fan the opportunity to play for the club has been a dream come true, but last weekend Brad Lacey also received the honours of running out as captain of his team.
Wests Scarborough’s, Lacey, was appointed captain in Ian Prior’s absence when the Western Force played a Sanix Blues and Coca-Cola Red Sparks joint team for a 36-point win on Saturday.
While being announced as the captain was a welcomed surprise for the young 25-year-old, Lacey said bringing in the win was the “cherry on top”.
“I was told around two days out from the game so it was a bit of a shock,” he said.
“At the same time, for me, I have dreamt of playing for the force since I was a little kid. To get the win was the cherry on top of the cake.
“I love this team and I love WA, if I get to represent them being captain again I’ll put my best foot forward.
“But at the same time it’s just another game and I go out there and try and enjoy it the same because I get to play with my brothers and it’s always special winning with them.”
Staying just outside the Japanese city of Fukuoka in a little fishing village of Manukata, Lacey said the team have been embracing the local culture and the rugby.
“It’s pretty different to what we are used to but at the same time the boys are embracing the culture and really getting stuck in which is cool,” Lacey said.
“It’s very ‘mountainy’ here, or ‘hilly’, the pieces of training have been a little different, their fields are a little harder here, so we have to adapt to that, but other than that it’s been pretty cool.
“Culturally it’s a bit different. The food is a bit different. At breakfast it’s a bit different to see horse meat, so everything’s a bit different around here. I’ve never seen horse meat before at breakfast.”
With one win already under their belt in Japan, the team are looking forward to playing against the Japanese ‘Wolfpack’ next Saturday.
As a winger, Lacey will be especially looking forward to playing against their fast and skilful backline.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to playing on their back three and their backline. They’re pretty electric, and what they did to the Hurricanes last week they didn’t do by chance,” Lacey said.
“I guess in terms of the team, we get our opportunity to play against another top international team so we just come together. We said we want to be clinical this week but also enjoy it because it doesn’t come around every week.”
