2023 Super Rugby Pacific R13

COMING UP...

Round 15

3 JUN 8PM

DON’T MISS OUT! FINAL HOME GAME

WHAT’s on AROUND THE GROUNDS?

5:15PM GATE 1 OPENS - FAMILY FUN ZONE

Check out Gate 1 for loads of FREE activities from a photobooth to bouncy castles to amusement rides, there is plenty of fun for everyone! Look out for the COMPLIMENTARY face painters to show your Force spirit.

MEMBER LOUNGE BBQ TERRACE OPENS

6:30PM ALL GATES OPEN

MEMBER SOUTH MARQUEE AND CYGNET LOUNGE OPENS

7:40PM PRE-GAME ENTERTAINMENT

Make your way to your seats to watch the entertainment from indigenous rapper INKABEE, and players and officials will gather on-field for a traditional smoking ceremony with indigenous dancers

8:00PM KICK-OFF RD 13 SUPER RUGBY FORCE VS BRUMBIES

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Dear Western Force Members, Supporters, and Family,

It is fantastic to have you back here at HBF Park for the second week in a row. Tonight will be an all-Aussie clash out on the pitch with our boys in blue going up against a formidable Brumbies outfit.

Tonight is a fantastic opportunity for Simon, Michael and the whole playing group to mark themselves as a solid contender for a Super Rugby Pacific finals birth.

I also welcome Stephen Larkham and his crop back to Perth for an entertaining match against our loyal Sea of Blue. I encourage all Members and spectators to create an intense and intimidating atmosphere at HBF Park tonight. We all know our 24th player is you! So, be loud and proud!

It’s excellent to have Issak FinesLeleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle, and Reesjan Pasitoa commit to the Force for an additional two seasons. Their eagerness to learn and develop as

rugby players will be nurtured for the years to come. Their talent is known and all of us here at the Force are excited to see what they have install for the future.

As we head into the final weeks of the round fixtures, I would like to thank our Sponsors, Members & Spectators who have supported us throughout the year. We appreciate and acknowledge your contribution to rugby here in the West. Thank you.

Finally, to Andrew and Nicola Forrest, thank you for your support of the team, players, coaches and staff in 2023.

Yours in rugby,

FIRST NATIONS AT WESTERN FORCE

EVERY ROUND IS FIRST NATIONS ROUND HERE AT THE FORCE

This First Nations Round, The Western Force pays respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters on which we play our great game here in Boorloo, Perth, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation.

On the field, we will recognise and celebrate our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through the inclusion of the embedded artwork on our team kit, celebrating our communities throughout Western Australia.

Our indigienous design, crafted by Yamatji and Nyoongar artist Darryl Bellotti, artwork is in the DNA of our Western Force brand, played in every match, home and away, because every round is First Nations Round here at the Force.

This Saturday night, Indigenous Elder Uncle Simon Forrest will lead a traditional welcome to country and smoking ceremony on-ground with both teams prior to the game commencing.

Perth-based Noongar Wongi rapper Ethan Eggington, who goes by ‘Inkabee’ behind the microphone, will be performing pre-game. The 10-yearold, Indigenous rapper, from Kwinana, who could be Australia’s next hiphop sensation, launched the song through a WA youth music program aimed at developing the stars of the

future. He will be joined by One Mob Studio dancers and students from across Perth, led by Andrew BeckAboriginal Education Consultant with AISWA Future Footprints.

From our head office in Perth, we deliver programs and initiatives throughout the Perth Metro and the wider-Western Australian community. Through our reconciliation journey, we aim to utilise the game of rugby to create a deeper connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to help drive greater engagement, particularly with the education of youth.

Gnalla Moorditj Bullargar –

We are strong together

As a UWA student, and with our entire community behind you each step of the way, you’ll build skills and connections that will set you up for a rewarding career.

Search UWA Indigenous Study

Our aim here at the Force is to have a positive influence on all communities we serve, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

WESTERN FORCE

STARTING XV

1 Angus Wagner

2 Folau Fainga’a

3 Tom Robertson

4 Felix Kalapu

5 Jeremy Williams

6 Michael Wells (C)

7 Carlo Tizzano

8 Rahboni Vosayaco

9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa

10 Max Burey

11 Manasa Mataele

12 Hamish Stewart

13 Sam Spink

14 Zach Kibirige

15 Chase Tiatia FINISHERS

16 Tom Horton

17 Marley Pearce

18 Siosifa Amone

19 Tim Anstee

20 Isi Naisarani

21 Ian Prior

22 George Poolman

23 Toni Pulu

Match PREVIEW

THANKS TO The Rugby Wrap podcast

One to XV for our Battle with the ACT Brumbies

The Force is back at HBF Park for First Nations Round, battling it out against the ACT Brumbies.

Head coach Simon Cron has made just one change to his match day 23, after Round 12’s convincing bonus point win over Fijian Drua.

The Force is going into Saturday’s match hungry to make history. The men from the West have won all home games this season, and a win this weekend will equal the club’s longest home streak.

Experienced winger Toni Pulu has been called into the finishers, rested after receiving a head knock in the win against the Highlanders at home in Round 9.

Manasa Mataele’s eye injury has been cleared of serious damage and he will run out on the wing against the Brumbies. Mataele has scored four tries against the Brumbies, including two in his most recent game against the ACT side in Round 6, 2022.

After a standout match last week, dominating in the set-piece and driving strong carries across the pitch, Folau Fainga’a will be looking to continue this form going into his first match against his former side.

Signing on for an additional two years, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa is named as scrum-half, tested to control the pace of the game against an experienced Brumbies pack.

Toni Pulu runs in for a try against Andy Muirhead and Tom Banks, Round 6, Super Rugby Pacific, HBF Park, 2022

BACK OUR BOYS and PACK THE PARK this Saturday. get your tickets below:

Richard Kahiu and Jeremy Thrush tackle a young Bayley Kuenzle, then playing for the Brumbies. Round 9, Super Rugby AU, GIO Stadium, 2020 Len Ikitau tries to elude Manasa Mataele. Round 6, Super Rugby Pacific, HBF Park, 2022

Izack Rodda during a Wallabies studded match Round 1, Super Rugby Pacific, GIO Stadium, 2022

Robert Kearney breaks from a tackle by Issak FinesLeleiwasa and Noah Lolesio, Round 1, Super Rugby AU, HBF Park, 2021

Update from the RugbyWA CEO

RugbyWA will take a big step into the representative arena when a Women’s Perth Gold side join the Men in the Australian Rugby Shield tournament for the first time.

International freight forwarding and project logistics solutions company Airland Logistics is front of jumper sponsor for both teams for the 2023 tournament which will take place at Queensland Rugby Union’s Ballymore in September and while the women’s format will be decided when nominations have been finalised, it is expected to be similar to the men’s with two pools of four.

Managing director Tony Berson is heavily involved in rugby as a former Western Force sponsor and a major sponsor of Palmyra where he is coach of the women’s side.

The introduction of our women into the competition is exciting, and a fantastic step on the development pathway and It’s great to be able to continue to create opportunities for women to play our game in our state and they can go onto further representative honours. We are currently in the process of recruiting for a head coach, assistant coach and team manager which we hope to announce very soon.

Perth Gold men, who finished third last year, are expected to face NSW Country, Tasmania and SA in their pool games.

UWA coach Alex Stajka, in his fourth

year in charge of the WA side, has put together a selection committee of local Premier Grade coaches and members who are not attached to any club to give an independent view. He will announce a training squad of about 45 at the start of August with three sessions and hopefully a trial game against a Western Force senior side or under-19 squad.

Under the overarching guidance of Pathways Manager, Chris Heiberg, along with the Perth Gold Men’s and Women’s representative teams, we are excited to confirm the 16’s and 19’s program will be run in collaboration with the Western Force, utilizing the knowledge and experience of Dylan Parson’s who will be head coach of the under 19’s team. Both these programs will be branded Western Force and wear the Force away strip. The Under 18’s program will run from May to July with head coach, Colin Phillips.

Head Coaches:

Under 16’s – Denis Skillen (Joondalup Rugby Club)

Under 18’s – Colin Phillips (Head of Rugby, Wesley College)

Under 19’s - Dylan Parsons (Western Force)

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CHASE TIATIA

50 super rugby caps

Tiatia made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes in 2019 before returning to the Chiefs in 2021. Signed on a two-year deal with the Force, the 27-year-old has run on in every match of the ‘23 season.

With 22 caps for the Chiefs, 16 for the Hurricanes and 12 so far for the Force, Tiatia has plenty left in the tank for a decorated Super Rugby career.

Chase brings excitement and an x-factor to the Force. He’s a player with strong versatility and a rugby brain that can play effectively across the backline.

His ability to see and create opportunities and beat defenders with the ball in hand are all major strengths. He’s a high-energy and team-first character, aligning seamlessly with the club’s values and team-first mentality.

Top to bottom: Playing for the Force against the Waratahs, Super Rugby Pacific 2023; a jaw-dropping try for the Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific 2022; playing for Samoa against Italy, World Rugby U20 Championship 2015.

PLAYER SNAPSHOTS

Born

Baulkham Hills, NSW

What was your junior rugby club?

Hills Junior Rugby Union Club

What’s your advice to kids aspiring to be a rugby player? Believe in yourself. Watch exactly what professional rugby players do in the position you play during their games.

What does your game day ritual look like?

Sleep in, big breakfast, go for a swim and enjoy a coffee.

Favourite place to travel? Hawaii

How do you like your coffee? Piccolo

Born

Tamworth, NSW

What was your junior rugby club?

Tamworth Pirates

What’s your advice to kids aspiring to be a rugby player?

Just to be willing to learn all the time and to try and play as many games as they can.

Favourite place to travel? I’d love to properly travel through Scotland – it just seems so beautiful and full of history.

How do you like your coffee? Flat white

Born

Perth, Australia

What was your junior rugby club?

Palmyra Rugby Club

What’s your advice to kids aspiring to be a rugby player?

Be patient and work hard on and off the pitch

What does your game day ritual look like?

Go for a swim, have a coffee and take a nap

Favourite place to travel? England, as I have family there.

How do you like your coffee? Expensive – that way you know it’s good.

MEMBERS RECEIVE 15%OFF

WINTER RANGE OUT NOW!

AVAILABLE AT THE MERCH POD

Meet players and check out the range this Game Day!

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