RugbyWA has launched an exciting and action-filled post-Super 14 rugby program, highlighted by a match against Manu Samoa in Perth on Saturday 8 July.
The clash with the powerful and entertaining Pacific Islanders will come after a 14 day tour to South Africa, where the Western Force XV will play three games against Currie Cup teams and run a skills clinic in the township of Soweto, in Johannesburg.
In July and August, the Western Force XV will also play Japanese clubs, Toshiba and Yamaha in Perth before the start of the Australian Provincial Championship in September.
The Japanese teams will also play Perth Gold and an Emirates Western Force Academy selection during their WA tour.
The post-Super 14 team will be known as the Western Force XV and will represent the State, playing in the traditional black and gold colours of WA.
The team will be coached by Emirates Western Force coaching coordinator, John Mulvihill, with the assistance of forwards coach, Ben Darwin, skills coach, Tom Fearn and Academy coach Steve McFarland.
Players available for selection in the Western Force XV include those members of the Emirates Western Force not involved in national representative duties, members of the Academy and Perth Gold players.
Western Force XV coach John Mulvihill said he was excited by the program, which ‘ as promised – would give Emirates Western Force squad members exposure to quality football during the Tooheys New Super 14 off-season.
He said individual post-Super 14 programs had been tailored for each member of the professional squad and some players would be unavailable for selection in the Western Force XV at certain times because of surgery or rehabilitation.
Mulvihill said the games in South Africa, against the Golden Lions and the Blue Bulls, would be hard-fought contests, which would provide valuable experience.
The touring squad will be announced on Wednesday 17 May.
Mulvihill said the match against Manu Samoa would be a highlight of the calendar, not only for the players but for WA rugby fans.
‘The Samoans are very physical but like the Fijians and Tongans, they throw the football around and play some of the world’s most entertaining rugby,’ he said.
‘It will be the first time the Western Force plays a national side, so it’s quite an honour.’
POST-SUPER 14 PROGRAM
Wednesday 7 June: TBC.
Saturday 10 June: vs Golden Lions (Johannesburg)
Friday 16 June: vs Blue Bulls (Pretoria)
Saturday 8 July: vs Manu Samoa (Perth)
Saturday 15 July: vs Toshiba (Perth)
Saturday 12 August: vs Yamaha (Perth)
Saturday 19 August: vs Yamaha (Perth)
Australian Provincial Championship
Saturday 9 September: vs NSW A (Perth)
Saturday 16 September: vs Qld Red Heelers (Perth)
Saturday 23 September: vs Brumby Runners (Canberra)
Sunday 1 October: vs NSW A (Sydney)
Sunday 8 October: vs Red Heelers (Brisbane)
Sunday 15 October: vs Brumby Runners (Perth)