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Force building confidence in combinations ahead of Reds clash
By AAP
Western Force playmakers Hamish Stewart and Bryce Hegarty will have the chance to get bragging rights over their former side when they line up in the Super Rugby Pacific encounter against the Queensland Reds.
The Reds were left fuming when the Melbourne Rebels attempted to sign Stewart last year.
Queensland claimed they had a binding agreement with Stewart for 2023, and in the end it was the Force who swooped in to sign the talented 25-year-old.
Stewart made 72 appearances for the Reds across six seasons, and he looms as a key cog in the Force's rebuilt squad under new coach Simon Cron.
Hegarty spent three seasons at the Reds from 2019-21, and he has been entrusted with the No.10 jersey in Perth.
Stewart, who is also a noted five-eighth, played at inside centre in last week's 34-27 win over Melbourne, and he will be in the No.12 jersey yet again when he takes on Queensland.
Cron feels the Hegarty-Stewart combination has good potential.
"I think that combination will only get stronger," Cron said.
The Reds were thrashed 47-13 by the Hurricanes last week, but they've been able to call on the Wallabies cavalry for Sunday's match at AAMI Park.
Co-captain Liam Wright returns from concussion, while Wallabies backs Suliasi Vunivalu, James O'Connor and Jock Campbell have been named for their first outing.
Cron is bracing for a strong showing from the Reds, and said it was a good chance for his players to test themselves against Wallaby talent.
"They're Wallabies for a reason, but it gives our boys a chance to prove themselves, it gives our boys a chance to put their hands up," Cron said.
"They (the Reds) will want to come with some physicality, so we've got to make sure we have a war at gain line time.
"They've got some boys who are really quick on transition, so we've got to make sure we transition with a quick speed."
Cron has named Jeremy Thrush in the starting side after the lock's match-winning performance against the Rebels last week.
Thrush came out of retirement to play in the game, and he scored the winning try in the 72nd minute.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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