1
'We're here now': Why Izack Rodda's return to Australia fills a want not a need
By AAP
Western Force coach Tim Sampson says his side's tight loss to the Queensland Reds proved their forward pack was "already there", in an ominous warning before the arrival of Wallabies lock Izack Rodda.
Former Queensland Reds star Rodda controversially left Ballymore over a contract dispute when COVID-19 halted last season's competition.
But the 24-year-old will be back in Australia from July - and available for Wallabies selection - after a short-lived stint in France.
The Force recently recruited former national lock Sitaleki Timani, who had left the NSW Waratahs for the Pro-14 in 2013.
Timani, 34, earned his first start in Saturday's 26-19 loss to the Reds at Suncorp Stadium, helping turn the tide alongside former Reds prop Greg Holmes who was playing his 150th Super Rugby game.
Emerging back-rower Fergus Lee-Warner and No.8 Brynard Stander were also impressive for the Force against a Reds outfit stacked with Wallabies and boasting the power of Taniela Tupou.
Saturday's tight defeat followed a gutting 10-8 loss to Melbourne, 20-16 win over of the Waratahs and 27-11 reverse to the Brumbies after the Force were hastily welcomed back into the Australian Super Rugby fold last year.
"We're here now," Sampson said when asked if Rodda's arrival would make them the equal of any other Australian Super Rugby forward pack.
"Izack will just be a good addition because look at tonight; our forwards were outstanding.
"They were really good at set piece, line out functioned well and got some pay out of our scrum so it's just an addition and slot into what we've already got here."
Holmes was tremendous against his former team in a homecoming marked by the first meeting with his parents since he left Brisbane for Exeter in England five years ago.
"You can see he's got plenty left in the tank ... it was awesome to share that 150 milestone with him," Stander said of 37-year-old Holmes, who could play on next season.
"It felt great and we gave it all for him."
- Murray Wenzel
Trending on RugbyPass
2
All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
3
Suaalii strikes awe as Wallabies lose midfielder
4
Scott Robertson responds about handling errors
5
Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to comments