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Former All Blacks star set to 'piss a few people off' as Force prepare for Highlanders showdown

(Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

Western Force lock Jeremy Thrush has vowed to “piss a few people off” during the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition, and he’s keen to roll around again next year too.

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The former All Blacks forward has been a key figure at the Force since joining them in 2018, with his leadership and competitive spirit helping drive the squad to greater heights.

The Force broke through for their maiden finals appearance in Super Rugby AU this year and the Perth-based franchise almost toppled the Chiefs last week in a 20-19 loss.

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Only a missed conversion attempt from Domingo Miotti after the final siren denied the Force victory against the Chiefs, and they will be aiming to put in another strong display when they host the Highlanders on Friday night.

Thrush, who made more than 100 appearances for the Hurricanes, said he was loving taking on New Zealand sides again.

“Last week I did find it pretty fun to try to ruffle a few feathers of Kiwi boys back home,” Thrush said.

“All I’ve got left in me really now is to be a bit niggly and piss a few people off.

“I’m going to try to do a bit more of that on the weekend.

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“I found it all pretty enjoyable (taking on the Chiefs).

“That’s when I play my best rugby when I’m enjoying it, and trying to take away the pressure of the games.”

Thrush turned 36 last month but he doesn’t want to retire just yet.

“I’ll try to hold on for a little bit longer to the career. I’d like to have another go,” Thrush said.

“I feel like once I don’t contribute enough on the field then I’ll look to maybe hang up the boots.

“The body is sometimes not willing but the mind is still willing to play… I still enjoy playing the game, there’s still that hunger there, and I’m still smiling out there and enjoying it.

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“If I’m still doing that, I still want to be playing for another season or two.”

Former Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani will return for the Force after serving his three-week suspension for a dangerous tip tackle.

The Highlanders are set to welcome back All Blacks back-rower Shannon Frizell, who was left out of last week’s 40-19 win over the Queensland Reds due to an alleged incident at a Dunedin bar.

Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:

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J
JW 32 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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