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Western Force continue raid on Brumbies by signing three players for 2022 Super Rugby season

Photo: Jeremy Ward / www.photosport.nz

The Western Force’s raid on the Brumbies’ playing stocks has continued, with the Perth-based franchise snaring three more players on Tuesday.

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Just 24 hours after signing Perth-raised flyhalf Reesjan Pasitoa from the Brumbies, the Force announced they have also lured Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle and Reece Tapine on two-year deals.

It continues a recent trend of players crossing from the Brumbies to the Force, with the Canberra-based franchise losing Toni Pulu and Tevita Kuridrani ahead of the 2021 season.

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Kuenzle, who made his Super Rugby debut in round two last year against the Melbourne Rebels, is a 22-year-old rising star who can line up at either flyhalf or inside centre.

“I’d love to play for the Wallabies,” Kuenzle said.

“Hopefully, I can experience some regular game time and enjoy a strong season to earn that chance to play for Australia.”

Fines returns to Western Australia after spending the past two seasons at the Brumbies, which included winning the Super Rugby AU title in 2020.

The 25-year-old played a vital part in the Force’s NRC title triumph in 2019, and is looking to take his game to the next level.

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“You’ve seen how well the club has done this year and I’m really keen to get amongst it to keep building on that,” Fines said.

“I’m coming to the Force for a great opportunity. I want to play some consistent rugby and be around such a great club.

“WA rugby gave me my first chance in a professional environment, so I can’t wait to give back to them.”

Tapine, 21, is yet to make his Super debut and can play at either outside centre or the wing.

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“It’s fantastic to be able to attract young players of such great ability to the Force,” Force head of rugby Matt Hodgson said.

“Issak is an exceptional player and person who knows the club really well having spent a couple of years with us previously.

“He’s shown his creative prowess on the Super Rugby stage now and it’s great to have him back.

“Bayley is another player who has showcased his strengths on the big stage over the past two seasons and is sure to excite the fans with his running game and skills with the ball in hand.

“Reece has great potential and will provide pace and athleticism to the squad.”

The signing spree helps offset the loss of a glut of key Force players from this season, which includes Rob Kearney, Tomas Cubelli, Domingo Miotti, and Jordan Olowofela.

The Force announced earlier this year that they had signed former Reds lock Izack Rodda for the 2022 campaign.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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