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Western Force part ways with CEO Tony Lewis

Western Force players celebrate a win. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images

The Western Force are on the lookout for a new chief executive after parting ways with Tony Lewis.

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Lewis was lured to the Super Rugby club in 2021 with one massive task – to turn the Perth-based franchise into a world rugby powerhouse.

But his tenure has lasted less than three years, with the Force informing Lewis this week that his services were no longer needed.

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Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest owns the Force.

His Fortescue Metals Group has lost a series of top executives in recent months, but it’s understood the decision to axe Lewis is completely separate from what is happening at FMG.

“After three seasons, Tony Lewis has moved on from the position of Western Force CEO,” a Force spokesperson said.

“The Force is now a critical part of Super Rugby.

“We are focused on driving the club’s continued success for our members and fans, as well as continuing to help grow rugby in WA.”

Niamh O’Connor, who joined the Force board last week, has been named as interim chief executive.

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O’Connor is also the director of the Future Force Foundation and a Rugby Western Australia board member.

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Lewis was a highly respected NZ rugby administrator when he was lured to the Force in 2021.

The challenge of turning the Force into a powerhouse excited Lewis.

“It’s one of the best contracts I’ve ever signed,” Lewis said shortly after joining the Force

“In essence, no real job description, just 10 points and from my perspective, that’s what he (Forrest) wants, that’s what we’ve got to achieve.

“The key ones are strong community base, best team in Australia, best team in the Australia-New Zealand conference, best team in the southern hemisphere, best club team in the world.

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“We’ve got to know our place in the ecosystem here and quietly go about our business and become the No.1 rugby state in Australia and move onto the next.”

Those lofty ambitions are yet to come to fruition, with the Force struggling to become an on-field power.

Despite eight of 12 teams qualifying for the finals in the remodelled Super Rugby Pacific format, the Force have missed out in each of the past two seasons.

Coach Simon Cron, who is entering his second season at the helm, has been boosted by the arrival of Wallabies halfback Nic White, former All Black Atu Moli, Ben Donaldson, Lopefi Taifua, Harry Hoopert, Will Harris and Harry Potter for the 2024 campaign.

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1 Comment
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Gareth 448 days ago

That's a shame, met Tony a few times & always had time for a chat - wonder what happened ?

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Hellhound 41 minutes ago
France put World Cup pain behind them with unbeaten run in November

France is starting to look like they are finally over their WC headache, although they were lucky that NZ had a very bad game. The Argies as usual is one game good, the next bad. If they can sort that out and be more consistent, they could become contenders for the WC.


NZ, Argentina (if they are more consistent), and now the Wallabies too is in an upward curve (can they be consistent?), as well as Fiji(as inconsistent as Argentina) looks like possible contenders. The Boks will be as usual a huge threat to defend their title. Things are looking up for the South, so the North should rightfully beware of the Southern Hemisphere threat.


With the French looking dangerous, the English with their close runs (mostly a mindset problem) and the Scottish seems to be the NH main contenders. The Irish is good, but not excellent anymore. They are more overbearing and with their glory days mostly gone with old players hanging on by a thread, by 2027 if they don't start adding in the younger players, they won't make it past yet another WC Quarter final. The problem is that their youngsters, while good is nothing special.


That is just 8 teams without the Irish that can become real WC contenders. Lots of hickups to be sorted still for these teams, excluding the Boks to become a threat. Make no mistake, the top Tier is much closer than people realise and the 2027 WC will be a really great WC, possibly the best contended WC ever.

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