Force Next Gen: Coaches Confirmed for 2024 Season

The Western Force are preparing for their inaugural Super Rugby Next Gen campaign, set to begin this Saturday. The competition will showcase rising stars from the four Australian Super Rugby clubs throughout February, with all matches being live streamed on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel.

New Coaching Lineup

Former Western Force players Jeremy Thrush, Jonno Lance, and Chris Heiberg will lead the team’s coaching staff. Jeremy Thrush, currently the Academy boss, will serve as head coach, with Lance and Heiberg as his assistants. Chris Hallett will manage the team.

Did You Know? The Super Rugby Next Gen fixtures are designed to support the development of emerging talent and directly feed into the Australia U20 program.

Competition Format and Player Eligibility

The competition is primarily focused on the U20 age group. However, to enhance competitiveness, both the Western Force and the ACT Brumbies are permitted to include players over the age of 20 in their squads.

The Force will primarily draw players from their Academy, Super Rugby wider training squad, and the RugbyWA pathway. The 23-player team for each round will be announced on Thursday mornings.

Upcoming Fixtures

The Western Force will begin their season with an away game against the NSW Waratahs this Saturday at Eric Twedale Stadium in Parramatta. They will then host the ACT Brumbies on Saturday, February 14th, in a double-header alongside a Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific match at HBF Park in Perth. The Next Gen match will kick off at 2pm WST, followed by the Super Rugby Pacific game at 4:35pm WST.

In Round 3, the Force will face the Queensland Reds at Wanneroo Rugby Club on Saturday, February 21st, at 12pm WST, preceding a Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Force and the Blues at Arena Joondalup’s HIF Health Insurance Oval at 4:35pm WST.

Expert Insight: This Next Gen competition provides a crucial pathway for young Australian rugby players to gain valuable experience and potentially progress to higher levels of the sport, including the national U20 program and Super Rugby Pacific teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will coach the Western Force in the Super Rugby Next Gen campaign?

Jeremy Thrush will be the head coach, with Jonno Lance and Chris Heiberg serving as assistant coaches.

Where can I watch the Super Rugby Next Gen matches?

All games will be live streamed on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel.

When does the Western Force play their first match?

The Western Force will play their first match this Saturday, February 7th, against the NSW Waratahs at Eric Twedale Stadium in Parramatta.

How will this new competition impact the development of young rugby players in Australia?