Latest news with #WesternForce
West Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force prop and Nathan Sharpe Medallist Tom Robertson re-signs until 2027
Freshly-minted Nathan Sharpe Medallist Tom Robertson has signed on to return to Western Force, with the important front-rower inking a new two-year deal. Less than a week after he claimed the club's highest individual men's honour, the Force have announced the popular prop has signed on until 2027, keeping him in Australia for the Rugby World Cup. The 30 year-old is the only prop n the club's history to win the medal, with his teammates voting him their player of the year after a superb season in blue. Playing slightly out of position at tighthead as opposed to his natural loosehead, Robertson started every game and held down the fort as injuries affected the Force's front-row stocks. Around the ground, Robertson's contibution was sizable as he finished fourth in Super Rugby for tackles (197) this season, one less than teammate Carlo Tizzano. He also had 71 carries for more than 300 metres, including his now-famous runaway try against the Reds in Brisbane. Making it even more impressive, it was Robertson's first season back following a torn ACL and study sabbatical at Oxford University in 2024. With 31 Wallabies games to his name, Robertson will be firmly in contention for a spot in their squad for July and August's tour from the British and Irish Lions. Robertson said he and his wife Belle and five-month-old son Darby were delighted to stay in Perth a few more years. 'It's a special time for the Western Force, even after a disappointing end to the season, there were certainly some green shoots at the start,' he said. 'In terms of the playing and coaching group, I certainly think this is the most cohesive squad we've had since I joined the Force at the end of 2020. 'On and off the field, there's a feeling we love to be around each other and hopefully that'll pay off in the next couple of years as we build towards a finals berth. 'On a personal level, having a young family and wanting that stability for the next couple of years was important to me as well. We call Perth home now so we're thrilled to stay.' Force head coach Simon Cron was delighted to see Robertson re-sign with the Force. ''Throbba' is a big part of the current environment and always has a team-first mentality,' Cron said. 'His ability to play both sides of the scrum is a huge asset to the team. We are really happy to have him re-commit for two more years as he is a leader in our team.'
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Hard-working Highlander makes team of year
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea headlines a tournament team named following the conclusion of the round-robin phase of Super Rugby. Super Rugby organisers have announced an honorary team with the first-ever Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year to officially be recognised next year. The team is formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. The votes come from players on other teams. Savea received the most votes of any player and was recently named Player of Super Rugby Pacific. Hard-working Highlanders Timoci Tavatavanawai received 32 votes and is one of two centres named. The Super Rugby Pacific statement said where players played or are capable of playing multiple positions, for Team of the Year purposes they were assigned only the position that they most played during the 2025 season. Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of Player of the Year votes (29). The Player of the Year tie-breaker was to compare the number of 'three votes' received, which saw Gleeson (4) surpassed by Tizzano and McReight (both 5). Remarkably, both flankers received the same number of 'three votes', 'two votes' and 'one vote' during the season, which means they share the final back row selection. 2025 Super Rugby Pacific team of the year PROPS Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALF BACK Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FIRST FIVE Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes) CENTRES Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes)
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Eight Aussies in Super Rugby Pacific 'Team of the Year'
Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side. While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025. There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter. The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season. "Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said. Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29). With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five. They also received the same minor votes and shared the award. 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes) Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side. While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025. There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter. The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season. "Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said. Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29). With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five. They also received the same minor votes and shared the award. 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes) Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side. While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025. There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter. The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season. "Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said. Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29). With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five. They also received the same minor votes and shared the award. 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes)
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Eight Aussies in Super Rugby Pacific 'Team of the Year'
Australian forwards have been rewarded for their consistent form with six named in a Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Year, including props Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa. Super Rugby Pacific player of the year, Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea, who had an unbeatable lead in voting with two rounds of the competition remaining, headlines the side. While the Team of the Year will become an official post-season recognition in Super Rugby Pacific alongside Player of the Year from next season, an honorary team has been named for 2025. There are eight Australians in total - two backs in cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was named as fullback in his first season, and Western Force winger Harry Potter. The line-up was formed from the top-ranked players in each position based on Player of the Year votes from across the season. If players were used across multiple positions, for team of the year purposes they were assigned only the position they most played during the season. "Selection in this team is a reflection of the respect and admiration these players have earned from their opponents, week in and week out, throughout the 2025 season," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said. Australian openside flankers Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight and Langi Gleeson could not initially be separated for the third back row position, having received the same amount of votes (29). With voting coming down to who received the most "three votes" for best in a game, Tizzano and McReight couldn't be split, with both receiving five. They also received the same minor votes and shared the award. 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC TEAM OF THE YEARPROPS - Allan Alaalatoa (ACT Brumbies, 20 votes), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs, 14 votes) HOOKER - Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua, 19 votes) SECOND ROW - Jeremy Williams (Western Force, 21 votes), Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues, 20 votes) BACK ROW - Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika, 46 votes), Tom Hooper (ACT Brumbies, 31 votes), Carlo Tizzano (Western Force, 29 votes) / Fraser McReight (Queensland Reds, 29 votes) HALFBACK - Cam Roigard (Hurricanes, 28 votes) FLY HALF - Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 36 votes)CENTRES - Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders, 32 votes), AJ Lam (Blues, 14 votes) WINGERS - Harry Potter (Western Force, 18 votes), Kini Naholo (Hurricanes, 18 votes) FULLBACK - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW Waratahs, 20 votes)
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Western Force players shine at glamour-packed awards night
Nick MacLennan & Georgina Thorp, Nick Champion & Olivia O'Donnell and Maddi Beale & Kurtley Beale. Picture: John Koh Western Force stars and their partners glammed up for the team's annual awards night, where the best players were honoured for their sporting skills. The River View Room at Optus Stadium was transformed into a sea of glamour as the talented players and team members let their hair down for an evening of celebrations after the Force's season wrapped up. Tom Robertson claimed the Nathan Sharpe Medal which is the club's highest individual men's honour while women's stalwart and captain Trilleen Pomare won the Rebecca Clough Medal for their best Super W player. Nick Champion de Crespigny and Anneka Stephens won the Force man and woman awards respectively, awarded to the players who best embody the Force spirit on and off the field as judged by the coaches.
