Road Trip – Darwin

Well we have finally started the year, the first ever travel day for the force in 2012. We start with a trip to Darwin although there are a lot of familiar faces missing like David Pocock, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd and Richard Brown the squad is still strong. With a combination of new and old, the team will be lead by Sam Wykes or aka Skip, as he prefers.

It will be the introduction of many into the force colours for the first time.

The squad looks like the following

Forwards: Cowan, Faulkner, Longbottom, Maafu, Charles, Whittaker, Wykes, Lynn, Battye, Ball, Hodgson, McCalman, Cottrell and Hodson

Backs: Sheehan, Turner, Stannard, Sidey, Stanley, Mafi, Cummins, Nalaga, Seymour, Wara, Pretorius, Crowley and Bunce.

With so many new faces I thought I would start out with a little information on the EWF new recruits.

Salesi Ma’ aafu – The one they call big bop, with an uncanny resemblance to fat albert (in a good way) the boy has been training hard in the pre season shedding kilo after kilo. But in using his words not mine I’m ready to play, I’m over running around with out hitting someone. He will be our go to man at tight head.

Toby Lynn – Moved over from New Zealand and will partner Wykes in the second row, doesn’t mind going unnoticed and just goes about his work. Enjoys the work in tight. Goes by the nickname of Crush but still no body knows why?

Angus Cotrell– Big tough lad straight from Qld has a rawness about him but a talent that will be welcomed into the Force back row. Hard working and loves the physical side of the game.

Ryan Hodson– Get’s his chance to impress in Darwin after Poey not making the trip north. A talented open side that is willing to learn from the worlds best (Poey). With that type of mentor is only going to improve as a player.

Ben Seymour– Often confused around training as Sonny Bill Williams not only for his looks but his combination of tattoos and the inability to find a shirt to wear. Ben this weekend will step into that 10 jersey and hopefully he can replicate his ability during training to in game situations.

Sam Wara– A quite bloke around training but can the boy run. Often you see him coming with an ear to ear grin, but then in a flash he is pass you and under the sticks scoring a try. Will be a great asset on the end of our back line.

Naps Nalaga– It is simple what to say about Naps. Don’t pass, don’t kick, just run. Enough said.

Tetra Faulkner– Although Tetra has already made his debut for the Force (2011 v Melbourne); this is the first year that he is signed to the Force. He again adds bulk and strength to what will be a formidable front row. Glad I’m not the selector picking that position it is one full of talent and size.

Winston Stanley– Another quiet player around training but has talent and skill to burn. Comes to us from the Auckland Blues and a talented rugby family. I’m excited about what I see at training and I’m glad I’m not the one defending his footwork.

The thing that excites me most is the inclusion of the local talent, not only with Kieran Longbottom and Ryan Hodson in the squad but with the like of Jake Ball, J Pretorius, Crowley and Bunce all getting there taste of Super Rugby. It is opportunities like this that can be the catalyst to a career in the game.

So after a long pre season the boys are ready to hit the field running, and test the new combinations. It is exciting times ahead as we head towards the first round on the 24th of February.

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