Super Rugby U19s Extended Force Training Squad Confirmed
- The Western Force have announced a 41-player extended training squad to compete in the upcoming Super Rugby Men's U19 Championship, kicking off next month.
- The squad draws heavily from the RugbyWA Fortescue Premier Grade clubs, showcasing the strength of the local competition.
- Nine players return from last year's U19 squad, bringing valuable experience to the team: Felix Cooper, William crew, Kade Davis, Zavier Hawira, Billy Krsticevic, Peni Naqau, Tamarangi Tunui,...
Western Force Announce Extended Squad for U19 Championship
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Published August 20, 2025
Building the Future: Force Unveils U19 Training Squad
The Western Force have announced a 41-player extended training squad to compete in the upcoming Super Rugby Men’s U19 Championship, kicking off next month. This initiative underscores the Force’s commitment to developing the next generation of Western Australian rugby talent, running in conjunction with the new Super Rugby AUS competition.
A Blend of Experience and emerging Talent
The squad draws heavily from the RugbyWA Fortescue Premier Grade clubs, showcasing the strength of the local competition. Notably, eight players hail from the Fortescue Academy, demonstrating the success of the development pathways in place. Two players have been selected from east coast clubs, broadening the talent pool.
Nine players return from last year’s U19 squad, bringing valuable experience to the team: Felix Cooper, William crew, Kade Davis, Zavier Hawira, Billy Krsticevic, Peni Naqau, Tamarangi Tunui, Alius Tutai, and Zane Wesley.Four players are stepping up from the 2024 U16 squad – Chase Bunce, Fatani Fatanitavake, Dozion Laupama, and Michael Turukawa – signaling a smooth transition for rising stars.
Fortescue Academy Heavily Represented
The Fortescue Academy plays a crucial role in nurturing young talent, and its influence is evident in the squad. Eight Academy members are included, including winger Wallace Charlie, who recently represented Australia in the HSBC SVNS series. Other academy representatives are Zane Wesley, Manaia Te Tana, Nate Gallagher, Luke Holt-Brown, Brodie Mainwaring, Peni Naqau, and Tamarangi Tunui.
Club Contributions
Wests-Scarborough and Wanneroo are the strongest represented clubs, each contributing seven players to the squad. Cottesloe provides six players, while Southern Lions and Nedlands contribute five and four players respectively.
| Club | Number of Players |
|---|---|
| Wests-Scarborough | 7 |
| Wanneroo | 7 |
| Cottesloe | 6 |
| Southern Lions | 5 |
| Nedlands | 4 |
Coaching and Management Team
Fortescue Academy Manager Damian Steele will lead the team as head coach, supported by Mike panoho (Nedlands) and Greg Jackson (Southern Lions) as assistant coaches. Junior Pelesasa, an inaugural Force midfielder, will serve as team manager, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.
Training and Match Schedule
The squad has already commenced training sessions at UWA Sports Park, held on Monday and Wednesday evenings, transitioning to Tuesdays and Thursdays in September.Fans will have the chance to see the team in action at Palmyra RUFC’s Tompkins Park, with home games scheduled against the ACT Brumbies (Sunday, September 21st at 12:00 PM) and the Queensland Reds (Sunday, September 28th at 12:30 PM). A full fixture list will be released soon.
All games will be free to attend and will be live-streamed on rugby.com.au’s youtube channel,with highlights also available on Stan Sport.