SPIRIT COMPLETES BIG YEAR FOR WA RUGBY
The Perth Spirit’s contesting of Saturday’s inaugural Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) against Brisbane City at Ballymore caps off a big year for Western Australian representative teams.
The fourth-placed Spirit qualified for the Buildcorp NRC decider after a courageous defensive effort set up the victory over the previously undefeated Melbourne Rising, 45-29, at AAMI Park on Saturday. The Spirit has broadened the base of players in Perth exposing 42 Perth-based players to the Buildcorp NRC, with almost half of them exclusively from local Pindan Premier Grade clubs.
The success follows on from the Western Force realising its most successful Asteron Life Super Rugby season in the club’s history, featuring the most locally-produced players in nine years of the Force. Seven Western Force players were selected in Wallabies squads in 2014, including Matt Hodgson, who will captain the Wallabies against the Barbarians in London tomorrow night (AWST).
It combines with the success of the state’s under-age teams, including the Western Australian side that won the Southern States Under 20 tournament in Adelaide and the WA Under 17 side that hoisted the national Junior Gold Cup.
RugbyWA CEO, Mark Sinderberry says it reflects a healthy state of the game in Western Australia.
“It’s very pleasing to see these results for what is unquestionably one of the most passionate rugby states in the country,” he said. “We understand that we still have work to do across the board to realise the sustained success that we’re after, however, these milestones demonstrate that we are certainly heading in the right direction.
“Success like this does not happen by coincidence and it doesn’t happen overnight, and a lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes to make these a reality. We’ve had tremendous support from our local clubs, commitment from our players and excellent programs and guidance from our representative coaches – including Gus Martyn [Under 17], Dwayne Nestor and Elwee Prinsloo [both Under 20 and Perth Spirit], and our senior coaching staff of Michael Foley, David Wessels and Kevin Foote.
“We’re also very proud that the Future Force will begin next month and, under the expert tutelage of Dwayne Nestor and Mickey Arthur, will continue to produce more elite players for our programs.
“We understand that next season will present a new range of challenges for our sides, but knowing the quality of the people involved with these rugby programmes, we will continue to work harder and continue to earn the respect of the rugby community, both in this state and further afield.”
The Perth Spirit will play Brisbane City in the Buildcorp NRC final on Saturday. Kick-off is at 4.30pm (AWST) with coverage live on Fox Sports 3 and 3HD.
Season in Review – 2014
Western Force
- Most wins in the club’s history (9);
- Most consecutive wins in the club’s history (5);
- Most home wins in club history (6);
- Most consecutive home wins in club history (5);
- Eight locally produced players representing the Force;
- Seven players selected for the Wallabies squad.
o Matt Hodgson selected to captain against the Barbarians;
Perth Spirit
- Qualified for grand final against Brisbane City;
- 42 Perth-based players exposed to the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship:
o 25 from outside the Western Force senior squad;
o 19 exclusively from Perth’s Pindan Premier Grade clubs;
Under 20
- Undefeated during the Southern States Under 20 tournament in Adelaide;
- 10 players selected for the Combined States squad for National Under 20 Championship;
- Four players selected for the Australian Under 20 squad for IRB Junior World Championship;
Under 17
- Winner of the national Junior Gold Cup, defeating Victoria, 29-18 in the final.
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