2008 RugbyWA Academy Squad Announcement
Thursday 6 December 2007
The third intake of the RugbyWA Academy has been announced today, with giant Sydney teenager Valeni Tiatia and former Australia A Schools hooker Ben Whittaker named as interstate recruits by Academy coach Geoff Townsend.
Tiatia has come to Perth after a successful junior career at the Wests Tigers rugby league nursery. At 196cm and 114kg, the 18 year-old with Samoan heritage will be groomed to play at either lock or in the backrow.
The quietly spoken Tiatia said he was looking forward to the change of scenery, and has lofty ambitions for 2008.
“My goal is to play Super 14 next year, or as soon as possible,” Tiatia said.
“This is an opportunity for me to do something different, and I’m looking forward to working on developing my game.”
Whittaker played for Barker College in NSW, and at 189cm and 105kg is also an imposing figure at just 18 years of age. Whittaker is keen on learning from Tai McIsaac and Luke Holmes, the only specialist hookers in the Emirates Western Force senior squad.
“I aspire to be the best I can be, and I hope to learn from Tai and Luke,” Whittaker said.
“I know Mitch is a great coach, and the chance to play Super 14 rugby here in WA was too good an opportunity to turn down”
The 2007/08 Academy has a notable change in emphasis from previous years, with Townsend naming a smaller group filled almost exclusively with teenagers straight out of high school. This is in contrast to the larger squads of older players named in 2005 and 2006.
Townsend said it was an important step in the rugby pathway for those named, but that selection meant little if it wasn’t followed by action.
“These guys have been given a tremendous chance to show what they can do rugby-wise in a professional environment,” Townsend said.
“We think this is a very talented group, but they will have to show they can work hard and apply themselves if they want to take the next step into the ET Perth Spirit side and hopefully the Emirates Western Force squad.”
Two of last year’s Level 3 Academy squad members, Kieran Longbottom and James Stannard, have been upgraded, while a further three - Angus Nielson, Brendan O’Dea and Tom Murday - will return.
Exciting 2007 WA Schoolboys representatives Cruze Ah-Nau, Zac Holmes, Mark Schmidt and Justin Turner will have a chance to press their claims for higher honours.
There are currently several triallists training with the Academy, with more players from around Australia expected to be invited to try out in the near future.
RugbyWA Academy:
Level 1: James O’Connor, Dane Haylett-Petty, Sitaleki Timani, Sam Wykes.
Level 2: Kieran Longbottom (Level 1 trial), James Stannard (Level 1 trial), Valeni Tiatia, Ben Whittaker.
Level 3: Cruze Ah-Nau (prop), Zac Holmes (flyhalf, centre), Tom Murday (flanker), Angus Nielson (flanker), Brendan O’Dea (prop), Mark Schmidt (number 8), Darren Van Wyk (centre).
Level 1 and Level 2 members of the RugbyWA Academy will train with the Emirates Western Force senior squad and be available for selection in the 2008 Investec Super 14.
Breakdown of the Emirates Western Force playing group:
Senior Squad: Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Ryan Cross, Scott Daruda, Scott Fava, Matt Giteau, Gareth Hardy, Matt Henjak, James Hilgendorf, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Tamaiti Horua, Tai McIsaac, Lachlan MacKay, Drew Mitchell, Pat O’Connor, Junior Pelesasa, David Pocock, David Pusey, Haig Sare, Angus Scott, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Troy Takiari, AJ Whalley.
Rookies: Adam Clarke, Nick Cummins, Scott Fardy, Tom Hockings, Josh Tatupu.
