Local boy Scoble commits to Force

Thu, Nov 17, 2016, 3:00 AM
AAP
by AAP
Scoble will have some tough competition for the starting hooker role at the Force in 2017. Photo: Getty Images
Scoble will have some tough competition for the starting hooker role at the Force in 2017. Photo: Getty Images

The Western Force continue to lock away their squad for 2017, signing local cult hero Harry Scoble.

The 22-year-old had a meteoric rise this season following injuries to Heath Tessman and Nathan Charles, scoring on his Super Rugby debut against the Waratahs.

The former Australian U20s representative joins Tessman and Tatafu Polota-Nau as Force hookers for next season, knowing there is still plenty of hard work ahead.

“I’m just really happy to be elevated to the senior list and to have the opportunity to train and play with these guys,” Scoble said.

“It’s going to be a tough pre-season for us and there will be plenty of competition for positions come Round One next year, but it’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”

Scoble says he is looking forward to working with new coach Dave Wessels and believes he is the right man for the job.


“Dave has been really excellent so far and we as a playing group think he has the right strategies in place to take this team forward.”

Wessels said the progression of any home grown player was a testament to the development programs within the club and the wider rugby community in the West. 

“It’s a great wrap for our Future Force Program and also club rugby within Western Australia,” Wessels said.

“We’re starting to see the fruits of a lot of people’s hard work with a number of players starting to come through.

“Harry ended up playing half the season for the Force this year, he was thrown in the deep end, but he took the opportunity and really proved that he’s a Super Rugby quality player.

“I think his game grew and he really grew as a person in that time, so we’re very fortunate to have him for another year.”

 

🚨NEWS 🚨 The Western Force have signed local product Harry Scoble for the 2017 Super Rugby season! #SeaofBlue

A photo posted by Western Force (@westernforce) on


Wessels was also adamant that Scoble needed to continue to challenge himself and learn from the senior players around him.

“I think ‘Tess’ in particular demands pretty high standards of the guys and it’s a good lesson for a young hooker to play in behind someone like that. ‘Rusty’ should come into this year fully expecting to be the starting hooker.

“What we want from every player in this squad is to put their best foot forward and want to be in the starting jersey, and I think competition like that is good for everybody.”

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