Acting Western Force head coach James Stannard says the new Super Rugby AUS is a great opportunity for the next crop to showcase their wares and has listed off a few players to watch.
The Force take on the NSW Waratahs in the opening game of the Super Rugby AUS season on Friday night at Pittwater Rugby Park from 5:30pm WST, live on Stan Sport and rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel.
The 23-player team list was announced on Wednesday, with Darcy Swain to captain the side. The group flew east on Thursday ahead of the game.
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Super Rugby AUS is geared towards aiding player and coach development, with more meaningful, high-quality games for players and staff not involved internationally in the second half of the year.
Stannard is acting in the head coach position during Super Rugby AUS, with Simon Cron to resume his role once Super Rugby Pacific pre-season commences in November.
The former Aussie 7s assistant coach will benefit from that experience, as well as players during the month-long tournament.
“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Stannard told 91.3 Sport FM on Thursday morning. “It’s a great chance for young up-and-coming guys to experience a higher level of footy and test where they are at the moment.
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“I think it’s really important, to be honest, for the guys in the next tier to experience some higher level rugby. It’s also a way to get more games for boys through the season, not just club rugby.”
The team list named this week included several 2025 Fortescue Academy players who could be in contention for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific squad, like Associates’ Justin Landman, Kalamunda’s Max Sawers and Australia U20s midfielder Boston Fakafanua.
Strong club rugby performers like Palmyra winger Viliami Fine, Warringah hooker Wes Thomas, Wests Bulldogs lock Max Johnson and UQ prop Bradley Kuhn were also named.
“It gives them a chance to show the Super Rugby coaches that they’re ready to step up to the next level. You’ve got guys like Justin Landman, Boston Fakafanua, Albert Alcock, it gives them a chance to show what they’ve got. We’ve got a few guys from over east too, so it’s a chance to show what they’ve got and it could be something that leads into a contract.
“The reward for these guys from good performances in club rugby, it lets them know they’re being watched and gives them a chance to express themselves at a higher level. I think that’s really important for the game. If people don’t see a pathway, they won’t engage in it.”
Stannard was asked about players to watch during the three-game tournament, pointing to Kuhn and fly-half Max Burey, along with emerging Academy talents Fakafanua and Landman.
Fakafanua, who lives in a host family placement with club legend Matt Hodgson, was part of Australia’s squad at the World Rugby U20 Championship this year before injury ended his tournament prematurely. Winger/full-back Landman helped Associates win the 2024 Fortescue Premier Grade title and has been involved in Force South Africa spring tours in the past.
“Boston came out of King’s College a few years back and he’s moved over to Perth,” Stannard said.
“He’s a really strong ball carrier. He’s really aggressive around his carry and tackle. I’m really keen to see him.
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“I remember watching him at school dominating, so I’m keen to see how he goes playing against the big boys.
“Justin Landman is another kid coming out of Perth here. He’s performed really well in club footy over here.
“He’s been in the Academy and done really well and he’s been in and out of the main squad in pre-season and didn’t look out of place. I’m keen to see what he can produce too out of the backs.”
Stannard said he was relishing the opportunity to experience the head coaching role to develop himself, along with Academy coaches Jeremy Thrush and Jono Lance who’ve supported him as assistant coaches, along with Dylan Parsons and Chris Heiberg out of the Club’s Super W set-up.
“It’s a great opportunity for guys like myself, Jono and Thrushy to express ourselves a little bit,” he said. “Crono has been really good in stepping back and letting us drive what we want to do too. It’s not entirely the same as our Super Rugby but it’s still important we link it.
“I feel like more of a project manager which feels a bit funny, when you’re on field feeling like you’re not doing too much.
“But it’s a good chance to try things in our own way. The club has been really supportive around that. Where else are you going to get that experience?”
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Western Force team list
Starting XV; Marley Pearce, Albert Alcock, Bradley Kuhn, Mitch Watts, Darcy Swain (c), Will Harris, Kane Koteka, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Viliami Fine, George Poolman, Boston Fakafanua, Justin Landman, Mac Grealy
Reserves; Wes Thomas, Max Sawers, Sean Paranihi, Max Johnson, Reed Prinsep, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Kurtley Beale
Game details
NSW Waratahs v Western Force
Friday 12 September, 5:30pm WST
Warringah Rugby Club, Pittwater Park
Live on rugby.com.au’s YouTube channel & Stan Sport
