Western Force re-sign promising playmaker trio

Wed, May 17, 2023, 12:56 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

The Western Force have locked down their playmaking core, re-signing Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle and Reesjan Pasiota.

The trio have signed two-year extensions to stay in WA, having made the leap together from the Brumbies in 2022.

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Fines-Leleiwasa returned back to the Force last season after making his debut for the club in 2018.

The 2019 Nathan Sharpe Medalist was pleased to be staying at the Force alongside Kuenzle and Pasitoa.

"Crono [Simon Cron] is a world-class coach, and for my development, he wants me to go out there and be great. That's why I wanted to stay. He has already given me lots to work on and has made me realise that if you want to be great, you have to do the little things to perfection, Fines-Leleiwasa said.

"From the get-go, if someone believes in you, you want to repay them.

"We talk about good clubs having cohesion; the three of us have been together for the last couple of years which always helps. We are good mates off the field, which helps with our rugby on the field."

"It's great that they are sticking around and hopefully, we can start playing some good footy together and help take this club to the next level."

Kuenzle and Pasitoa have struggled with injuries in 2023, however, have established themselves as two of the brightest playmakers in Australian Rugby.

The centre has played 15 games for the Force in two seasons whilst Pasitoa, whose early season form last year had him earmarked as a Wallabies bolter, has missed the 2023 season with a knee injury.

"It was great to play last year and with Crono [Simon Cron] coming in as new coach, he is working through some good combinations, I can't wait to get out there and play some great footy," Kuenzle noted.

"This season has been a growth year for me, Crono is building a decent squad and I am looking forward to being a part of a few successful years with the Force."

"I am really enjoying the lifestyle here; that was a contributing factor to staying, I have loved every minute of it so far."

"I'm just happy to be around for another two years. I really enjoyed my season last year, I'm disappointed I couldn't play this season, but I am looking forward to working on and building my game," the WA-bred Pasitoa added.

"When you are injured, it gets hard, so I am grateful that Crono [Simon Cron] and Hodgo [Matt Hodgson] backed me and am excited for the years ahead."

"One of the reasons I have stayed committed to the Force is so young boys and girls want to look up to the team and play for this great club. So, to be able to stick around for another two years gives me enough time to help grow the game here and make young kids in WA want to play for their local clubs and in Super Rugby or Super W."

It comes as Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White prepares to join the club in 2024, with coach Simon Cron excited about the depth starting to build in the club.

"Finsey adds massively to our environment, he is a brilliant team man and has a real want to keep driving himself to be the best," Cron said.

"We are really looking forward to continuing to work with Finsey on s the areas of his game that he wants to get better at. We want him to become an international player, he is tough, strong and, overall, a great human who we know has the talent.

"We've learnt a lot about Bayley this year, he has applied himself and is a sponge. He is jumping in and implementing himself to be a student of the game.

“Bayley has the right mentality, he is tough, and always beats the first defender with acceleration that separates him from others.

"(Pasitoa) a beast for a fly-half; there aren't many 100kg fly-halves going around. He's got real talent, so we have to nurture that for him to be successful here at the Force. We are excited to coach him and get him back out on the field."

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