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 aback 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