| Western Force |
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Western Force (referred to as ''' Emirates Western Force''' for sponsorship reasons) is a Super 14 Rugby Union team based in Perth , Western Australia . It commenced competing in the 2006 Season . The team is the fourth Australian team to be accepted into the competition. It is coached by former New Zealand All Blacks coach, John Mitchell . for their first home game vs the Brumbies .]] The name was selected from a list of hundreds and was chosen to reflect power and solidity. Rugby WA said the name, "represents the natural elements that have shaped Western Australia — the waves, the heat and the wind — and the resources that have underpinned its economic strength." The team's colours are Blue and Gold and the teams logo resembles the state's emblem, the Black Swan . Before the 2006 season commenced, the team already had over 20,000 members, the largest membership base of any of the Super 14 teams. Western Australia had a Perth-based Rugby League team, the Western Reds , who competed in the Australian Rugby League competition from 1995-1996, and, as the Perth Reds, in the 1997 Super League , but disbanded after that due to crushing debt, and did not participate in the unified National Rugby League that began in 1998. 2006 SUPER 14 SEASON On 10 February 2006, the Western Force made their Super 14 rugby debut against the Brumbies at a near sold out Subiaco Oval in Perth, losing 25-10. Since this result, the Force have had a difficult debut in Super 14. A one-sided loss to the Hurricanes and an ugly loss at home to the Chiefs in Perth followed. Many fans were unimpressed, with only appoximately 23,000 turning up to watch a match against the Bulls . On March 31 , in front of 24,000, the Force came closest to their first win, losing 26-25 to the Stormers at Subiaco Oval. This was after leading 10-0 early on in the match. This was the Force's first competition point ever, and is the longest it has ever taken a side to get a point in Super rugby history (8 rounds/7 matches). On April 21 a crowd of 32,231 {Link without Title} saw the Force pull off the upset of the year, drawing 23-all with the undefeated defending champion Crusaders . Though the Force were leading 7-0 after several minutes the feeling was still that the Crusaders would win, especially after they scored a try seconds later to make it 7-5. Only when the force had blown the score out to 17-5 did anyone begin to talk of an upset. Leading 20-8 at half time the Force did not hold on for the win after the Crusaders scored two tries and a penalty within the closing half. At 23-all with seconds left the Force crashed over the line but were denied by the television match official. Two days after the draw with the Crusaders, the Force were able to sign rising star Matt Giteau from the Brumbies, effective with the 2007 season. Giteau, whose contract with the Brumbies ends after the 2006 season, inked a three-year deal reportedly worth AUD 4.5 million, making him the highest-paid player in the history of any Australian football code. {Link without Title} FIRSTS
CURRENT SQUAD Props: Pekahou Cowan, David Fitter, Gareth Hardy, Angus Scott, AJ Whalley Hookers: Brendan Cannon , Luke Holmes, Tai McIsaac Locks: David Pusey, Nathan Sharpe , Rudi Vedelago, John Welborn Back Row: Richard Brown, Tim Davidson, Luke Doherty, Scott Fava, Matt Hodgson, Matt Windle Halfbacks: Vitori Buatava, Matt Henjak, Chris O'Young Flyhalf: Scott Daruda, Brock James, Lachlan MacKay Centres: Josh Graham, Digby Ioane, Zander Peden, Junior Pelesasa Wingers: Cameron Shepherd, Brett Stapleton Fullbacks: James Hilgendorf, Tajhon Mailata EXTERNAL LINKS
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