Western Force back-rower Will Harris has enthusiastically praised the immediate impact of the club's new assistant coaches, Brad Harris and Craig Dunlea, following their pre-season preparations. The Force opened their trial matches with a narrow 21-19 victory over the Queensland Reds at Scotch College last Friday, showcasing early signs of improvement under the fresh coaching leadership.
New Coaches Hit the Ground Running
Harris emphasised that both Dunlea and Harris have seamlessly integrated into the team, bringing valuable expertise to key areas of play. "You saw our scrum at the end there, that's Craig's main area. He's added a heap in that department," Harris noted, highlighting Dunlea's focus on strengthening the scrum. He added, "It's not really a strong suit of mine, but they're doing a good job, so it suits me."
Defensive Improvements Noted
Regarding Brad Harris's contributions, the back-rower was equally complimentary, pointing to significant defensive advancements. "Brad's been awesome. You could see in our defence, we've taken a massive step forward from where we were last year," Harris explained. He further detailed that the team's cohesion has improved, with everyone aligned and eager to execute defensive strategies effectively.
Coaching Changes and Player Adaptation
The Force faced notable off-season challenges, losing forwards coach Tom Donnelly to the Wallabies and defence coach Will Eggleston to Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo. This prompted head coach Simon Cron to restructure his coaching staff, appointing Dunlea, a former New Zealand under-20's assistant, and Harris, an ex-Fiji and Georgia assistant. Will Harris views these changes positively, noting that new perspectives have benefited his personal development. "It's funny, it seems like it's happened a fair bit throughout my career. It's always good to get new ideas and be coached by new people," he shared.
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Matches
The Force are set to continue their pre-season with another trial game against the Brumbies at Scotch College this Friday. This match will adhere to standard rules, featuring two 40-minute halves and a reduced squad size. Following this, the team will officially kick off their Super Rugby Pacific campaign at HBF Park on Valentine's Day, hosting the Canberra-based Brumbies in what promises to be an exciting season opener.
Harris's endorsement of the new coaching duo underscores a sense of optimism within the squad as they refine their strategies and build momentum ahead of the competitive season. With fresh tactical insights and a reinforced team spirit, the Western Force aim to translate these pre-season gains into successful performances in the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific tournament.
