Full Force Podcast Western Force

Ian Prior is a former Club captain and one of only three players to reach 100 Western Force caps.

He's an adopted West Aussie too, joining the Force in 2014, seeing the Club's axing from Super Rugby and being part of the 2019 NRC triumph. He chatted to Cairo Takarangi on all that, plus fleeing Zimbabwe as a child, why he moved to Perth, family life, career plans post-rugby and much much more.

He’s heard all the wizard/magic puns before, so we waited to the end to ask about them, when Western Force off-season recruit Harry Potter joined the pod with host Cairo Takarangi.

Potter discussed his nomadic youth moving from London to Bristol to Melbourne to Sydney, his successful rise with the Leicester Tigers, playing in front of no crowds and a Twickenham sellout, why he joined the Force and the latest on his ankle injury.

Western Force Academy head coach Jeremy Thrush headed to Perth to finishing his playing days in 2018 after a decorated career that included 11 All Blacks caps and 100+ Super Rugby caps for the Hurricanes.

Host Cairo Takarangi chatted with Thrush on all topics, including his rise into the All Blacks, doing the haka, Richie McCaw and his favourite teammates, his move to WA and the long-term vision of the Force Academy.

When you think Western Force, you think Matt Hodgson. He's an inaugural Force player, former captain, one of two 100-cap players and now the GM of rugby.

Hodgson caught up with Cairo Takarangi to discuss his long association with the Force from the joy of the Club's maiden 2006 season to the darkness of 2017, plus his childhood, why he moved from Sydney to Perth, Wallabies memories and the future of the Force and rugby in Australia.

Samantha Wood has broken out in the 2024 Super W season as a 19-year-old starting scrum-half for the Force.

Her impressive displays have led to Wallaroos talk but she brushes that aside in her chat with Cairo Takarangi. Get to know Sammy, who loves fishing and getting outdoors in her spare time. She discusses family, ARKS, her mentors and much more.

Emerging Western Force back Reesjan Pasitoa is a proud West Aussie, with mixed heritage with Niuean father and German mother.

Reesjan left Perth as a teenager to take up a scholarship and after a stint with the ACT Brumbies, returned home in 2022.

After a strong first year for the Force, he suffered an ACL injury keeping him out in 2023 followed by a dislocated elbow on the eve of the 2024 season. Host Cairo Takarangi chatted that and more.