Kyle Godwin has been one of the most consistent performers for the Force in recent years and with the Perth based side set to play a more expansive style of play in 2016, the rest of the world might be about to find out just how good the 23-year old really is. Rugby News and RUPA caught up with Godwin a few days out from the start of the Super Rugby season

So mate, two wins from your two trials this year. Spirits must be pretty high over in Perth at the moment?

Yeah we definitely took a lot away from those two games, it was really good to see everything that we have been practising put into place so hopefully we can take that form into round one against the Rebels.

How has this preseason compared to others you’ve had?

I think I’m going into my fifth or sixth preseason now and I’ve really enjoyed this one. After last season the boys all sat down with the coaches and had a good hard look at ourselves and we assessed what we needed to implement in the preseason to make sure we were in good stead for 2016.

We’ve changed the way we go about it and I’ve really enjoyed what we’ve been doing. There has been a lot more time with the ball and a lot more skill work so hopefully that can transfer onto the field.

You’ve played a few positions across the backline over the years, which do you prefer?

Definitely No.12. I’ve always loved No.10 and I’d like to have another crack at No.10 one day and I enjoyed my experience at outside centre last year but I really enjoy inside centre. I enjoy the nature of the position so I’d really like to improve in that area and hopefully take it one step further.

If you do play No.12, you’ll play outside either Peter Grant or Jono Lance. How are the two new boys shaping up?

Those two have slotted in seamlessly. They are both unbelievable players and bring a lot of aggression and defence and they are cool calm heads in attack so I am really looking forward to playing alongside of them both this year and I’m sure they will be great assets to the team going forward.

As a team, what do the Force need to do to be more competitive?

We just need to quicken up the way we play. Last year we felt as though we weren’t quick enough with the ball and we didn’t play with enough width, so we’ve really been focussing on playing with a lot of speed and width so hopefully we can transfer that into the season.

What are you focussing on specifically? 

Obviously No.12 is a bit of an all round position so I’m just focussing on being dynamic in that position and working on my entire skill set so that I can try and push for a spot in the Western Force 23 each week.

You’ve spent some time with the Wallabies squad in recent years. Is the goal to squeeze your way into a gold jersey?

Yeah it’s definitely in the back of my mind and I think it is in the back of most players minds who are playing in the Australian conference. But as I said the main focus at the moment is to get a spot in the matchday 23 with the Force and do everything I can to make sure the Force are as successful as possible.

You’ve been over in Perth for quite a while now, can you tell us about your time playing club rugby in Western Australia?

So I moved over here with my family when I was eight years old and I’ve been here ever since. I played with my local school Aquinas College and my local club Associates and then I found myself in a few Academies and it sort of just progressed from there.

You’ve got a few local Perth boys in the squad now. How is the standard of club rugby over in Western Australia these days?

It’s definitely improved and a big part of that has been from a lot of South African and New Zealanders moving over here to work in the mines. Now that we’ve had a Super Rugby side for 10 years a lot more people know about rugby over here and a lot more people are giving it a go so that has helped increase the level.

On top of that, the contracted players that aren’t in the 23 are going back to play in the club competition so that really helps. It’s not quite at the Sydney or Brisbane level yet, but hopefully one day it will get there.

Away from rugby, how do you keep yourself busy?

I’m currently finishing off a commerce degree, I’ve only got two units left but it has taken me about four years too long. But apart from that, it’s the usual western lifestyle; beaching, boating, diving, fishing. Anything outdoors suits me.

So talk us through your perfect day away from footy?

I’d be out on a boat over to Rottnest Island to soak up some sun, try to catch a few crayfish and a cheeky beer. That’d be just about perfect.

This interview was conducted as part of a collaboration between Rugby News and The Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA), designed to help the Australian Rugby public get to know some of the newer professional stars of our game who have graduated from Club Rugby. For more information on RUPA and the services the other, click here.