The Western Sydney Rams fell short of the playoffs in 2014 and 2015 and will be looking to break their drought after naming a strong squad for the upcoming season.

Coached by former Wallabies defensive guru John Muggleton, the Rams squad features a host of exciting Shute Shield players, four Fijians and a handful of players with Super Rugby experience.

Overview – With John Muggleton

“We had a few setbacks with injuries early, particularly in the front row, but we’ve searched high and low and in the end we’re quite happy with the size and athleticism of the squad. The inclusion of a couple of Fijian players should help us play the type of rugby that is played in the NRC.

“(Fiji Olympic 7s star) Vetemo Ravouvou is a very good player and he is coming across to expand his experience in the XV’s game. He hasn’t had a lot of experience in XV’s but I think he’ll adapt quite well.

“Paul Asquith is our captain, we’ve got a lot of respect for him. In the NRC last year, he made more breaks, beat more tackles and ran more metres than anybody else statistically. How he didn’t get a go down at Melbourne is beyond me, considering their season. We’ll be looking to make sure whoever picks up Paul for next season is sensible enough to use him.

“Southern Districts were quite strong this year, particularly their backs. They were probably the most exciting backline in the Shute Shield this year so we are very happy to have all those boys on deck. Then we’ve got plenty of size in the forwards so I think we’ve got a good balance.

“We started our preparation back when Penrith, Parramatta and West Harbour finished their seasons. We gave them a week off, then Eastwood dropped out and those guys joined in, then the Southern Districts boys dropped out so after a week off, they began training. We’ve had a few late arrivals, but the core of the group has been together for quite a few weeks now.”

How will the Western Sydney Rams play?

“Origin of possession is the most important thing in any match. You need to win 90% or more of your own ball. You saw the other night how much Australia struggled because they couldn’t win their own ball. They gave New Zealand too many opportunities to attack.

“You also need a strong kicking game. We believe we’ll play a game that makes us hard to beat. To do that, we want to make sure we only give the opposition the ball under the circumstances that we want to give it to them. We need to have a good strong set piece and carry with plenty of enthusiasm.

“That might sound very simple, but when you put that all together, suddenly the opposition are making tackle after tackle on big strong, players and the physical toll from that can be just as devastating compared to a side that throws the ball from sideline to sideline.”

Player(s) to watch?

“I like the look of Rhys Allen. He’s a very hard boned No.6 from Eastwood and he was one of the first players that really impressed me in the Shute Shield this season. We grabbed him as soon as we could to make sure no one else could get him. He’s got a high work rate, runs hard, tackles hard and he’s a good leader around the field.

“In the backs, Apo Latunipulu finished the season as probably the best inside centre in the competition and his dual this weekend (against Rays No.12 Irae Simone) will be quite exciting.”

Goals/Aspirations?

“We want to start by beating the other two Sydney teams. For this competition to work, we need some tribalism and this weekend it’s west versus north. Later in the year, it’s west versus east. You can wrap them up as NSW Country, but we all know where they come from.

“We’ve got to perform well at home as well. If we can get three of four wins on the board, we should make the semis. We’ve got three tough games on the road (Melbourne, Brisbane City and Canberra), so we need to perform when we are at home.”

FORWARDS

Aaron Blacklock (Parramatta), Andrew Tuala (Newcastle), Bradford Kapa (West Harbour), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Southern Districts), David Lolohea (Parramatta), Filimone Tufui (Southern Districts), Hugh Roach (NSW Waratahs/Eastwood), Jordan Tuapou (West Harbour), Matt Gibbon (Southern Districts), Ngaruhe Jones (Parramatta), Senio Toleaafoa (NSW Waratahs/Parramatta), Taunaola Kei (Penrith), Tom Alexander (Eastwood), Tyrone Viiga (Parramatta), Vunipola Fifita (Randwick), Jack Payne (Eastern Suburbs), Albert Tuisue (Fiji), Rhys Allen (Eastwood), Tupou Sopoaga (Wellington).

BACKS

Albert Nikoro (Western Force), Apo Latunipulu (Southern Districts), Denny Godinet (Southern Districts), Fabian Goodall (Rugby League), Harrison Goddard (Randwick), Luke Smart (Southern Districts), Mau David Minute (West Harbour), Mitch Walton (Southern Districts), Paul Asquith ( Southern Districts), Robaliebau Buaserau (Wests – Canberra), Scott Gale (QLD Reds), Waldo Wessels (Southern Districts), Mesake Doge (Fiji), Selestino Kalounivale (Fiji), Cyril Reece (Fiji).