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Western Force recruit Tom Franklin is looking to bring his experience and lead where he can in his new side this year.
The 33-year-old lock was a member of the Highlanders’ 2015 championship-winning side and a nine-time representative of the Maori All Blacks between 2014 and 2019.
He also has 85 Super Rugby caps, playing across New Zealand, Japan, and the USA.
Franklin told Sports Breakfast while he won’t have an official on-field coaching role, he’s happy to use share experience and lead the youthful Force side and
“It's not so much a coaching role, but if I can lead where I'm needed or where I'm wanted and especially around the line-out stuff and different areas of the field,” he said.
“We've got some good leaders in the team at the moment and it's just helping out where I can.
“When I was coming up as a young bloke, it was the older boys who showed me how it's done and I'm hoping I can pass on some of that knowledge as well.”
Fresh off a National Provincial Championship in 2023 for Taranaki, Franklin will boost the Force’s forward options as a second rower.
Wallaby Izack Rodda, Jeremy Williams, Felix Kalapu and Lopeti Faifua are other options in the line-out, with Franklin adding additional depth.
Franklin believes he’ll have his ‘work cut out’ him as he vies for a position in the starting side.
“It was probably the strongest or one of the strongest positions on the field, so I'm going to have my work cut out for me,” he said.
“That's just something you've got to embrace and rise to the challenge. The best player is going to play, and I can't wait to try and earn my support.”
Franklin arrived in Perth over the Christmas period and has been training with Simon Cron’s side since.
“The boys are keen, the boys are young and they've got a lot of energy,” said Franklin.
“They're full of beans and ready to rip in and I rate that highly - guys who just don't back down and just want to get stuck into it.
“It's a good squad and I think we're going to do some good things this year.”
The Force’s Pacific Super Rugby season starts on Friday 23rd against the Hurricanes at HBF Park.
IMAGE: The West Australian