Super Rugby 2018: Viking Sampson heads west to Force

Tim Sampson has accepted the job of Western Force coach.

Matt Hodgson and Andrew Forrest. Picture: Colin Murty.

In the world of rugby there are few more exceptional salesmen than Andrew Forrest and Matt Hodgson and when they double-team you, there is scarcely any way of resisting them. Which explains how Tim Sampson came to accept the job of Western Force coach.

Forrest, the billionaire Perth mining magnate, has been doing deals all his life. Hodgson has had to learn the art of negotiation on the run after suddenly finding himself a captain without a team following the decision last year to cull the Western Force from Super Rugby.

They have been soldiering on, attempting to keep the Force afloat, heading a Minderoo team that this year is planning a series of Force exhibition matches ahead of the team competing in the National Rugby Championship.

What happens after that is a closely guarded secret, but the intention is to create the Indo Pacific Rugby Championship as an independent competition that will run alongside Super Rugby.

For that they needed a coach — and who better than the man with the best win-loss record in the NRC last season with the Canberra Vikings, Sampson.

“There were some initial discussions with Matt Hodgson throughout the process and then I had a quick chat with Andrew and it accelerated pretty quickly from there,” said Sampson, explaining the head-spinning circumstances that saw him presented with one of the most dramatic challenges a coach could be given.

The deal is for two years, which would cover the first year of the IPRC, although Sampson is unable to discuss what is planned.

“I’m certainly aware of what’s going on next year,” he said.

“Next year, there have to be a few i’s dotted and t’s crossed. But when I get over there, I’ll sit down with Matt and Andrew to see what 2019 will bring and their vision beyond that.”

The Force have made a good start to their recruiting, snaring World Cup-winning South African centre Jaque Fourie and fellow Springbok Ryan Kankowski, former Brumbies, Tahs and Force flanker Chris Alcock and former Force prop Kieran Longbottom, but the other names are expected to come flooding out over the next fortnight.

“There are some exciting names there that are certainly going to add great quality to the squad and there’s players returning from overseas as well, which is great for RugbyWA but also Australian rugby,” said Sampson, a former Queensland Reds inside back and Brisbane Premier Rugby title-winning coach.

Longbottom left Australia just when Wallabies selection was coming within his reach and even at the age of 32 he could still figure in coach Michael Cheika’s plans if he is fully fit.

“I think that’s very important, not to roadblock the players over there in WA who obviously have aspirations to play for Australia, so it’s great support from Rugby Australia,” Sampson said.

The Canberra Vikings applauded his appointment at the Force, although clearly they are disappointed to lose him. “Tim is an excellent coac — his success in leading the Vikings to the NRC grand final last year showcases his skills and talent,” said Vikings chief executive Anthony Hill.

Sampson’s appointment, however, means the Vikings have a head coaching position to fill before the next NRC campaign in August.