When you consider that he was one of the stars of the inaugural National Rugby Championship (NRC) in 2014, before spending time abroad at French glamour Club Toulon and returning to Australia this year, it’s quite surprising to realise that Western Force flyer Jonah Placid is only 24 years of age.
Tipped for stardom from a young age, fullback/wing Placid represented the Junior Wallabies three years in a row (2013-15) and made his Super Rugby debut for the Queensland Reds at the age of 18 before spending three seasons at the Melbourne Rebels, making eighteen Super Rugby appearances.
From there a move to France beckoned but having now signed on with the Force to play both NRC and Global Rapid Rugby for this year and next, Jonah has unfinished business on his mind.
“My experience in France was unreal and I learnt a lot from the international players I was with at Toulon,” Placid said. “I did have the opportunity to extend my stay there, but my decision to come back was based around wanting to have another really good crack at Australian Rugby.
“When I signed over there, I was only 21, and I was pretty immature. I think I’ve grown heaps, and I’m still only 24 which is about the age when a lot of players first get signed.”
He’s hit the ground running in the NRC, scoring nine tries this year, but that should come as no surprise considering his history in this competition. Placid (20 tries) is currently tied alongside Filipo Daugunu as the third highest try scorer in NRC history, behind Tom English (21) and Jake Gordon (26), with Tom Banks (19) also hoping to again trouble the scorers in the Grand Final this weekend.
Banks’ Vikings travel West to take on Placid’s Western Force at 3:00pm (AEDT) on Saturday, live on FOX Sports, with Jonah acutely aware of the threat that the Vikings provide. The two teams come into the match on the back of two markedly different Semi Final experiences; the Force holding off a late four-try charge from Brisbane City to win 43-28, while the Vikings came from behind to beat Fijian Drua 28-27 with a Noah Lolesio shot at goal in extra time to win it.
“Brisbane City are used to the pressure of playing Semi Finals and Finals, and last week against them was really tough – they put us under real pressure right until the end,” Placid said. “The Vikings have got some momentum coming into it for sure.
“When I was watching their Semi Final I initially thought the Drua were all over them, but they put their heads down and came back to secure a great win. We know that they’re hungry and determined and will bring that attitude on Saturday, and we’re going to have to give it back to them.”
Looking back to that first NRC season in 2014, Placid was a key cog in the Melbourne Rising side who went through the campaign undefeated before a shock Semi Final elimination. He believes that the competition has continued to get better and better, and that this weekend’s Grand Final provides an awesome stage for outside backs to strut their stuff.
“When I played in the first NRC in 2014, I thought that was insanely fast, and then in 2015 it was faster again and more physical.
This time around, it’s both again – it’s just improving more and more, and the players are getting stronger and faster. Sambo (Western Force Head Coach Tim Sampson) has done a great job with our game management, with tactics to suit this type of Rugby and I really enjoy playing here.
“I definitely think the outside backs on both teams are really strong, and the role is just to execute what the forwards do. ‘Banksy’ in particular is obviously a top player, and we’ve got to make sure we shut him down defensively early.
“For me personally, I definitely didn’t realise I had scored that many NRC tries. I am just really enjoying my Rugby and have been lucky enough to pick off a few tries on the back of the work from the other boys.”
In terms of goal setting, there’s the not-insignificant matter of the NRC Grand Final to get through, but Placid definitely has his sights set on maximising his return to Australian Rugby in the long term as well.
“Playing for the Wallabies is definitely what I still want to achieve. I want to put on that green and gold jersey, and I’ve come to Perth to start again and be professional and hopefully that dream can come true.
“But first and foremost, my focus is absolutely this weekend. I’m looking forward to it so much. I haven’t played in a Grand Final since representing Easts Rugby Club in the Queensland Premier Rugby decider in 2013, so I can’t wait.”
