Carlo Tizzano Promises Western Force Fans “Biggest Season in Club’s History” Ahead of Super Rugby Opener

The Brumbies arrive in Perth brimming with confidence. The last three clashes between the sides have gone the way of the away team, including a 33-14 Brumbies win in May 2025. At HBF Park, the men from Canberra have claimed seven victories from their past eight visits, including each of the last two. The Force’s only recent home success against the Brumbies was a 34-19 triumph in May 2023.

Yet there is a sense this season could be different.

Saturday’s clash has been dubbed the ‘For The Love Of Rugby Game’, fittingly falling on Valentine’s Day and marking the 20 year anniversary of the Force’s first ever Super Rugby match, also against the Brumbies. The occasion doubles as a personal milestone for flanker Carlo Tizzano, who is set to bring up his 50th Super Rugby cap.

The WA local, recently named a finalist for the 2025 WA Sport Star award, spoke of his pride at the recognition.

"Huge. Being WA born and bred, an athlete, Wallaby and Western Force player means everything to me. Grew up watching the Western Force and the previous award winners. These were the types of people I looked up to growing up so to be a part of the final list is a huge honour so fingers crossed I get the chocolates at the end."

Tizzano said the squad’s anticipation has been building throughout the pre season.

"So excited. The boys are absolutely hissing, like I said, throughout the year coming into this season we owe this city a final and that starts this week against the Brumbies. Pretty much the 20th anniversary right, this is the first game the Western Force had 20 years ago so this is a huge moment for the club, also myself, to be at 50 caps on this occasion, in this season where I feel like this is one of the best Force squads we've had, I'm really, really excited to see what this group can achieve."

His 50 game milestone caps a journey that has taken him across continents and through the uncertainty of the Force’s axing and rebirth, including a spell with Ealing Trailfinders.

"Yeah, huge. It's been a rollercoaster of a ride to make my debut six years ago in 2020 round 1 against the Crusaders for the Waratahs, professional debut for the Force in 2019 to now bringing up 50 Super Rugby caps is pretty cool. It's been a rollercoaster of a ride, starting at the Force, Force getting cut etc, going to England and then coming back but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm proud of my journey, proud of how far I've come, and there's more to come."

Adding to a significant week, Tizzano also announced he and his partner are expecting a baby boy.

With belief surging through the squad, he made one final statement of intent.

"This is going to be the biggest season in the club's history, I can kind of promise you that."