Western Force 2007

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Burgs
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Western Force 2007

Post by Burgs »

This is the season preview I did for TWF which may be of interest to regarding the Force
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Burgs


Western Force 2007


Coach: John Mitchell
Captain: Nathan Sharpe (Vice Captains Scott Fava & Scott Staniforth)
Ground: Subiaco Oval

Squad:
Richard Brown, Brendan Cannon, Pekahou Cowan, Ryan Cross, Michael Dan, Scott Daruda, Luke Doherty, Scott Fava, Matt Giteau, Gareth Hardy, Matt Henjak, James Hilgendorf, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Digby Ioane, Tai McIsaac, Lachlan MacKay, Drew Mitchell, Pat O'Connor*, Chris O'Young, Junior Pelesasa, David Pocock*, David Pusey, Haig Sare*, Angus Scott, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Brett Stapleton, Troy Takiari, Rudi Vedelago, AJ Whalley, Matt Windle
* = 2006 Apprentice now Full Contract.

Apprentices:
Contracted- Michael Dan, Tom Hockings, Jon McGrath
Academy- Dan Bailey, Will Brock, Tim Carslaw, Joseph Egan, Kieran Longbottom, Curtis Maclean, John Menehira, Angus Neilson, Brendan O'Dea, Adam Scari, Jock Stanley, James Stannard, Ryan Tyrell, Cole Unasa, Justin Webster, Darren Van Wyk, Garth Ziegler. (Academy Players are all locally based players, with a couple of Rugby immigrants who have made Western Australia home.)

Arrivals:
Ryan Cross (NSW, NRL, Sydney Roosters), Michael Dan (NSW, St Josephs- Eastwood- Aus Under 21), Matt Giteau (Brumbies), Tom Hockings (Qld, Aus Under 21), Jon McGrath (ACT, Brumby Runners-Norths) Drew Mitchell (Reds), Troy Takiari (NSW, Norths, Waratahs Squad)

Departures:
Vitori Buatava (Gold Coast QRU), Tim Davidson (Sydney Uni NSWRU), Gavin DeBartolo (Eastern Suburbs NSWRU), David Fitter (London Irish English Premier), Josh Fuimaono (Gold Coast QRU), Josh Graham (NRL Gold Coast Titans), Brock James (CSM Clermont French Pro 16), Tajhon Mailata (Bay Of Plenty NPC NZ), Zander Peden (Undecided), David Te Moana (Manawatu NPC NZ), Ben Ward (University QRU), John Welborn (Retired)

Selection Issues:
With some excellent new faces at the Force in ’07 and junior players improving dramatically in the last twelve months, Coach John Mitchell starts the new season faced with an enviable problem, who to leave out and how to get the mix right especially in an explosive backline.

A season ago Mat Giteau, Ryan Cross and Drew Mitchell could have virtually walked straight into the #12, #13 & #15 jerseys respectively however, much has changed for the Force in twelve months.

Scott Staniforth rose to be the form Inside Centre and leading Australian try scorer in S14, Cameron Shepherd excelled at Full Back for both the Force and country.
Junior Pelesasa has bulked up and returned from injury.
Mat Giteau has played at Scrum Half for the Wallabies.
Haig Sare came from nowhere to one of the finds of the year in the outside backs.
It may have even crossed Mitchell’s mind that a few injuries wouldn’t go astray!

The biggest issue that has been discussed has been were to play the golden boy, Mat Giteau.
A massive coup for the Force in getting him however, with him comes a massive headache.
Where to play him?
Do you play him in his best position or in the position that allows the next best players to be selected properly?
Giteau at #12 probably means Staniforth wasted out on the Wing and no Lachlan MacKay.
Giteau at #10 could lead to ’06 star James Hilgendorf out of the twenty two.
Giteau at #9 and expecting a full 80 minutes out of him would put paid to Matt Henjak and Chris O’Young for the week.
While Giteau has maintained he came to Perth to play #12, in recent days Coach Mitchell has softened his hard-line opposition to Giteau at Scrum Half during the match, indicating it may allow an extra utility player on the bench.

To a lesser extent there are some selection issues arising for the Forwards, basically how to fit fourteen players into eight jerseys!

For the following positions all these players are worthy of a start and perhaps only tactics and injury will decide on the day.

Prop: Gareth Hardy, Angus Scott and Troy Takiari.
Hooker: Brendan Cannon, Tai McIsaac
Lock: Nathan Sharpe but then Rudi Vedelago, Pat O’Connor and David Pusey.
Blindside: Luke Doherty and David Pusey.
Openside: Probably the most even contest of all, Matt Hodgson, Richard Brown and future star David “Bam-Bam” Pocock.

Injury permitting, the only guaranteed starts in the Forwards would be for the two Forwards leaders, Captain Nathan Sharpe at Lock and VC Scott Fava at #8, the rest is a lottery.

Only time and injury will tell but there will certainly be some long meetings around the selection table at Perry Lakes this season.

Possible 1st XV:

1. Angus Scott
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Troy Takiari
4. David Pusey
5. Nathan Sharpe ©
6. Luke Doherty
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava (VC)
9. Matt Henjak
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Digby Ioane
12. Mat Giteau
13. Ryan Cross
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd
16. Gareth Hardy
17. Tai McIsaac
18. Rudi Vedelago
19. Richard Brown
20. Scott Staniforth
21. Haig Sare
22. Junior Pelesasa

Prospects:
There are probably a few ways at looking at the prospects for the Western Force in their second year however I will look at Home v Away.

Method 1: Home v Away; This season the Force will enjoy a much more forgiving schedule and an extra Home match as well.
Generally in 2006 the Force (excepting the Blues) was competitive in all the Away fixtures against, generally, the weaker teams.
In ’07 the Force will host the following Fixtures (‘06 Score in brackets):

Round 1- Highlanders (Lost 25-22)
Round 4- Cats/Lions (Drew 34-34)
Round 6- Hurricanes (Lost 29-5)
Round 7- Reds (Lost 29-18.)
Round 8- Bye
Round 9- Sharks (Lost 41-25)
Round 13- Cheetahs (Won 14-16)
Round 14- Blues (Lost 39-8.)

Any genuine Super 14 team would be planning to record a win with all seven of those fixtures.
The Highlanders and Hurricanes pre All Blacks, the Lions in disarray, pride and World Cup selection on the line for the Reds, equitable Squads against the Sharks and Cheetahs and the mother of all pay back matches against the Blues to finish.
The Away schedule is far more taxing and hopefully won’t have too much of a bearing on the Home fixtures.

Round 2- Stormers (Lost 25-26)
Round 3- Bulls (Lost 21-30)
Round 5- Waratahs (Lost 7-32)
Round 10- Crusaders (Robbed 23-23)
Round 11- Chiefs (Lost 9-26)
Round 12- Brumbies (Lost 10-25)

The nature of the Super 14 schedule makes it all the harder for the Away team with the consecutive matches on the road and this is increased by having to play last years 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th & 11th placed teams in their own back yard.

Unfortunately for the Force they only play two New Zealand teams in the first eight rounds. The Highlanders will only be without a couple of players anyway however, it does make life a little easier against an undermanned Hurricanes unit at Subiaco.

Prediction:
In all, the Western Force would be aiming for a Finals berth however probably around the seven wins with a handful of bonus points would be a fair appraisal of the coming season.
Between 5th & 8th.
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Burgs
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Force can win Super 14, says Deans

Post by Burgs »

Following last nights Pre Season fixture against the Crusaders in Melbourne, the normally very reserved Crusaders Coach Robbie Deans gave this glowing assesment of the Force for 2007, here's hoping he is right!!!

Force can win Super 14, says Deans


Saturday, January 20, 2007, c/o Rugby Heaven

Western Force lost its trial match against the Crusaders last night but won the respect of the most successful Super 14 coach, Robbie Deans, who said the Perth team was capable of winning the competition.

The defending champion Crusaders came home with a wet sail at Princes Park, scoring two unanswered tries in the second half to take a 28-12 victory.

The Christchurch side held a 14-12 lead after a hard-fought first half, but lifted a notch as the Force faded amidst a number of personnel and positional changes.

While his team went down, rugby league convert Ryan Cross enjoyed a successful transition to his new code as he opened the scoring for the Force in the ninth minute.

Deans was delighted with his own side's performance, particularly in the second half and in the absence of six All Blacks, who have been rested for the first half of the competition because of the upcoming World Cup.

But he was also impressed with the Force, who were missing rested million-dollar man Matt Giteau and fellow Wallaby and skipper Nathan Sharpe.

"There's no doubt they're a team that's more than capable of winning the comp," said Deans, who has steered his side to six Super 12/14 titles.

"They're going to be a handful and they showed that early, and they've got some real class to add to that mix.

"You can just tell they're a little bit more comfortable in their role play, in their environment they're a little bit more settled."


Cross, who defected to rugby from the Sydney Roosters after almost a decade in the NRL, touched down in the ninth minute when he smartly changed his angle to run on to a ball from inside centre Junior Pelesasa.

Wallaby Cameron Shepherd converted the try to give the Force an early 7-0 lead.

Other stand-outs for the Force included Pelesasa, tireless skipper Scott Fava, exciting 18-year-old flanker David Pocock, and hard-running winger Digby Ioane, who made a number of breaks.

Ioane, however, contributed to the Crusaders first try in the 29th minute.

He failed to ground a kick into the in-goal by winger Scott Hamilton, which was pounced on by No.8 Jake Paringatai, with promising five-eighth Stephen Brett adding the extras.

With the Crusaders forced to rest their leading All Blacks, Brett showed he has the ability to fill the breach left by star Dan Carter.

He and Hamilton combined to put the Crusaders ahead 14-7 before the Force closed the gap to two points just before the break.

Pelesasa again made a break, shrugging off some flimsy defence before he found Shepherd.

Force coach John Mitchell said he was happy with his side's early form and expected the fade-out.

"We had a number of young players playing their first 80 minutes," he said.

"But I was pleased with our first 45 minutes, when we had a good high tempo and controlled the attack."

After both sides made a number of changes, the Crusaders lifted to take control of the match, with tries to fullback Brent Ward and lock Isaac Ross.

AAP
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pwrmoore
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Post by pwrmoore »

thanks for the update burgs, best of luck to TWF for the new season, we'll be watching :D
Paul.

C'mon Ulsterrrrrrrrr! :red:
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Post by the lone hydrangea »

Burgs dont trust Deans, hes a Kiwi. 5 to 7 wins would be awesome. Give me 8th spot, i'd be happy in our second year. We are competitive so a spot higher up could eventuate. Lets hope so.
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Burgs
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Post by Burgs »

I don't trust him but in my experience he rarely speaks on other teams, very elusive generally.
From their All Black days he and Mitch are extremely competitive (in a healthy mates way) and it was mentioned thatthe Melbourne meeting was sure to include a solid season between them on the squash court :D
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Post by Judith Harrison »

Many thanks Burgs! Of course you would realise that I used to be Brumbies Mum, thru and thru, as Justin was there from start. He then had short career with Waratahs..But I reckon..any team in co-horts with Ulster has got my vote...Go the Force!!! U have combined a very good team for this year, and u'll do well. I've always thought Mitchell is great Coach too. Cheers from Judy
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Post by Judith Harrison »

Hey, Burgs - what about this Brennan stuff in Ulster game..almost unbelievable..don't ever remember ever seeing the likes of this before, can you? In a Rugby game?! Such a horrible incident, he'll be banned for sure, and should have criminal assault charges - the photos are too graphic to avoid that!!
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Post by jamesie »

come on the force!!! :D
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Burgs
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Post by Burgs »

We like to think of Western Australia as the crucible of all fair minded Rugby people Judy (and our Ulster mates) all are welcome :D
In the earliest days of the process that became the Force I had my fingers crossed for 4. J. Harrison, 5. N. Sharpe but fate didn't have it mapped that way.
The Brennan stuff is getting a fair hammering elsewhere (and the incident is a disgusting situation) however as far as Justin is concerned I bet he wanted to have his name involved like a hole in the head?!!!
Sounds as if they may have a little bit of a history already?
As for the Force, as you would have seen back on TWF, we are all pretty hopeful of a vastly better win-loss record this year.
From the outset Mitch has always said it to be a three year project and I think on balance he is in front of schedule.

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ThirtyThreeNil
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Post by ThirtyThreeNil »

Sounds like big things are expected of the force this season. http://www.scrum.com/news/news_detail.asp?newsid=40029

Best of luck to the force. We'll be shouting you on from Ulster.
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