Western Force 2009

[RugbyReg]

LG, very interesting and I look forward to retelling it, as gospel, to everyone I talk rugby to at my mate's party tomorrow night. Stani got very high praise from Alex Evans a couple of years ago, as the most skilled back in Australia. He's obviously got a decent rugby brain there too.

FP, don't forget they have apparently signed Dave 'Big Dog' Te Moana too and Kieran Longbottom is there as well!

 

[brokendown gunfighter]

big dog wasnt signed, contary to reports coming out of NZ
not sure what happened there

 

[Ash]

big dog wasnt signed, contary to reports coming out of NZ
not sure what happened there

A bit of common sense?

Or maybe they watched his games for the Reds from last year?

 

[Cutter]

LG, very interesting and I look forward to retelling it, as gospel, to everyone I talk rugby to at my mate's party tomorrow night. Stani got very high praise from Alex Evans a couple of years ago, as the most skilled back in Australia. He's obviously got a decent rugby brain there too.

They loved him at London Irish and would have him back in a heartbeat.

 

[fatprop]

LG, very interesting and I look forward to retelling it, as gospel, to everyone I talk rugby to at my mate's party tomorrow night. Stani got very high praise from Alex Evans a couple of years ago, as the most skilled back in Australia. He's obviously got a decent rugby brain there too.

They loved him at London Irish and would have him back in a heartbeat.

Staniforth plays rugby like Deans wants it played. With enthusiasm and hard work off the ball.

 

[Lee Grant]

Amen -one of the most under rated Oz players ever and that due to being injured so much and a bout of blindness suffered by Bob Dwyer at the Tahs.

 

[RugbyReg]

AUSTRALIA A flanker Matt Hodgson has signed a two-year contract extension with the Western Force, tying him to the Super 14 franchise until the end of 2011.

The 27-year-old played in all three backrow positions for the Force last season.

He earned 10 caps in 2008 and notched his maiden try in the 22-21 win over the Chiefs at Subiaco Oval.

Hodgson, a foundation squad member of the Force, has tallied 30 Super 14 appearances for the Perth-based franchise since crossing from the Waratahs, where he failed to earn a cap.

"The first three seasons have been terrific for my rugby and I have really enjoyed myself,'' Hodgson said.

"We've got a really good squad and we've got fantastic support here.

"I've been here since year one and we've obviously been improving as a side and are looking to take things to the next level and play in the finals.

"I think that's very much in our reach this season and if we can retain our squad and build on what we've achieved I can see a very bright future at the club.''

Western Force general manager of rugby Mitch Hardy said Hodgson had the potential to advance to Wallabies ranks.

"He has represented Australia at just about every level except the Wallabies,'' Hardy said.

"That is the stage he aspires to, and he is definitely capable of reaching.

"Matt has proven to be a great contributor to the group in the three seasons that he has been here, including being an outstanding leader on our UK tour in August.''

 

[TOCC]

regards the Te Moana issue, apparently its residency/visa issues preventing Te Moana from signing

 

[rugbywhisperer]

regards the Te Moana issue, apparently its residency/visa issues preventing Te Moana from signing

Seems a little bit odd as he was residing and playing on the Gold Coast for quite a while.

 

[brokendown gunfighter]

regards the Te Moana issue, apparently its residency/visa issues preventing Te Moana from signing

Seems a little bit odd as he was residing and playing on the Gold Coast for quite a while.

A visa issue for someone from NZ?
that usually arises if someone is "of dubious character" & the like
interesting to know what the issue was

 

[RugbyReg]

good shot of Drew Mitchell on the Force page:

 

[formeropenside]

good shot of Drew Mitchell on the Force page:

not that there is anything wrong with that

 

[Lee Grant]

It must be part of a gay subscription drive.

It will get bums - on seats.

 

[RugbyReg]

definitely a queer campaign

 

[Ash]

Maybe they're tageting the rainbow nation?

 

[RugbyReg]

sheees :nta:

I wonder if this contains the "Mitchell Files"

Emirates Western Force management are appealing for information in relation to a stolen laptop computer containing vital analysis software.

The computer was stolen from the vehicle of a member of team management at approximately 8.15pm-8.30pm from the City Beach car park on Wednesday night (21 Jan).

The staff member said the laptop is useless to a regular user.

?The laptop that was stolen is of great use to the Western Force as it is the main laptop used for the analysis of our performance,? said the staff member.

?It has some very rugby specific software loaded on it which would be useless to anybody else who had possession of it but is crucial to us,? he said.

?It contains a lot of historical video footage that would require a lot of man hours to replace.?

The laptop is of very distinct appearance as it is a 3-year-old Pioneer computer with a 17? wide screen and weighs approximately 5kg (with a black plastic base and shiny aluminium lid).

When taken the laptop was contained in a black backpack with wheels (known as a DragBag) and had various other items in with it, such as a ?Pinnacle? video capture device.

Anyone with information is urged to contact RugbyWA on (08) 9387-0700. A reward will be offered with the safe return of the equipment.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

My prediction;
"the committee of notable experts of unimpeachable background has found no basis for the accusations fowarded and can find no cause to further impede the work being done by such a fine, upstanding and determined person. Mr. Mitchell is free to carry on his duties".

"In an effort to refine and ratify contract arrangements, a number of players have been asked to appear before the committee".

 

[formeropenside]

sheees :nta:

I wonder if this contains the "Mitchell Files"

Emirates Western Force management are appealing for information in relation to a stolen laptop computer containing vital analysis software.

The computer was stolen from the vehicle of a member of team management at approximately 8.15pm-8.30pm from the City Beach car park on Wednesday night (21 Jan).

The staff member said the laptop is useless to a regular user.

?The laptop that was stolen is of great use to the Western Force as it is the main laptop used for the analysis of our performance,? said the staff member.

?It has some very rugby specific software loaded on it which would be useless to anybody else who had possession of it but is crucial to us,? he said.

?It contains a lot of historical video footage that would require a lot of man hours to replace.?

The laptop is of very distinct appearance as it is a 3-year-old Pioneer computer with a 17? wide screen and weighs approximately 5kg (with a black plastic base and shiny aluminium lid).

When taken the laptop was contained in a black backpack with wheels (known as a DragBag) and had various other items in with it, such as a ?Pinnacle? video capture device.

Anyone with information is urged to contact RugbyWA on (08) 9387-0700. A reward will be offered with the safe return of the equipment.

When I read "Mitchell files" my first thought was of the gay porn Drew Mitchell's mug shot was a still from. Then I realised you meant the coach.

 

[formeropenside]

*shrug* I don't usually post Force news, but this is interesting.

Western Force continue their efforst to sign Kiwi prop Tim Fairbrother
By Bret Harris
January 28, 2009

WESTERN Force has renewed its effort to recruit New Zealand prop Tim Fairbrother as the Super 14 team continues its international search for a tighthead to anchor the scrum.

The Force showed interest in Fairbrother, a specialist tight-head who plays for the Hurricanes, a couple of years ago.

When the ARU opened the door to foreign players this season, the Force was hoping to find an import to wear the ocean blue No.3 jersey. They had discussions with Springboks prop Jannie du Plessis, but he wanted to come as a package deal with his Test hooker brother, Bismarck.

While teams are allowed to sign two imports, they can only sign one "marquee" player, which ruled out bringing in both the brothers.

The bonus with Fairbrother is that he would not take up one of the Force's import spots because he is already eligible to play for the Wallabies.

One of the best props in New Zealand not to have played for the All Blacks, Fairbrother, 26, has an Australian grandparent.

A strong scrummager, Fairbrother's promising career has been interrupted by injury and illness but he would be a valuable acquisition for the Force.

 

[Lee Grant]

He would be a terrific acquisition because THP is the Force's most significant need. A good LHP would be handy also.

I question, however, the usefulness to the Force of publicising their intent.

I wonder when they expect to get him? He's listed to play a trial for the Canes against the Brumbies; so he must be signed up for them.

Are they talking about next year?