Western Force 2010

[farva]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Takiari is off to Grenoble now.
That means 4 props are off this year (Hardy, Whalley, Castle and Takiari) with only Fairbrother and Dunning coming in.
As far as I know, Force only have 4 props left with Cowen, Fairbrother, Dunning and Longbottom. This would be a great time to pick up a young local prop or two to develop under the senior guys. He wont get a game for a few years, but will get plenty of experience and be better for it.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

I wonder if they are looking at someone like Herman Hunt? Although there's probably a few good'uns around to look at. Even Gaven Warren from GPS up here.

It would seem the Force are making some big decisions because by my way of thinking three of the departing players (Daruda, Takiari and Whalley) were all contracted in 2010. So they have released them.

That's a big call and requires a lot of new players coming through.

As far as I can tell, these are their contracted players for next year (and beyond):

Sam Wykes 2011
Ryan Cross 2011
Matt Hodgson 2011
Tom Hockings 2011
Richard Stanford 2011
Nick Cummins 2011
Pek Cowan 2011
Brett Sheehan 2011
Tim Fairbrother 2011
Richard Brown 2011
Matt Dunning 2011
Cameron Shepherd 2010
Chris O'Young 2010
David Pocock 2010
Nathan Sharpe 2010

Apparently they have signed Ben McCalman, although I haven't heard confirmation of it.

There are however these guys, who I have no idea as to their contract status:

Dane Haylett-Petty
Haig Sare
Josh Tatupu
Kieran Longbottom
Luke Holmes

That's 21 signed, in a best case. Another 7 at least to go you would think.

Perhaps they are waiting for the QLD Schoolboys trials this weekend before signing their next group ...

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Don't forget that, but for ARU intervention not so long ago, the Waratahs might be extinct.

Geez Cutter - my mention of the marketplace wasn't all Chicago - even Friedman would intervene when a disaster is likely to happen such as the financial collapse of the rugby union that provides 60- 65% of Oz players.

The last time I mentioned the marketplace somebody argued that it was responsible for the collapse of the world economy. Well, that and greed IMO. There should be intervention to help out in those situations and regulations to stop the disasters happening. The next time time I mention the marketplace I will have to give disclaimers about the world economy and the financial collapse of rugby unions, and think of what else people will object to.

My point was that franchise rugby management can't be mollycoddled when they have made a operational error, else they will get more and more reckless knowing that the ARU will fix things up.

In my view being short of a few players here and there does not does not make for a disaster. There are one or two decent flyhalves running around in Sydney to back up Pretorius, as you have mentioned elsewhere, and there are props such as LHP Eddie Aholelei of Manly, who I have mentioned elsewhere, but they have to be contracted early so they can be given fitness and physical targets to achieve before they show up in Perth.

 

[Lindommer]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

From The Australian today

* Australian under 20s captain Damian Fitzpatrick has rejected an offer from the Western Force to re-sign with NSW Waratahs for two years. Fitzpatrick would have commanded a starting position at the Force, but he preferred to stay at the Waratahs to develop his game. His decision is a big setback to the Force, which is anxious to find a replacement for retired Wallabies hooker Tai McIsaac.

Mmmm. Probably a good decision for Fitzy but not for Oz rugby. Why doesn't Freier grab this opportunity and head across the Nullabor? If either Moore or TPN get injured (highly likely) Adam's the next cab off the rank for the foreseeable future. It would do his case the world of good to be a starter rather than a reserve.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

I can't remember, has TPN actually re-signed yet?

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

No, he hasn't TTBOMK.

Fitzy staying at the Tahs is a big call but we should take his comments at face value: he would ldevelop his game more under Foley at the Tahs, than from coaches over there. Then you have the comforts of home and the likelihood that Hass will go elsewhere when his contract expires

To counter that you've got the priceless learning on the job opportunity at the Force - especially if the Force can't come up with an experienced hooker.

It sounds like more poor planning from the Force. At least they should have retained Hardy as a contingency. As a LHP he is not a world beater but he has played hooker for Sydney Uni for the best part of a season and is not the worst thrower to lineout.

Please no posts that mention that the ARU should get some other hooker contracted to a S14 to go to Perth.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

apparently Mulvihill is moving on/being moved on and Melrose is moving west..

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Good move; I rate him.

Now all they need are a reserve flyhalf, and a couple of props and hookers for their squad.

 

[farva]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

They need:

A starting Hooker (has Luke Holmes moved on? I think he has. He was never good enough to start though).
A reserve prop.
A reserve flyhalf/centre
An extended squad outside back.

And in regards to Takiari and Hardy, when the Force front row starters went off this season in Cowen and Castle, the reserves really cost them - look at the Hurricanes game for one. Since these guys have been in the squad for 4 years or so now, and havent really gone anywhere, Force might just be cutting their losses.
I hear rumours that Pusey is going to be given the arse as well.

 

[Biffo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

The Force's prop stocks include Fairbrother, Cowan, Tucky and LongBum. Another and they will be reasonably set up.

 

[farva]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

The Force's prop stocks include Fairbrother, Cowan, Tucky and LongBum. Another and they will be reasonably set up.

All they need is a young one to develop. Wont necessarily even be a bench player for a few years.

 

[hatchie]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Heard rumours early on in the week, but now it is confirmed - Nic Henderson has signed for two years.

Hookers on the radar: Hardman (hi fos), Manly's Elvis Taione and Waikato's Oli Avei.

Ex-Brumbies player Mark Bartholomeusz, who played for Padova this season, is also in talks with the Force.

source: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25700175-5005403,00.html
and below: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25718486-5002381,00.html

Western Force sign former Wallabies prop Nic Henderson for two seasons

Western Force have added another piece to their formidable front row puzzle with the acquisition of former Wallabies prop Nic Henderson for the next two Super 14 seasons.
Henderson notched 70 Super caps in seven seasons for the Brumbies and made three appearances for Australia.

The 28-year-old joins Wallabies Matt Dunning and Pek Cowan as well as former Hurricane Tim Fairbrother at the Force.

Henderson, a 117kg specialist loosehead, felt he had gone somewhat stale at the Brumbies.

"I've been in the Brumbies program my entire rugby career so far and I felt like part of the furniture down in Canberra, but the time had come to look for a fresh opportunity," Henderson said.

"I played in seven of 13 games for the Brumbies this year and I'd count that as a very disappointing season.

"My motivation was a bit down and I definitely needed a new start.

"I'm coming into the second half of my career and I've got a huge desire to improve.

"A change is as good as a holiday they say, but I think whenever you go into a new environment there's plenty of incentive to do well.”

Henderson played rugby league as a junior and was snapped up by NRL side Melbourne Storm in 2000.

He made the switch to rugby in 2002 and was fast-tracked into the Australian Under 21s set-up later that year.

In 2004, Henderson debuted for both the Brumbies and Wallabies.

But despite cementing his place in the Brumbies' set-up, he was only able to add two more Tests to his name, the last coming in 2006 against Italy.

"We think Nic adds experience and strength to our front row stocks and leaves us with outstanding depth in that area for the 2010 season," Force rugby manager Mitch Hardy said.

"We now have three capped Wallaby props, with Tim Fairbrother sure to push for higher honours, too.

"Nic was a leader at the Brumbies, and we're certain he'll bring those qualities with him as well."

Meanwhile, teenage sensation James O'Connor is expected to sign for the Force once he signs a new deal with the Australian Rugby Union.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Good signing. Good move.

 

[formeropenside]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Don't tempt me Hatchie - I'm playing nice now since this is a Force thread.

But a good acquisition for the Force, and Henderson was a bit surplus to requirements at the Brums.

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Hookers on the radar: Hardman (hi fos), Manly's Elvis Taione and Waikato's Oli Avei.

In the Sydney club thread I mentioned the Manly front row as being under-rated. Elvis would do OK but he shouldn't be the main guy.

And the Force could do worse than acquire Manly LHP Eddie Aholelei.

 

[Cutter]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Lee is this just a wicked plot to hamstring your successful peninsula neighbours and the Rats' sworn enemies?

 

[naza]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Lee is this just a wicked plot to hamstring your successful peninsula neighbours and the Rats' sworn enemies?

Just 9 more teams to go...

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Lee is this just a wicked plot to hamstring your successful peninsula neighbours and the Rats' sworn enemies?

Hardly wicked.

Just 9 more teams to go...

So little time; so much to do.

 

[Lindommer]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Hookers on the radar: Hardman (hi fos), Manly's Elvis Taione and Waikato's Oli Avei.

What happened to that hooker for the East Coast Aces? Josh Mann-Rae wasn't it? He looked good enough to play Super rugby.

 

[formeropenside]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Hookers on the radar: Hardman (hi fos), Manly's Elvis Taione and Waikato's Oli Avei.

What happened to that hooker for the East Coast Aces? Josh Mann-Rae wasn't it? He looked good enough to play Super rugby.

Agree with that.

Ole Avei is another good option, but I'm not sure how keen he will be to go to the Force, being Digby's cousin.

EDIT: so Hatchie does not go off half-cocked again, there were reports at the time Digby left that he didn't like the Force's boozy culture. I could be wrong about that.