Western Force 2010

[Pfitzy]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Horua's a bit of a git to be honest. One of those types who looked to be a bigger badder schoolboy than everyone else but didn't grow the right temperament as a result.

 

[Ash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,25256449-5005401,00.html

Half Force squad out of contract at end of 2009
Article from: PerthNow

Nick Taylor, rugby writer

March 28, 2009 06:30pm

THE WESTERN Force faces the daunting reality that more than half its squad comes off-contract at the end of the season, with some ready to leave.
Club officials are in urgent renegotiation talks with a number of players and with possible replacements.

But chief executive Greg Harris said the club was not interested in signing those players who only want to play for the money.

"We're looking at guys who want to be here, who want to be a part of the Western Force," he said.

"We want guys who want to come here to better their football and not just for money or a commercial outcome."

Those to have already announced their departures are Matt Giteau, who is going back home to the
Brumbies, hooker Tai McIsaac to Japan, prop Ben Castle to Newport Gwent Dragons, utility back Scott Staniforth, who will be given an early release to play in Japan, and flanker Tamaiti Horua to Ulster.

Others, including second row David Pusey, who fell out of favour with coach John Mitchell last year, and centre Junior Pelesasa are also considering overseas moves.

...

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

hmmm, some considerable names on that list:

Drew Mitchell 2009
Gareth Hardy 2009
James O'Connor 2009
Josh Valentine 2009
Nick Cummins 2009
Richard Brown 2009

 

[Ash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Grant wants to stay with the Stormers apparently, but the Force are still hopefult.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25277965-5002381,00.html

No Force for me: Peter Grant

By Iain Payten
April 02, 2009

The Stormers star wanted by the Force to replace Matt Giteau had a double dose of bad news for Australian teams - he's happy in Cape Town and his side is set to "click" against the New South Wales.

Springbok five-eighth Peter Grant is being chased by the Force as a marquee overseas star for 2010 in a bid to stop young talent like James O'Connor from following Giteau in moving back east.

Grant's parents live in Perth but the former Springbok playmaker said he has no immediate plans to join them.

"If I do consider a move, Perth would be a better option than anywhere else to be near my family. But I haven't planned on moving to Perth, no," Grant said in Sydney. "I am off contract next year but I am very happy at this point. I'm looking to extend at the Stormers."

There may be a touch of brinkmanship in Grant's comments, however, with Force insiders saying they're still confident of snaring the 24-year-old.

...

 

[formeropenside]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

A few stayings of note:

Western Force forwards Tom Hockings and Richard Stanford have re-signed with the Super 14 club for a further two years.

Hockings, 23, has played every match this season after featuring in 10 games last year.

The 112kg lock from north Queensland represented Australia at junior level before bursting onto the Super 14 scene last season.

Stanford, a 110kg flanker who can also play at lock, joined the Force at the start of the season after two years at the Brumbies, where he earned six caps.

The 22-year-old made his run-on debut in the 23-23 draw with the Crusaders in round five.

"We're delighted to have secured both Tom and Richard for the next two years and we've clearly demonstrated that both players are considered important squad members as we build for the future," RugbyWA general manager of rugby Mitch Hardy said of the duo, who have re-signed until the end of 2011.

"Both are young, athletic forwards and while Tom has been here for a couple of seasons, Richard has certainly made an impression in his limited game time so far this season.

"We hope to have more signatures on contracts over the coming weeks but securing two more of our talented youngsters on the back of Sam Wykes' announcement last month is a good sign for the organisation."

But the future of No.8 Richard Brown and backs James O'Connor and Drew Mitchell remain up in the air.

 

[PhucNgo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Grant wants to stay with the Stormers apparently, but the Force are still hopefult.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25277965-5002381,00.html

No Force for me: Peter Grant

By Iain Payten
April 02, 2009

The Stormers star wanted by the Force to replace Matt Giteau had a double dose of bad news for Australian teams - he's happy in Cape Town and his side is set to "click" against the New South Wales.

Springbok five-eighth Peter Grant is being chased by the Force as a marquee overseas star for 2010 in a bid to stop young talent like James O'Connor from following Giteau in moving back east.

Grant's parents live in Perth but the former Springbok playmaker said he has no immediate plans to join them.

"If I do consider a move, Perth would be a better option than anywhere else to be near my family. But I haven't planned on moving to Perth, no," Grant said in Sydney. "I am off contract next year but I am very happy at this point. I'm looking to extend at the Stormers."

There may be a touch of brinkmanship in Grant's comments, however, with Force insiders saying they're still confident of snaring the 24-year-old.

...

Probably a lucky break for the Force. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of Grant's. Too much in the mould of Steven Donald for my liking, and anyway, probably more a pup tent than a marquee, so wouldn't qualify. Is Jimmy Hilgendorf still playing?

Shame about Horua tho, gees he's bulked up since he went to Japan. If only they had a front row, and preferably not the Tahs'.

 

[formeropenside]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

From Growden's R&M:

? An ageing but high-ranking Wallaby has his nose seriously out of joint after hearing someone else has been promised the captaincy at his province next season. This could prompt the disenchanted player to depart the Wallabies before the next World Cup. We've been told his CV is already being passed around in France and Japan. And no, this is not a Waratahs problem.

Seems like Sharpe at the Force to me is a likely candidate here. Its unlikely to be Mortlock, and I can't think of any Qld players who are ageing (save Hardman, and he's not exactly a high-ranking Wallaby).

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

yeah its clearly Sharpe, with Pocock (I assume) to be skipper.

 

[Pfitzy]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

And why not? Having a seagull as skipper doesn't benefit anyone.

 

[Ash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Barnes and Halangahu join the list.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25295055-5002381,00.html

Western Froce look to Barnes and Halangahu to replace Giteau

By Wayne Smith
April 06, 2009

The Western Force are set to widen their search for Matt Giteau's replacement by sounding out Queensland and New South Wales five-eighths Berrick Barnes and Daniel Halangahu.

Force chief executive Greg Harris said yesterday he had not spoken to either player yet, but is adamant he will not be caught short if he misses his primary target, Peter Grant, the Springbok and Stormers playmaker.

Grant, whose parents have moved to Perth from South Africa, last week issued a carefully measured denial of media reports that he was set to follow them to WA.

But it was difficult to tell whether he truly intends to reject the Force offer or is merely keeping his options open in a season when he still would hope to figure in the Boks' three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

Gallery: All the action from Super 14 week eight

"It (finding a new five-eighth) is not something I want to do in haste," Harris said.

"So a Daniel Halangahu would have to figure in anyone's consideration, as would a Berrick Barnes."

On the evidence of last Friday night's clash with the Reds at Subiaco Oval, the Force already has an outstanding Giteau substitute, 18-year-old James O'Connor.

The trouble is he is unsure he wants to shoulder the responsibility of steering the team just yet and, besides, there is no guarantee he will not follow Giteau to the Brumbies for 2010.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

good signing

Western Force winger Nick Cummins has signed a new two-year deal with the Super 14 club.

Cummins starred in the Force's 39-7 triumph against the Reds and is fast becoming a key cog in the club's backline.

The 21-year-old, who has 14 Super caps to his name, burst onto the international scene with a sizzling two-year stint with the Australian Sevens team before linking with the Force last season.

Cummins joins Sam Wykes, Richard Stanford and Tom Hockings as players to have re-signed this year.

"Nick is a player with enormous potential and that's been plainly evident with the rapid progress he's made from his first to second year of professional rugby," RugbyWA general manager of rugby Mitch Hardy said.

"When it came to prioritising our contract negotiations, Nick's name was near the top of the list.

"He had attracted strong interest from elsewhere but we're delighted that he has decided to stay with the club for at least a further two seasons."

Meanwhile, the Force will again be without star back Cameron Shepherd when they tackle Super 14 rivals the Hurricanes at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.

Shepherd has missed the past two games after re-injuring the same ankle he broke while playing for the Wallabies last year.

Coach John Mitchell named an unchanged line-up from the team that dismantled the Reds last week.

"There were many pleasing aspects of last weekend's win but the most satisfying was that it came through a whole team effort," Mitchell said.

"We built the win on the back of some strong defence and we were able to maintain our physicality throughout."

The Force are six points adrift of fourth spot and need to beat the Hurricanes to keep their finals hopes alive.

 

[Ash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Updated for Drew Mitchell.

Some interesting times ahead for the Force...

Drew Mitchell to join Waratahs

Tim Clarke, www.watoday.com.au | April 22, 2009 - 7:32PM

EXCLUSIVE

The exodus at the Western Force in 2009 continues.

Having lost Matt Giteau, and subsequently the chief executive whose job it was to try and keep him, the Force are set to lose star winger Drew Mitchell to the NSW Waratahs.

With Giteau on his way to Canberra, CEO Greg Harris announced his intention to return to Sydney after just over 12 months in the job.

His replacement is former Perth Wildcats boss Vern Reid.

The pair's first job was to speak to Mitchell this afternoon - a meeting that appears to have resulted in the 25-year-old telling the club he was following good friend Giteau out of the door.

The official announcement is expected on Friday.

As late as yesterday, Force officials were still hopeful Mitchell would be staying, saying he was torn between the lucrative offer on the table from the Force and other interests in the east.

Mitchell would not confirm the reports this afternoon.

It caps an eventful day for the Force, who announced Harris' departure this morning after a turbulent 12 months since he replaced Peter O'Meara.

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

JO'C has become a super hot property. He is in fantastic form and must be pushing for a Wallaby starting jersey.

The Brums want him to replace Gerrarrd or even continue his partnership with Gits.

The Tahs want him to provide an inside back with penetration.

The Reds could do with him as a long term fullback answer, potentially up there with Latho.
And the Force are desperate for him to maintain some credibility and rebuild their franchise.

 

[Aussie D]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Are the Force chasing Lealifano at all? With Gits going back and Leo off contract it wouldn't be a bad move...

 

[louie]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

i'm pretty sure leo has one more year left and by the looks of things he doesn't want to go anywhere

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Western Force in talks with former South Africa fly half Derick Hougaard

By Bret Harris
April 29, 2009

Derick Hougaard made his Test debut for South Africa against Uruguay at Subiaco Oval during the 2003 World Cup and, if Western Force have their way, the ground could become his permanent base next year.

The Force are believed to be chasing Hougaard as a marquee import to replace Canberra-bound Matt Giteau next year.

Hougaard, who played 43 Super rugby games for the Bulls and eight Tests for the Springboks, is playing for English club Leicester.

Apart from his playmaking skills, Hougaard is also an excellent goal kicker, having scored 161 points in 14 matches in the Bulls' Super 14 title-winning season in 2007.

The Force had previously talked to another South African five-eighth, Stormers fly half Peter Grant, as part of the club's search for a replacement for Giteau.

It is imperative the Force recruits a dominant five-eighth, particularly if utility back James O'Connor follows Giteau to the Brumbies.

Even if O'Connor stays in Perth, the Force would rather play him at inside centre or fullback than first receiver at this early stage of his career.

The Force are expected to receive a boost with the re-signing of Wallabies number eight Richard Brown, who had been chased by the other three Australian teams: Brumbies, New South Wales Waratahs and Queensland Reds.

And the Force look set to be boosted by the recruitment of NSW halfback Brett Sheehan and second rower Will Caldwell, who are seriously considering competitive offers from the west.

Sheehan is the type of physical halfback that Force coach John Mitchell likes, while Caldwell, a quiet achiever at the Waratahs, would add experience to the tight five.

The arrival of Sheehan in Perth would most likely see the departure of Josh Valentine, who may attract interest in Canberra.

The Force must seek to rebuild their roster following the impending departure of Giteau, fullback Drew Mitchell, winger Scott Staniforth, inside centre Junior Pelesasa, tighthead prop Ben Castle and backrower Taimati Horua.

The team flew out of Perth on Tuseday for their two-game tour of South Africa where it will look to continue its unlikley bid for a place in the play-offs.

Caldwell????? Wow. Surely the Tahs wouldn't let him go?

 

[fatprop]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

With Hockings, Sharpe and Weekes, why do they need another lock?

 

[fatprop]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Hopefully Beale and O'Conner builds a good relationship at the U20s RWC this year and he sees benefits in moving to the Tahs next

 

[Ash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Geez, Caldwell is just the type of player the Force need though in their tight 5. But as FP said, they have Hockings, Wykes, Pusey, Sharpe, plus O'Connor fighting it out for that starting lock position.

Some rumours have been around that Sharpe is on the outer there, but his season has been better than last years. That being said, a locking combination of Sharpe and Caldwell, followed by Hockings and Caldwell would serve the Force VERY well, and would be tragic for the Tahs.

The Tahs are still chasing Vickers and Elsom hard, though.

Also can't understand why the Force would let Valentine leave to sign Sheehan. IMHO Valentine has been very good for the Force this year, better than Sheehan would have been.

PS Hougaard and Caldwell added to the front page.

PPS Tragic that the Reds didn't manage to poach Brown back.

 

[Ash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Forgot Stanford too, but Pusey is probably sure to be gone at the end of the season. Wykes and Stanford are both locks/blindsides, though.

The Force tight 5 could be tight handy next year, if they manage to sign some of their targets.

Dunning, ??? (TPN?), Fairbrother, Sharpe, Caldwell. Not bad.