Western Force 2010

[eddo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Hard bastard, hard, just like his brother; and like his brother, a natural 12.

Referring to Luke or Dane? or Both!

 

[Lindommer]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Wayne Smith in The Australian today:

WALLABIES prop Matt Dunning is understood to be close to agreeing to terms with the Western Force after the Waratahs rejected his request for a one-year contract with a one-year option.

Other players coming off contract have requested a similar arrangement to give themselves the option of joining the new Super 15 expansion club for its inaugural season in 2011, but Dunning also had a more personal reason -- to bring up his century of games for NSW without being locked into an extended period on the bench. "If anyone deserves to bring up his hundred, it is Matt Dunning," NSW chief executive Jim L'Estrange said yesterday. "He was injured (with a snapped achilles tendon) all of the 2009 season, stranded on 99. But he has to make the decision that is best for him. He desperately wants to get back into the gold jersey again and he knows he's still good enough to be playing for the Wallabies. So he has to go to where he thinks he can generate the game time to give him the best chance of getting back into the Australian side. We're hoping he decides his best chance is with the Waratahs. The reality is that we have a portfolio of quality props, Al Baxter, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu and Dan Palmer. I'm not saying any of them rank ahead of Matt, but they can't all run on at the same time. And Matt knows that."

L'Estrange said the Waratahs were not interested in signing Dunning just for the 2010 season. "Matt is a key player for us over the next two seasons. We have our succession planning to do and if he is going to be here, we want him for two years." Force officials were guardedly optimistic yesterday they could resolve the few remaining minor obstacles standing between them and Dunning's signature.

Indications are that if Dunning was to join the Force, he would leave his family behind in Sydney, at least initially, and so is hoping to delay the move to Perth for as long as possible. Given the majority of the Force players have been released to play in the Sydney premiership, Dunning should have no difficulty persuading the club to allow him to see out the season with Eastwood. After that, there is the issue of how often he will be able to visit his family in Sydney and have them visit him in Perth.

If Dunning does opt to join the Force, it could trigger a double blow to the Waratahs because it would provide third-choice NSW hooker Damien Fitzpatrick with a further incentive to go to WA, knowing he would be guaranteed quality front-row support. The Force already boasts one Wallabies squad front-rower in Pek Cowan and has just signed Tim Fairbrother from the Wellington Hurricanes, but the capture of Dunning might just be enough to tip Fitzpatrick's decision in Perth's favour. L'Estrange was unable to make Fitzpatrick, who is with the Australian under-20 side at the junior World Cup in Japan, any guarantees he would receive consistent game time if he remained with the Waratahs.

"We've got two hookers signed and at this stage he won't be ahead of Adam Freier or Tatafu Polota-Nau," L'Estrange said. "We're pushing hard to keep him because we believe it will be best for his long-term rugby development to stay with NSW. We're very hopeful." So too are the Western Force, but it seems both franchises will be kept waiting until Fitzpatrick returns from Japan.

Beating Fitzpatrick home from Japan will be Waratahs strike weapon Rob Horne who sustained a hamstring injury in Australia's opening-match 86-0 thrashing of Canada. Electrifying Sydney University speedster Clinton Sills has been named as Horne's replacement. Sills is regarded as one of the fastest rugby players in the country. The Australians go into Saturday's crucial clash with Wales not having conceded a try.

This is excellent news for Australian rugby. Now, can he grab Adam Freier and take him along for the ride. And possibly a five-eighth or two.

If (when) Tucky goes west the Tahs are left with Baxter, Robinson, Kepu and Palmer in the propping bin and TPN, Freier and Fitzpatrick for rakes. That's one too many hookers. The most experienced of the trio, Freier, should be aiming to play for a team where he wears number 2, not 16.

 

[Biffo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Agree with all of that ... but ... must have a little whinge at the same time . Bloody Force, Brumbies and Reds raiding our front row yet again. NSW goes on and on producing the nation's best front rowers and the others go on stealing them . Why can't the rest of you stop pinching ours and develop your own? :angryfire:

 

[Lindommer]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

As I've spouted loud and long here on TYS/G&GR, Sydney has about 65% of Australia's rugby players but the Tahs have only 25% of the professional contracts available. I'm not too upset about Tucky going west in the interests of all available props getting a starting gig, after all we do have Palmer and Kepu on the bench. At the moment Oz rugby needs some inside backs to jump on the plane with Tucky and a few back rowers to do a Clancy.

 

[Biffo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

I'm happy, too. Tuck's move should ensure that three of our S14 sides next year have very strong packs.

 

[PaarlBok]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Sport24

Pretorius to join the Force?

Sydney - Former Springbok flyhalf Andre Pretorius is considering an offer to play for the Force next season, the Australian provincial side said on Thursday.

The 31-Test Pretorius, who missed out on the South African squad for this month's series against the British and Irish Lions, was interested in the Force offer, officials said.

Force's general manager for rugby, Mitch Hardy, said the Perth-based outfit had made an offer to 30-year-old Pretorius after Stormers flyhalf Peter Grant had knocked back an approach.

"He's (Pretorius) interested," Hardy said. "(Coach) John Mitchell's had a chat to him and we've put an offer in front of him and we are just waiting for a decision.

"He has to weigh up where his rugby aspirations lie as to whether he still aspires to play for the Springboks and be involved in Currie Cup campaigns back in South Africa.

"We are hoping that the contract we put together will allow him to achieve both those options."

The Force are looking for an experienced playmaker following the loss of Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau to Australian rivals, the Brumbies.

The franchise is also waiting on a decision from Wallabies' prop Matt Dunning on whether he will join them next year from the Waratahs.

I wont be surprise if he took it. He and Loffie the x coach at the Lions had a good partnership going.

 

[farva]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

With AJ Whalley heading to Dax, another prop would be nice, so Fairbrother, Dunning and Cowen at the Force.

There is an article in the West Australian today where Mitch Hardy is talking about Dunning and Cowen as the props and Fairbrother as the hooker. Anyone know if Fairbrother can play there?

 

[Biffo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

With AJ Whalley heading to Dax, another prop would be nice, so Fairbrother, Dunning and Cowen at the Force.

There is an article in the West Australian today where Mitch Hardy is talking about Dunning and Cowen as the props and Fairbrother as the hooker. Anyone know if Fairbrother can play there?

Got a link for us?

 

[Lindommer]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

There is an article in the West Australian today where Mitch Hardy is talking about Dunning and Cowen as the props and Fairbrother as the hooker. Anyone know if Fairbrother can play there?

Got a link for us?

Have a squiz at this one: http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=13&ContentID=147252

Those asides in parentheses may be a bit of journalistic licence from a sandgroper editor who's not conversant with the subtleties of rugby front rows; it's not completely clear they're Hardy's words.

 

[Langthorne]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Pretorius would be a good buy for the Force, but I think he'd suit the Tahs game better (and he'd sort out the kicking issues there too).

Though who knows what style the Force will be playing anyway?

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Referring to Luke or Dane? or Both!

Luke - Dane is not the same quality as the other two IMO.


Pretorius? Peetoors was a good player but has seen his best days - and I don't think he could sort out the Tahs goal kicking problem either. I've seen him have some shockers.

But if the Force forwards can give him some good front foot ball he will release the backs, don't you worry. He's a leader, and I remember his playing in Perth a couple of years ago against the Force and he was the difference in the result.

In the perfect world I'd like to see To'omua being released to go to Perth - or Lealiifano - but it is not a perfect world.


Dunning?

I hope that Tuckie goes to Perth and is happy over there and injury free.


Fitzpatrick?

As I wrote on the U/20 thread: he could see both Freier and TPN in front of him at the Tahs and think that he has a better chance of starting in the S14 and playing regularly in the comp for the Force rather than for the Tahs.

I picked the U/20 captain to be a Wallaby one day when he was 17, and though he hasn't shown a lot in his S14 stints to date, starting a few games in the S14 in 2010 and more thereafter, is more likely to happen for him in Perth than in Sydney, even if the Force get an experienced player, like Titterall, as first string.

 

[Pfitzy]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Rumour from the Renegades' Sportsmans Lunch last week: Dunning is reluctant to leave the Tahs because he's on 99 caps for the state, including 90 S12/14 games. And he's passing up an extra $100K to do so.

Sounds like a stupid reason to me.

 

[PaarlBok]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Pretorius? Peetoors was a good player but has seen his best days - and I don't think he could sort out the Tahs goal kicking problem either. I've seen him have some shockers.

But if the Force forwards can give him some good front foot ball he will release the backs, don't you worry. He's a leader, and I remember his playing in Perth a couple of years ago against the Force and he was the difference in the result.

Well I have always rate Petoors , maybe a wise move for him, to link up with Michell. Maybe they'll end up back at the Lions.

 

[the gambler]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Rumour from the Renegades' Sportsmans Lunch last week: Dunning is reluctant to leave the Tahs because he's on 99 caps for the state, including 90 S12/14 games. And he's passing up an extra $100K to do so.

Sounds like a stupid reason to me.

But very admirable. Plenty on this board are quick to criticise players who take the money and run or who dont show the ticker we expect of players representing their country or state (or franchise).

 

[eddo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Rumour from the Renegades' Sportsmans Lunch last week: Dunning is reluctant to leave the Tahs because he's on 99 caps for the state, including 90 S12/14 games. And he's passing up an extra $100K to do so.

Sounds like a stupid reason to me.

But very admirable. Plenty on this board are quick to criticise players who take the money and run or who dont show the ticker we expect of players representing their country or state (or franchise).

Wouldn't that be another shocker if dunning stayed to get he 100th,.. but no-one got injured for the first time in 14 yrs, and he never got to the bench.

Bound to happen now that I've said it.

 

[Lindommer]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

In The Sun-Herald today

Dunning's departure from NSW replenishes Force's depleted stocks

WALLABIES and Waratahs prop Matt Dunning has quit the NSW Super 14 franchise and will announce his signing with the Western Force tomorrow.

Dunning sat stranded on 99 Super 14 matches this season after suffering an Achilles injury on the end-of-year Wallabies tour last year and his future has been clouded for some months. But Waratahs insiders have confirmed he will leave the club after failing to negotiate a one-year extension to his current deal. With two world-class loosehead props and a fine tighthead already contracted to the Waratahs, Dunning was believed to be seeking just a 12-month deal in the hope of linking with likely Super 15 franchise Melbourne in 2011. Instead, he's believed to have accepted a two-year deal with Force after an unsatisfactory offer from NSW.

Since recovering from the season-ending injury, Dunning has dropped 7kg and come through three Premier Rugby matches with Eastwood unscathed. He was one of the side's best with an 80-minute performance in yesterday's match. His signing is a massive coup for the West Australian franchise, which has lost a host of stars including Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor. Former Wallabies coach John Connolly said Dunning was still a world-class prop and his signing was great news for the club. "He's been a great servant to NSW and Australia, and he'll be a great asset for the Force," Connolly told The Sun-Herald.
"I have no doubt once he gets back to full fitness he'll return to international duties, there just aren't many players who can offer what he can at international level. He can play at both tighthead and loosehead, and that make him a pretty rare commodity. I think he's a big loss for NSW and a great gain for the Force."

The news came on the day of Dunning's impressive effort in a losing Eastwood side in the Shute Shield clash with Sydney University. Waratahs five-eighth Daniel Halangahu inspired Uni to a thrilling 29-17 win as Wallabies Phil Waugh and Dunning pressed their claims for a representative return. The 2008 grand final hero Halangahu got the Students off to a flying start in the fifth minute with a sideline penalty conversion and from there it was all Uni against a competitive Woodies outfit. Despite the presence and impressive scrummaging of Dunning at loosehead, a brave Eastwood was unable to match it in the end with Uni's star-studded line-up, which also featured a livewire Tom Carter.

The Waratahs connection of Halangahu and Carter threatened from the opening whistle, clean cut-out balls for the No.12 causing constant headaches for Eastwood down the left of their defence. It also happened to be the same side Waugh was stationed on, so it was no wonder that was where Uni scored their first try. It was the Halangahu-Carter duo that started the charge, with No.4 Hugh Hawkins crossing the stripe to give University a 10-nil lead at the 17th minute. Waugh was never far from the action, continually threatening the left edge defence and only superb defence from the Wallabies squad member stopping a deadly Mark Frost from crossing for more than one try. The diminutive Frost was Eastwood's best, breaking the line at will, scoring his side's only points of the first half for a 16-7 halftime deficit.

Uni didn't have it all their own way in the second stanza. Just 11 minutes in, some James Foote brilliance got the home side within two points. The teams then traded penalty goals but it was Uni who finished stronger, with a try to replacement winger Nick Edwards in the corner and then Halangahu converting his seventh goal from as many attempts with five minutes left after another Eastwood penalty for the 29-17 result.

A very sensible move, Tucky.

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Daruda is off to France - Agen.

 

[disco]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Daruda is off to France - Agen.

Reds should have tried to get him on board.

 

[farva]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Force currently have no fly halves on their books with any S14 experience (given that JOC (James O'Connor) wants to play 12). Really need Pretorius to sign... ???

 

[Biffo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Force currently have no fly halves on their books with any S14 experience (given that JOC (James O'Connor) wants to play 12). Really need Pretorius and Laeliifano to sign.