Western Force 2010

[louie]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

spook i thought it was just one.
said in the times last week

 

[Spook]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

spook i thought it was just one.
said in the times last week

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25435345-5015651,00.html

The arrival of Valentine means Friend will release two of the Brumbies' three halfbacks: Josh Holmes, Patrick Phibbs or James Stannard.

While Stannard is the third-string halfback, there is speculation Friend will cut Holmes and Phibbs, who have alternated as the starting number nine over the past two years. Valentine will be a valuable acquisition for the Brumbies, but it appears fullback Mark Gerrard has played his last game for the ACT.

Bloody hell, Andy Friend doesn't buy into reputation (see Holmes and Mortlock). We all know Phibbs is solid but not test class but Holmes has been talked up for years as a future Aussie 9 (Despite being fairly average to poor at S14 level thus far). Friend has had a good look at him this year and may have decided he isn't good enough.

Brumbies need another pacey winger/fullback.

 

[louie]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

dunno how much of that i believe. but if he does cut them both i wouldn't be suprised. phibbs is solid but at the end. and holmes hasn't had a good super game.
i like valentine coming. smart move. he's a good all rounsd halfback plus gits has already worked with him. smart brumbies.

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Holmes has been talked up for years as a future Aussie 9 (Despite being fairly average to poor at S14 level thus far).

Especially by yours truly after he left school. Then I noticed him in the old APC and I couldn't reconcile his dozy, looking around play with his lickety split school style, nor his play for the Rats.

Then he went to Eastwood and in one game against the Beasts Burgess made his actions look as though they were in slow motion.

Later that year he made a couple of storming runs for the Tahs backing up ball carriers. We were all pissed off when we heard the news that he was going to the Brumbies, but never asked why Link had a crocodile smile on his dial.

Holmes as a senior seems to be not much more than a ball runner without starting too many breaks himself.

Call me crazy, hoping he will come good, but he looked a bit more alert and dangerous against the Stormers and Bulls. I hope that he gets back to that form and keeps it.

 

[the gambler]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

I was one of the few that was pleased at the time with the Burgess for Holmes swap, well at least one of the few to voice that opinion.

Many people owe Link an apology for their criticism of that decision. Of course Holmes is still very young and has time to develop but the money saved in the last contract cycle of Holmes and Burgess must have been a fair bit (but not enough to buy another Leaguie unfortunately)

 

[Spook]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Holmes has gotten better this season. His service is far sharper. I still think the Brumbies should hang onto him.

 

[Aussie D]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Holmes has been talked up for years as a future Aussie 9 (Despite being fairly average to poor at S14 level thus far).

Especially by yours truly after he left school. Then I noticed him in the old APC and I couldn't reconcile his dozy, looking around play with his lickety split school style, nor his play for the Rats.
Then he went to Eastwood and in one game against the Beasts Burgess made his actions look as though they were in slow motion.

Later that year he made a couple of storming runs for the Tahs backing up ball carriers. We were all pissed off when we heard the news that he was going to the Brumbies, but never asked why Link had a crocodile smile on his dial.

Holmes as a senior seems to be not much more than a ball runner without starting too many breaks himself.

Call me crazy, hoping he will come good, but he looked a bit more alert and dangerous against the Stormers and Bulls. I hope that he gets back to that form and keeps it.

Didn't have an illness after he left school? A pretty serious one from memory, which may explain his 'dozy' play after leaving school and his poor play over the ensuing years. As Spook says his play is improving so maybe he is only now starting to get over it.

 

[steiner]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

I was one of the few that was pleased at the time with the Burgess for Holmes swap, well at least one of the few to voice that opinion.

Many people owe Link an apology for their criticism of that decision. Of course Holmes is still very young and has time to develop but the money saved in the last contract cycle of Holmes and Burgess must have been a fair bit (but not enough to buy another Leaguie unfortunately)

Yeh but he let Holmes go before he signed Burgess, then was fortunate enough to get Burgess, as far as I remember.

I haven't loss faith in Holmes personally. He's on the gradual improve. I think he'll wind up being an excellent test halfback

 

[Blue]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Any news on the Hougaard rumour? Opinions on his merits as the Force 10 next year?

 

[fatprop]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Interesting the rugby roundtable podcasters actually rate Fairbrother quite highly and unlucky to not get more gametime in NZ.

 

[Lee Grant]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Didn't have an illness after he left school? A pretty serious one from memory, which may explain his 'dozy' play after leaving school and his poor play over the ensuing years. As Spook says his play is improving so maybe he is only now starting to get over it.

Yes he had encephalitis IIRR, which is pretty serious, and he had to drop out of an U/19 tournament; but I haven't heard talk about it affecting his play.



Since this thread is about Force comings and goings I wonder why nobody has mentioned Brett Sheehan going to the Force for 2 years. The Tahs would prefer to keep Sheehan for depth as no team can afford to use an experienced player in a key position, but it's better that he goes elsewhere to get a starting role. He will get that it the state of his birth with Valentine following the roses.

Who knows, the Tahs may get Holmes back, but if they don't get him, or Phibbs, they have the excellent Jeremy Sua in the Waratahs stable.

 

[steiner]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

I thought Sheehan played fairly well against the Cheetahs. His pass has improved a lot giving some justification to his selection ahead of Burgess,( though probably not enough) and a reason as to why the Force have pursued him (other than having to take whoever they can get). Even though he doesn't have great instincts, a good pass and a combative nature alone will serve well enough for a half.

Would have been interesting to see how he went under more pressure against the Sharks, but Burgess has got the nod here, probably rightly so.

 

[farva]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Any news on the Hougaard rumour? Opinions on his merits as the Force 10 next year?

Haugaard is signed to the Tigers for 2 more years. It was never an option, and just pie in the sky speculation.

 

[PaarlBok]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Any news on the Hougaard rumour? Opinions on his merits as the Force 10 next year?

Haugaard is signed to the Tigers for 2 more years. It was never an option, and just pie in the sky speculation.

See the after Grant now, why dont they just take a Dollie?

 

[Grandmaster Flash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Good news for the Force with Brown re-signing for 2 years. - http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=811798

 

[RugbyReg]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Booooooooooo (hooooo)

 

[Ash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

I've updated the first post for Sheehan, Brown and Caldwell (reportedly staying with the Tahs)...

 

[Ash]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

Pelesasa confirmed off? First post updated for Pelesasa leaving, and for Barnes staying at the Reds.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25490443-5002381,00.html

But the worrying question now is this: If the Force could only manage a 50-50 record with Giteau calling the shots, how will it fare next season without him? And not just without him but also Valentine, Mitchell (Waratahs), Scott Staniforth, Tai McIsaac and Junior Pelesasa (Japan), Tamati Horua (Ireland) and Ben Castle (Wales)?

 

[Biffo]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

The rugby market, as all others, is dynamic and not static. That's dynamic in the physics sense - moving - rather than in the "praising" sense.

Looking at the S14 squads now and identifying who is on contract until when and off contract now can give very misleading conclusions. There are many other sources of players - primarily the grade competitions, but also RSA, NZ and Pacific Islands juniors. Don't be squeamish or principled, the game is professional.

I have no doubt that Australia's rugby managers, led by the estimable Mr O'Neill, will find plenty of quality players to staff the 15th team.

I say use the marquee player and future Wallaby clause fully and wisely and get on with raiding talent wherever it may be.

Queensland need have no fear of being raided - who would want most of the team that won three games this year and finished 13th, repeating the effort of being in the bottom two for the last five years?

 

[formeropenside]

Re: Comings and goings at the Force

The rugby market, as all others, is dynamic and not static. That's dynamic in the physics sense - moving - rather than in the "praising" sense.

Looking at the S14 squads now and identifying who is on contract until when and off contract now can give very misleading conclusions. There are many other sources of players - primarily the grade competitions, but also RSA, NZ and Pacific Islands juniors. Don't be squeamish or principled, the game is professional.

I have no doubt that Australia's rugby managers, led by the estimable Mr O'Neill, will find plenty of quality players to staff the 15th team.

I say use the marquee player and future Wallaby clause fully and wisely and get on with raiding talent wherever it may be.

Queensland need have no fear of being raided - who would want most of the team that won three games this year and finished 13th, repeating the effort of being in the bottom two for the last five years?

Yeah, you're right, who'd want MMM, Horwill, Higginbotham, Lucas, Genia, Barnes, Ioane, Hynes or McLinden?