Western Force 2010
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Re: Comings and goings at the Force
The Force have signed another teenage superstar (potentially) back from under the nose of the Reds - Stefano Hunt.
In all reality, the Reds can't sign every schoolboy star we've produced in the last three years. However it would be nice to think that our home grown stars may get priority over the likes of the Faingaas.
The Force have signed another teenage superstar (potentially) back from under the nose of the Reds - Stefano Hunt.
In all reality, the Reds can't sign every schoolboy star we've produced in the last three years. However it would be nice to think that our home grown stars may get priority over the likes of the Faingaas.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
He's an inside centre who can play in other spots and is a pretty good player. He came to the Oz Schools tournament last year with a good reputation, since he was picked in the national U16 Merit Team the year before.
He didn't quite live up to that reputation in the tournament, which is neither here or there, and others were preferred to him for the Oz Schools 1st XV, which is neither here nor there either. Whilst the Reds won't be slashing their wrists they will be a bit miffed that a member of their academy is heading west.
The Force will be hoping that he shows the promise of Bronco cousin Karmichael or old Nudgee team mate Rabbit O'Connor.
Let's all wish him well.
He's an inside centre who can play in other spots and is a pretty good player. He came to the Oz Schools tournament last year with a good reputation, since he was picked in the national U16 Merit Team the year before.
He didn't quite live up to that reputation in the tournament, which is neither here or there, and others were preferred to him for the Oz Schools 1st XV, which is neither here nor there either. Whilst the Reds won't be slashing their wrists they will be a bit miffed that a member of their academy is heading west.
The Force will be hoping that he shows the promise of Bronco cousin Karmichael or old Nudgee team mate Rabbit O'Connor.
Let's all wish him well.
F
formeropenside
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Re: Comings and goings at the Force
I'm shocked - shocked, I tell you - that with the CHS side making the schoolboy finals, and 11 of them being WA boys, that none of them got a look in for a rookie contract with the Force.
I'm shocked - shocked, I tell you - that with the CHS side making the schoolboy finals, and 11 of them being WA boys, that none of them got a look in for a rookie contract with the Force.
F
formeropenside
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Re: Comings and goings at the Force
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/...r-in-the-making/2009/07/25/1248457701999.html
Hopefully he stays with the Force, its a bit rich the Tahs and Brumbies trying to poach him, although that may be a bit of manager beat up.
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/...r-in-the-making/2009/07/25/1248457701999.html
Hopefully he stays with the Force, its a bit rich the Tahs and Brumbies trying to poach him, although that may be a bit of manager beat up.
F
formeropenside
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Re: Comings and goings at the Force
Its quite consistent with my preferred view of each State developing their own talent, is all.
Scotty said:
Its quite consistent with my preferred view of each State developing their own talent, is all.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
It's a bit soon to be thinking of those CS lads for a rookie contract. They did well, but as I wrote in the Schools forum: their success was due more to top teamwork than individual brilliance. It was the same last year: they beat NSW I then also, though NSW I made the final based of for and against points.
You see this all the time in Schools tournaments. Three years ago Qld II beat NSW II in the final and both teams made it there through superior team play including having a good attitude and working hard. Of those 45 boys there were a few who returned to school the following year and we know their names now in senior rugby, but we won't hear a lot about the other 40 or so.
Stephano Hunt was from the 2008 crop and has been in the QAS in 2009 and no doubt has probably already played grade rugby. Was he given a rookie contract - or is he going to be a paid Academy player for them?
As I have mentioned before: the best player from WA in the recent Schools tournament was 10 Kyle Godwin. He will be given a Force Academy spot as sure as God made little apples.
PS fos
I know that you had your tongue firmly in your cheek, but if you are looking for a conspiracy story more to the point is: why was only 1 boy from WA chosen in the group of 46 boys who made the two Oz School squads of 23? [Compared to 4 from Victoria - yet 11 of the 23 CS lads were from WA, as you said?]
formeropenside said:
It's a bit soon to be thinking of those CS lads for a rookie contract. They did well, but as I wrote in the Schools forum: their success was due more to top teamwork than individual brilliance. It was the same last year: they beat NSW I then also, though NSW I made the final based of for and against points.
You see this all the time in Schools tournaments. Three years ago Qld II beat NSW II in the final and both teams made it there through superior team play including having a good attitude and working hard. Of those 45 boys there were a few who returned to school the following year and we know their names now in senior rugby, but we won't hear a lot about the other 40 or so.
Stephano Hunt was from the 2008 crop and has been in the QAS in 2009 and no doubt has probably already played grade rugby. Was he given a rookie contract - or is he going to be a paid Academy player for them?
As I have mentioned before: the best player from WA in the recent Schools tournament was 10 Kyle Godwin. He will be given a Force Academy spot as sure as God made little apples.
PS fos
I know that you had your tongue firmly in your cheek, but if you are looking for a conspiracy story more to the point is: why was only 1 boy from WA chosen in the group of 46 boys who made the two Oz School squads of 23? [Compared to 4 from Victoria - yet 11 of the 23 CS lads were from WA, as you said?]
H
hatchie
Guest
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
As far as I make it, all we need is a hooker. Potential 22:
Cowan - ? - Fairbrother
Sharpe - Hockings
Hodgson - Brown - Pocock
Sheehan - Pretorius
O'Connor - Cross
Cummins - Shepherd - Bartholomeusz
reserves:
Dunning, Whitaker, Wykes, Stanford, O'Young, Harris, Sare
As far as I make it, all we need is a hooker. Potential 22:
Cowan - ? - Fairbrother
Sharpe - Hockings
Hodgson - Brown - Pocock
Sheehan - Pretorius
O'Connor - Cross
Cummins - Shepherd - Bartholomeusz
reserves:
Dunning, Whitaker, Wykes, Stanford, O'Young, Harris, Sare
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
I think Dunning was playing hooker in his club game last weekend. Not sure though. But I would like to see a half decent hooker signed. Whittaker is a good long term prospect but is not there yet. Is Luke Holmes still around? He isnt a starting S14 player either.
But I am very happy with the way the team has shaped up after the exodus at the end of this season. Its a very strong pack, and some good backs outside of it too.
I think Dunning was playing hooker in his club game last weekend. Not sure though. But I would like to see a half decent hooker signed. Whittaker is a good long term prospect but is not there yet. Is Luke Holmes still around? He isnt a starting S14 player either.
But I am very happy with the way the team has shaped up after the exodus at the end of this season. Its a very strong pack, and some good backs outside of it too.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
Dunning looked pretty fit at the ground last Saturday and as good as has looked in club rugby in recent years - not that he has played a huge amount of club matches in that time, nor that club rugby is an accurate measure of S14 form for 2010. Still, it's better than reporting the opposite.
In answer to my own question as to whether Stephano Hunt has been offered a rookie contract or a paid Academy spot - it's a rookie contract.
It was a clever move. Lock Ben Hand was missing with the Brumbies in France; so they moved 8 McCaffrey into the 2nd row. They had to make room for Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson who were available for the front row; so Dunning went to hooker and hooker Fitzpatrick went to the side of the scrum.
Since Hand is still absent McCaffrey is playing in the 2nd row again today and Fitzy plays again as a flanker. This allows Force reserve hooker, and WA local, Keiran Longbottom, to start in 1st grade.
Dunning looked pretty fit at the ground last Saturday and as good as has looked in club rugby in recent years - not that he has played a huge amount of club matches in that time, nor that club rugby is an accurate measure of S14 form for 2010. Still, it's better than reporting the opposite.
In answer to my own question as to whether Stephano Hunt has been offered a rookie contract or a paid Academy spot - it's a rookie contract.
fatprop said:
It was a clever move. Lock Ben Hand was missing with the Brumbies in France; so they moved 8 McCaffrey into the 2nd row. They had to make room for Ben Alexander and Benn Robinson who were available for the front row; so Dunning went to hooker and hooker Fitzpatrick went to the side of the scrum.
Since Hand is still absent McCaffrey is playing in the 2nd row again today and Fitzy plays again as a flanker. This allows Force reserve hooker, and WA local, Keiran Longbottom, to start in 1st grade.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Re: Comings and goings at the Force
I see that the Force have signed up NSW Schools star Luke Jones. He and fullback Woodhouse were the best players for NSW Schools at the recent tournament. Jones from St Pius X in the IAS group of schools is a Rocky Elsom type at the schools level and can play 6, 8 or lock. He was in the Oz A Schools team last year and is in the top team this year.
He has Super14 written all over him if he becomes a big enough man and I think he will be. But he may not have enough tall timber in him to be a specialist 2nd rower; so I would peg him to be a senior 6.
I see that the Force have signed up NSW Schools star Luke Jones. He and fullback Woodhouse were the best players for NSW Schools at the recent tournament. Jones from St Pius X in the IAS group of schools is a Rocky Elsom type at the schools level and can play 6, 8 or lock. He was in the Oz A Schools team last year and is in the top team this year.
He has Super14 written all over him if he becomes a big enough man and I think he will be. But he may not have enough tall timber in him to be a specialist 2nd rower; so I would peg him to be a senior 6.
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