Western Force 2011

[Doc]

So the word is that Nick Stiles will be the new forwards coach at the Force.

He's been in Japan for the last few years.

I have no further comment.

Been tipped for a while. Is anything official been released?

Would have some history with Graham and his coaching CV is pretty extensive.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

If you consider JOC (James O'Connor) on the wing for the force in my opinion that is really stupid and a waste. He was their best and most creative back last year he should be the starting 12 and backup ten if Willie ripia gets injured.

Ok, he should be first choice 12, I only put him on the wing because i think Fairbanks deserves to be fitted in somewhere. Can Fairbanks play 13 well? If so i'd be glad to put him there and move Inman to the bench.

 

[dbla]

Can Fairbanks play 13 well? If so i'd be glad to put him there and move Inman to the bench.

That seems a bit drastic to me. Inman was really good this year in getting the ball over the gain line through contact which not many backs in the force did that well. I didn't see his club form but I would think Inman has the 13 jersey pretty much nailed down after his super rugby season.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

That seems a bit drastic to me. Inman was really good this year in getting the ball over the gain line through contact which not many backs in the force did that well. I didn't see his club form but I would think Inman has the 13 jersey pretty much nailed down after his super rugby season.

Fairbanks' club form was not good. I would now rate him behind Sidey and Dellit and would hope that these 2 will get bench spots before Fairbanks.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Inman is the clear choice for me at 13, he's earned it through solid performances and good improvements over the season. JOC (James O'Connor) should play 12, but I'm inclined to leave him at wing while he is playing there for the Wobs. Fairbanks is a decent player, but didn't have the greatest season with Randwick this year.

 

[dobduff11]

Brown Hornet tbh i dont care if the wallabies want to play JOC (James O'Connor) at wing. The force need him at 12 and that is where he plays best so put him there.

Also inman should be the clear favourite at 13 due to his form last year

 

[RugbyReg]

Inman should be in the Wallaby squad at the moment as our back up 13.

 

[en_force_er]

Inman is exactly the kind of 13 that will look as good as his 10/12 let him, which if you have a good 10/12 is a terrific thing.

He runs good hard straight lines and defends well. Best of all, he is built like a test 13.

Look for him to be blooded post WC.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

Fair enough. My memories of Fairbanks are vague, i just remember him being a Brumbies regular in their star studded backline. So if Inman is better, sure, put JOC (James O'Connor) at 12 and Fairbanks on the bench.

 

[disco]

I like Fairbanks he's alway been good at super 14 level & I think he'd be good with Inman in the centres. As for JOC (James O'Connor) I think he'll play 15 for the Force next season with Cummins & Shepherd on the wings.

My western Force 1st 22 would be.
1. Fairbrother
2. Charles
3. Cowan
4. Hockings
5. Sharpe
6. Hodgson
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Stannard
10. Ripia
11. Shepherd
12. Fairbanks
13. Inman
14. Cummins
15. JOC (James O'Connor)
16.Whitaker 17. Dunning 18.Wykes 19.Brown 20.Turner/Sheehan 21.Sidey 22.Smith

Could tweak this side but a few positions will still come down to pre-season form but they have a brilliant backrow two very good locks & front row that has potential.

A very dangerous back 3, a strong centre pairing & an unknown halves pairing but I feel that Stannard may be in for a big season if next years super rugby is played anything like this years.

 

[darkhorse]

My western Force 1st 22 would be.
1. Fairbrother
2. Charles
3. Cowan
4. Hockings
5. Sharpe
6. Hodgson
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Stannard
10. Ripia
11. Shepherd
12. Fairbanks
13. Inman
14. Cummins
15. JOC (James O'Connor)
16.Whitaker 17. Dunning 18.Wykes 19.Brown 20.Turner/Sheehan 21.Sidey 22.Smith

Could tweak this side but a few positions will still come down to pre-season form but they have a brilliant backrow two very good locks & front row that has potential.

I like it alot. I'm certainly picking at straws, but I'd switch JOC (James O'Connor) and fairbanks. The more O'Connor gets his hands on the ball the better.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

I like Fairbanks he's alway been good at super 14 level & I think he'd be good with Inman in the centres. As for JOC (James O'Connor) I think he'll play 15 for the Force next season with Cummins & Shepherd on the wings.

My western Force 1st 22 would be.
1. Fairbrother
2. Charles
3. Cowan
4. Hockings
5. Sharpe
6. Hodgson
7. Pocock
8. McCalman
9. Stannard
10. Ripia
11. Shepherd
12. Fairbanks
13. Inman
14. Cummins
15. JOC (James O'Connor)
16.Whitaker 17. Dunning 18.Wykes 19.Brown 20.Turner/Sheehan 21.Sidey 22.Smith

Could tweak this side but a few positions will still come down to pre-season form but they have a brilliant backrow two very good locks & front row that has potential.

A very dangerous back 3, a strong centre pairing & an unknown halves pairing but I feel that Stannard may be in for a big season if next years super rugby is played anything like this years.

This- but swap Smith for Cummins

 

[Lindommer]

Wherever the Farce play JOC (James O'Connor) they should definitely play Shepherd at 15. Considering their lack of depth I reckon Rabbit would go best at 12 in that team.

 

[Hawko]

Inman is the clear choice for me at 13, he's earned it through solid performances and good improvements over the season. JOC (James O'Connor) should play 12, but I'm inclined to leave him at wing while he is playing there for the Wobs. Fairbanks is a decent player, but didn't have the greatest season with Randwick this year.

BH. You are a master of understatement.

 

[en_force_er]

BH. You are a master of understatement.

By the same token, he'd been out of a proper professional environment for a while.

We could see him pick his act up at the Force with a nice long preseason.

 

[farva]

Is there any word as to whether Smith has actually signed?
Last word was that he was thinking about it but there was nothing concrete

 

[Boomer]

Farvs,

From The West today, Force have new plans for recruit

Meanwhile the Force are still waiting to finalise a deal with former Hurricanes winger David Smith to replace Scott Staniforth who was forced to retire after a third serious neck injury.

Smith, who has represented New Zealand at the IRB Sevens, would initially be a one-year signing as the club's overseas marquee player.

Same article has Graham saying he'd like to see Mafi come in off the wing.

 

[RugbyReg]

Alfi passes the Caleb Brown test

A searching week of physical testing has had the desired result for versatile back Alfie Mafi who has been confirmed as the Emirates Western Force’s latest recruit.

Mafi, who had previous stints with the Waratahs and Brumbies, has battled bad luck on the injury front in his four seasons of Super Rugby but completed everything asked of him by the Emirates Western Force medical and conditioning teams and has been rewarded with a place in the 2011 squad.

“What we see in Alfie is a player with enormous potential and someone with the desire and focus to realise that talent,” Emirates Western Force Head Coach Richard Graham said.

“Alfie has worked hard over the last few weeks and arrived for the start of our ‘official’ pre-season training in wonderful condition. He gave himself every opportunity to get through the testing and it’s that level of commitment that is needed to succeed at the top level.

“We’re excited to have him as part of the programme, I think he is a really good kid and has a lot of upside for us.”

Mafi was picked up by the Waratahs for the 2007 season but found opportunities limited with Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri ahead in the pecking order. He did however claim representative honours later that year with the Australia Sevens before breaking through the following season to play nine matches with the Tahs.

Mafi then headed to the nation’s capital, and while injury limited his involvement on a consistent basis, he added another six games in two seasons, including a maiden try against the Cheetahs in round nine this year.

An invitation to head to WA and work under the new coaching structure at the Emirates Western Force was an opportunity the 22 year was keen to explore and is determined to make the move west a winner.

“It’s something I think I needed to do, it’s a challenge I was really keen to take on and to make the most of. I’ve always enjoyed the way the rugby has been played at the Emirates Western Force and I’m really looking forward to the season,” Mafi said.

“I’ve had a few injuries that have set me back, including two broken ankles and fractured fibula, and after that you tend to be playing catch-up footy. Having a good pre-season is top of my list and then hopefully press for game time when the season comes around.”

While Mafi has occupied a wing for the majority of his Super Rugby career he has the versatility, and experience garnered during his formative years, to add more strings to his bow, with Force coaching staff eyeing a move to the centres on the back of the youngsters’ capacity to break opposition lines.

“He is a lively type and has an ability to beat defenders just through his sheer dynamism and strength. He is rarely tackled by the first defender and will add depth to our backs,” Graham said.

“He knows he still has a number of aspects to work on and we’ll work closely with Alfie to help him round out his game and achieve his potential.”

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

BH. You are a master of understatement.

I'll take that as a complement

 

[RugbyReg]

confirmed now. Didn't realise he was such a short arse:

The Emirates Western Force has added the try scoring skill and attacking prowess of Hurricanes ace David Smith to their squad for next season.

A player with genuine ‘X-Factor’, Smith scored seven tries last season in just four starts and at 24 years of age has his best rugby ahead of him. His Super Rugby performances in 2010 were acknowledged with selection in the Barbarians side that tackled Ireland and England in the UK, scoring a try against the English at Twickenham.

“It will be a big change for me but when I told my family that I was going to Perth they were very supportive, especially when I told them how excited I was to get a fresh start and join a new team in a new environment,” Smith said from New Zealand.

“I’ve played in Perth three times before but never lived there. I’ve had heaps of people telling me that Perth is a really good city and the Force will do well this year. I think they have some good players and coaches at the club.”

Smith will arrive in Perth in late November after recently finishing his commitments with Taranaki in New Zealand’s ITM Cup where he played alongside new Emirates Western Force playmaker Willie Ripia, also a team mate at the Hurricanes.

“It’s nice to come over and have at least a few boys that I already know,” Smith said of the chance to link up again with Ripia and also prop Tim Fairbrother who played in Wellington before heading west.

“I’m also looking forward to playing alongside some the boys I’ve only ever had the chance to play against. Guys like James O’Connor, I played against him and I’ve also watched him play in other games and just think he is such a good athletic young kid coming through.”

Smith will form part of a formidable outside back combination which Emirates Western Force Head Coach Richard Graham will able to call on. The Samoan born flyer joining the likes of O’Connor, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Nick Cummins and Cameron Shepherd to name a few.

“David is a player that has the capability to be a genuine star in the modern day game and his attacking capabilities will be hugely beneficial for us,” Graham said.

“He has a very good work ethic and is a committed team man. No doubt his speed and genuine ability to beat people will have our sea of blue on the edge of their seats and wanting to see more.

“Following a very good season in Super Rugby he backed it up with his performances in the ITM Cup with Taranaki and will add to what is already a very strong outside back group assembled in Perth.”

As an opposition player Smith was a thorn in the side of the Emirates Western Force on more than a few occasions. He scored a late try for the Hurricanes in a one point come from behind win at Subiaco Oval in 2009 and was again the danger man last season, scoring two tries when the sides clashed in Wellington.

Smith’s ability to inflict pain on the scoreboard is something Emirates Western Force coaching staff will no doubt be happy to have working in their favour next season, while his arrival also covers the loss of recently retired veteran Scott Staniforth.

“We’ve been able to react quickly to Scott’s retirement and believe that we have found a replacement that possesses similar attributes in terms of his tenacity and determination to get to the try line,” Graham said.

Having already represented the New Zealand Sevens side Smith will be the Emirates Western Force marquee player in 2011 and said his move west was motivated by team success rather than individual accolades.

“I think of myself as a team man and always put the team first. I’m looking forward to working with all the boys in Perth to become a unit that loves to run with the ball and have many areas from where we can score,” Smith said.

“It’s all about us being in front on the scoreboard at the end of the game and I think with the players we have we will be able to do that more often next season.”

Player Profile
Nameavid Smith
Date of Birth: 12/10/1986 (Samoa)
Position: Wing
Height: 172cm
Weight: 90kg
Provincial teams: Auckland, Wellington, Taranaki
Super Rugby Points: 70 (14 tries)
Super Rugby Caps: 41 (Hurricanes 34, Blues 7)
Honours: New Zealand Sevens