Western Force 2011
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Shiggins
Simon Poidevin (60)
Do I sense some love for shep. Nice one. Let's just wait and see what a judge says. The way licensing is in perth he may not of even known he had a suspended license lol.
Anyone want to have a go at naming what our first 15 against the reds will be?
Go the force!!!!
Anyone want to have a go at naming what our first 15 against the reds will be?
Go the force!!!!
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
Yeah I've had mates in this situation. The time in between knowing you've probably got your license suspended and recieveing written confirmation can be weeks.
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
Assuming Shep is fit, not suspended and free to play:
Cowen
Charles
Fairbrother
Hocking
Sharpe
Hodgson
Pocock
McCalman
Sheehan / Stannard
Ripia
Cummins
OConnor
Inman
Smith
Shepherd
Whittaker
Dunning
Wykes
Brown
Stannard/Sheehan
Fairbanks
Mafi/Sidey
And then I would like to see an article on G&GR about how we rolled those c**ts in red!
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
Definitely love (in a totally manly way of course) for Shep from me. I think he's a terrific player, but I reckon he's done the wrong thing here.
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Love the Force's backrow - I'd rate it second in the comp, only behind the Crusaders.
Second row is solid, with Sharpe, Hockings, Wykes, Battye. Front row is workable, but would like Cowan is have improved his scrummaging a little more. At hooker they have a similar problem to the Reds - some young and talented players, but not consistently proven.
Outside of the pack, I start to get worried by that team. Outside of J'OC, the backline is a little pedestrian. I like to watch Smith and think that he is a big threat, when he's not dropping the ball cold. Shepherd is a shadow of the player he was before his awful run of injuries - would love to see him get back to his best, but I sadly suspect it's a bit beyond him. Inman looks like a Cross clone from a few years ago, but runs a little straighter. Impressed last year, but wasn't expecting much of him either.
That backrow will win them a few games, but I worry about their ability to score lots of points through their backs. Also a bit concerned that the Force have only 1 trial?
Bartholomeusz not considered for a bench spot? You could see Shepherd start the season on the wing, with the reliable Bartho at fullback until Shepherd proves his knee is capable of playing fullback.
Second row is solid, with Sharpe, Hockings, Wykes, Battye. Front row is workable, but would like Cowan is have improved his scrummaging a little more. At hooker they have a similar problem to the Reds - some young and talented players, but not consistently proven.
Outside of the pack, I start to get worried by that team. Outside of J'OC, the backline is a little pedestrian. I like to watch Smith and think that he is a big threat, when he's not dropping the ball cold. Shepherd is a shadow of the player he was before his awful run of injuries - would love to see him get back to his best, but I sadly suspect it's a bit beyond him. Inman looks like a Cross clone from a few years ago, but runs a little straighter. Impressed last year, but wasn't expecting much of him either.
That backrow will win them a few games, but I worry about their ability to score lots of points through their backs. Also a bit concerned that the Force have only 1 trial?
Bartholomeusz not considered for a bench spot? You could see Shepherd start the season on the wing, with the reliable Bartho at fullback until Shepherd proves his knee is capable of playing fullback.
The_Brown_Hornet
John Eales (66)
The backs worry me too Ash. I don't think there is enough creativity and pace in them, particularly with the doubt over Shep. I'm looking forward to seeing some further development in blokes like Inman though.
I think the pack looks very decent, however and the back row is absolutely first class.
I think the pack looks very decent, however and the back row is absolutely first class.
Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Generally agree, but I've been watching Cowan since he was at school and have been wishing the Rat well but despite being with the Wallabies in the past he does not excite me as a LHP, even at the Super level.
Agree with Charles as the starting hooker and will be watching him with interest this year. He showed some promising stuff when he was acquired from the Brumbies but it will be good to see him start after a full pre-season. I see him and Kirkpatrick in the future contending for the 3rd Oz hooker spot with S. Finger - and when there is an injury to one of the top two that becomes a contest for the 2nd spot.
The Force suffer from the lack of a TH lock, or hardnosed lock, or whatever you want to call him. Sharpie is brilliant as the lineout organiser and a participant in it, as we all know. Round the park he does his thing running one out from the ruck brilliantly but he is not a Bakkies or a Brad in other matters - or anything close to it. He switched to the TH side in the Force scrums last year but his assistance to the THP was not high class.
I rate Wykes as a skills player who would probably be more suited to playing 6 or 6/reserve lock in another team. Battye is a development player who hasn't taken my attention yet in the few games I have seen him play and I don't rate Hockings now, though at one stage I thought I might.
For about the 3rd year in a row we can agree that the backrow is a class unit at the Super level and with McCalman added to it now, it is even better.
Agree that the backs do not excite a lot of praise. One mentioned they would miss Giteau last year and though the injuries in 2010 clouded they issue I think they will miss somebody like him in 2011. Let's see Ripia in action before I sign off on that opinion though.
I don't think of Shepherd any more as a factor because of his injury record so I am not expecting to be excited by backs other than JOC (James O'Connor) and Smith unless 13 Mitch Inman steps up. If the new Wallaby backline paradigm of running straight at all costs, once the ball leaves the hands of the 10, spreads to the Super teams, and I hope it does, Inman could be a key implementer of it. Let's watch him in this regard.
Agree with Charles as the starting hooker and will be watching him with interest this year. He showed some promising stuff when he was acquired from the Brumbies but it will be good to see him start after a full pre-season. I see him and Kirkpatrick in the future contending for the 3rd Oz hooker spot with S. Finger - and when there is an injury to one of the top two that becomes a contest for the 2nd spot.
The Force suffer from the lack of a TH lock, or hardnosed lock, or whatever you want to call him. Sharpie is brilliant as the lineout organiser and a participant in it, as we all know. Round the park he does his thing running one out from the ruck brilliantly but he is not a Bakkies or a Brad in other matters - or anything close to it. He switched to the TH side in the Force scrums last year but his assistance to the THP was not high class.
I rate Wykes as a skills player who would probably be more suited to playing 6 or 6/reserve lock in another team. Battye is a development player who hasn't taken my attention yet in the few games I have seen him play and I don't rate Hockings now, though at one stage I thought I might.
For about the 3rd year in a row we can agree that the backrow is a class unit at the Super level and with McCalman added to it now, it is even better.
Agree that the backs do not excite a lot of praise. One mentioned they would miss Giteau last year and though the injuries in 2010 clouded they issue I think they will miss somebody like him in 2011. Let's see Ripia in action before I sign off on that opinion though.
I don't think of Shepherd any more as a factor because of his injury record so I am not expecting to be excited by backs other than JOC (James O'Connor) and Smith unless 13 Mitch Inman steps up. If the new Wallaby backline paradigm of running straight at all costs, once the ball leaves the hands of the 10, spreads to the Super teams, and I hope it does, Inman could be a key implementer of it. Let's watch him in this regard.
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
At this stage I see Battye as the big kid that everyone hopes will become good if he is nurtured, and sometimes they do.
Everyone that's coached at any kind of junior level has experienced coaching someone who is built genetically for rugby but isn't quite there is terms of skills, aggression or a make-up of the two. So you coach them extra hard and hope that one day they'll just get it but sometimes they never do. Battye is obviously older but in my opinion being treated similar to this.
Let's hope for the sake of Aus rugby he gets there, no harm in having big locks around.
Everyone that's coached at any kind of junior level has experienced coaching someone who is built genetically for rugby but isn't quite there is terms of skills, aggression or a make-up of the two. So you coach them extra hard and hope that one day they'll just get it but sometimes they never do. Battye is obviously older but in my opinion being treated similar to this.
Let's hope for the sake of Aus rugby he gets there, no harm in having big locks around.
Shiggins
Simon Poidevin (60)
I think that's spot on farva. I would think sheehan will start and mafi will make the bench. I also think we will see that team change with standard possibly taking over the starting role and I believe everyone on that bench has a chance on starting eventually. Either way it's a pretty good bench. The team looks good enough for a mid table finish and depending on development and the wallaby form in the team a finals birth is very possible.
Go the force!!!!
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
I predict that by the end of the super rugby season, Cummins will be the form winger in Australia. Inman we shall be saying is better than Mortlock. Ripia will be challenging Carter for the starting 10 jersey, after the ABs decided that they couldnt handle not being able to select a player of his ability due to their player restrictions, and relax that rule. Sheehan will be the starting Wallaby half back, and Chucky will be on the bench. Shep will have refound his form and will kick the winning penalty in the rugby world cup final after starting at 15. Finally, JOC (James O'Connor) will get the world player of the year award and will cement his place as one of the best players to ever play the game.
Here. First.
Here. First.
Wallaby Way
Herbert Moran (7)
bhaha, you lost me in the first sentence. Cummins won't be starting after game 3 and will spend the rest of the season behind Mafi and Smith. He lacks the x factor, genuine speed and his ball security in contact is poor.
Shiggins
Simon Poidevin (60)
Haha. I've always wanted Cummings to do better but I think he is too small and agreed with the x factor point. Ripia can play for the wallabies can't he. I thought he is on a aru development deal
Go the force!!!!
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
Cummings? That fat bastard who used to play for West Coast?
I dont really want to see him on the wing! Prop maybe...
But yeah, if Cummins can find the form of 2009, and then build on it, then I will be really quite happy.
Ripia wont be available for the Wallabies for another 3 years I think. As the development player, he will be available soon, but not yet.
Smith wont ever be available having been capped as a 7s player for the cheats.
And Wallaby Way, you didnt detect even the slightest optimism in my post?
I dont really want to see him on the wing! Prop maybe...
But yeah, if Cummins can find the form of 2009, and then build on it, then I will be really quite happy.
Ripia wont be available for the Wallabies for another 3 years I think. As the development player, he will be available soon, but not yet.
Smith wont ever be available having been capped as a 7s player for the cheats.
And Wallaby Way, you didnt detect even the slightest optimism in my post?
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
Oh, and I see Inman running off of OConnor as a very different proposition to Inman running off of Cross.
OConnor will put him through gaps, and Inman is big enough to really exploit that.
The main weakness in the Force team that I see of the back three. I am confident that the halves will be serviceable (remember that both Sheehan and Stannard have some creativity about them, so Ripia being less creative is balanced). The centres I think will be a revelation, like I said above. They compliment each other quite well.
Plus we should have plenty of ball with a strong forward pack and a back row that will give international teams headaches.
OConnor will put him through gaps, and Inman is big enough to really exploit that.
The main weakness in the Force team that I see of the back three. I am confident that the halves will be serviceable (remember that both Sheehan and Stannard have some creativity about them, so Ripia being less creative is balanced). The centres I think will be a revelation, like I said above. They compliment each other quite well.
Plus we should have plenty of ball with a strong forward pack and a back row that will give international teams headaches.
Lance Free
Arch Winning (36)
Ryan Tyrrell has retired from rugby for the Force. This was mooted last year after his neck operation but he came back to training late in 2010. Unfortunately he's hurt himself again. Shame, because he was a local guy who looked like he had a good few years ahead of him - maybe behind Charles and Whittaker but certainly offered some depth.
Lance Free
Arch Winning (36)
Just saw it on their website - announced today.
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