Western Force 2011
- Thread starter RugbyReg
- Start date
- Status
RedsHappy
Tony Shaw (54)
RG is a big mistake, as is keeping Mitchell on in 2011. What a stupid move - an unsuccessful lame duck coach is kept on because he wants to be and has a contract. I suspect the WA RU needs a big clean out a la Reds/QRU. If things don't improve there soon, I suspect there'll be a negative 'tipping point' and rugby in WA will begin to slide down a long hill over the next 3 or so years.
waratahjesus
Greg Davis (50)
agree there Reg. Its a strange signing, its one thing if he has the backing of the current players and will help with resignings but they need a few people over there to plug a few gaps around the park and it just doesnt seem like thats going to happen.
the landscape is changing alot next year and the force are really going to have to push hard to build a culture were players want to move over there. having 4 teams out east is going to give players far greater opportunity to stay close to there homes in nsw and qld than moving west.
in the short term the force and southern kings/spears/whatever should merge and have a half aussie/half saffa team, they could play all there games against SA teams in SA and all the AUs teams in Aus, divide the kiwi teams and its all sweet for everyone.
T
TOCC
Guest
I don't think it's a terrible move, it brings some stability to the team, however there are plenty if quality coaches coming off contract in 2011 as part of the RWC cycle, they have missed a opportunity to attract a coach with a stronger coaching resume
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
Its not a coach that is going to set the world on fire, but one that will provide stability to the team, and also a coach that the players have dealt with already. And in regard to the future of the team, since the exodus of talent at the end of last year, the team has been building a group of young talented players. And the injury crisis of this year has allowed a lot of them to get some good game time. Think to the Reds of the last few years, they are now blooming. The Force now have a core group of Pocock, OConnor, Inman, Turner, McCalman, Cummins, Whittaker and Charles who are all in their very early 20s. And then in the academy Cruze Ah-Nau, Siliva Siliva (who I expect to leave as he would be third behind Whittaker and Charles for a few years yet) and Kyle Godwin who have all shown a lot of promise. By all accounts Willie Ripia will be joining the team too. Ripia is not going to set the world on fire, but he is a stable fly half, that could combine well with the x-factor of OConnor. Fairbrother and Cowen provide an adequate S14 level front row, and one of Sam Wykes or Tom Hocking need to step up to take over from Sharpe when he retires (I am assuming next year will be his last in Oz). The backrow has to be one of the strongest in the competition, and should the backs stay fit, they are adequate at S14 level, and being young will oonly get better.
en_force_er
Geoff Shaw (53)
Come on Shep, I have faith in you to play the WC!
todd4
Dave Cowper (27)
againNICK TAYLOR, The West Australian
July 19, 2010, 8:55 am
Scrum-half James Stannard has re-signed with the Western Force after a two-year absence, agreeing to a one-season deal.
Stannard will fill the hole left by Justin Turner, who is expected to be sidelined for nine months after injuring a knee in last month's IRB junior world championships.
The 27-year-old, preparing for the Commonwealth Games in October, said he was excited about returning to Super rugby.
"I'm really looking forward to it," he said.
"It's weird how things turn out. I didn't think I'd ever be coming back to Perth but I can't wait now."
Stannard believes he has strengthened his game since he was cut from the Force.
"I think I'm a bit wiser now. I'm not running around like a headless chook," he said.
"I was thrown into the deep end a bit when I was there last time but I've learnt a bit more of my trade since then. I'm just happy to be back to give it a crack. If I get my chance it will be up to me to take it with both hands."
The Force fly-half cupboard is bare for next season although they are hopeful of snaring Hurricanes and NZ Maori playmaker Willie Ripia, who is keen to move to Perth.
But they need a back-up and while he has not played in the No.10 jumper for several seasons, Stannard could be an outside chance.
When he moved to Perth in 2006 from Brisbane Souths, he won RugbyWA's PG Hampshire Award for the fairest-and-best player in the No.10 jumper for Palmyra.
It was only when he was picked for the Force academy two years later that he was turned into a scrum-half.
He made his Super debut the same year against the Cheetahs.
He played a handful of games before being released when the Force signed Josh Valentine and kept Chris O'Young and Turner.
�The Force are in discussions with Melbourne Storm centre/winger Dane Nielsen. He is also being chased by NRL sides Cronulla Sharks, his former club, and NZ Warriors.
Nielsen, 26, played in Storm's grand final side last year. He is coming off contract and may have to be released under the salary cap purge.
July 19, 2010, 8:55 am
Scrum-half James Stannard has re-signed with the Western Force after a two-year absence, agreeing to a one-season deal.
Stannard will fill the hole left by Justin Turner, who is expected to be sidelined for nine months after injuring a knee in last month's IRB junior world championships.
The 27-year-old, preparing for the Commonwealth Games in October, said he was excited about returning to Super rugby.
"I'm really looking forward to it," he said.
"It's weird how things turn out. I didn't think I'd ever be coming back to Perth but I can't wait now."
Stannard believes he has strengthened his game since he was cut from the Force.
"I think I'm a bit wiser now. I'm not running around like a headless chook," he said.
"I was thrown into the deep end a bit when I was there last time but I've learnt a bit more of my trade since then. I'm just happy to be back to give it a crack. If I get my chance it will be up to me to take it with both hands."
The Force fly-half cupboard is bare for next season although they are hopeful of snaring Hurricanes and NZ Maori playmaker Willie Ripia, who is keen to move to Perth.
But they need a back-up and while he has not played in the No.10 jumper for several seasons, Stannard could be an outside chance.
When he moved to Perth in 2006 from Brisbane Souths, he won RugbyWA's PG Hampshire Award for the fairest-and-best player in the No.10 jumper for Palmyra.
It was only when he was picked for the Force academy two years later that he was turned into a scrum-half.
He made his Super debut the same year against the Cheetahs.
He played a handful of games before being released when the Force signed Josh Valentine and kept Chris O'Young and Turner.
�The Force are in discussions with Melbourne Storm centre/winger Dane Nielsen. He is also being chased by NRL sides Cronulla Sharks, his former club, and NZ Warriors.
Nielsen, 26, played in Storm's grand final side last year. He is coming off contract and may have to be released under the salary cap purge.
dobduff11
Trevor Allan (34)
Dane Nielsen is the melbourne storms right centre. He has good footwork, speed and a decent defender. I don't think he kicks and have not seen much evidence of a passing game. Would probably be best suited to outside centre or wing if he were to cross codes. He is 6ft 2 and 98 kgs so he is a big guy but i wouldn't expecct him to be a hit in union as he has no previous experience playing it and i dont think he can pass very well
Ash
Michael Lynagh (62)
Nielsen was the Storm's replacement for Chambers. Gone fairly well, as dobduff11 indicated. Thought he did a bit better on attack for the Storm than Chambers did mainly due to his better pace and agility than Chambers, but Chambers was very young. Didn't realise Nielsen was that old! No idea why the Force would be looking at him in particular as a Cross replacement.
farva
Vay Wilson (31)
Force are after a straight running centre. They have Spanner and Inman, but with Tatupu and Cross leaving would be after another. On the other hand, they could play Cummins there (its his original position I believe) and then chase some more wings.
They would also be after a few more playmakers, as JOC (James O'Connor) is the only one on the books at the moment.
They were chasing Ripia, but not sure where that led, I think they are awaiting ARU sign-off.
They would also be after a few more playmakers, as JOC (James O'Connor) is the only one on the books at the moment.
They were chasing Ripia, but not sure where that led, I think they are awaiting ARU sign-off.
todd4
Dave Cowper (27)
Considering Stannards form with the 7's he could be a usefull back-up play-maker, apparently he used to play 10.
The force want to sign Willie Ripia as their overseas development player and need the ARU's go-ahead. By all accounts Ripia is keen to come to Perth and the Force are keen to have him but it all depends if the ARU are prepared to sign off on the deal. Its been going on for weeks now and there doesn't seem to be any news out there to explain the delay.
- Status