Western Force 2011

[farva]

Turner is broken, so I would expect to see Stannard come in as the back up halfback. Swanepoel is the other scrummie they have but dont see him getting a bench spot yet.

And wouldnt be surprised to see McCalman start ahead of Wykes. But in the long run, Hocking needs game time as once Sharpe goes, he will be the one the Force look too to act as the new lineout general.

And I expect them to sign a few new outside backs. They have lost Haig Sare and Dane Haylett-Petty so need cover there. Also like to see them sign a new young prop and a young new lock - could be time to elevate Cruze Ah-Nau to a full contract?

 

[RugbyReg]

I'd be all over Aiden Toua and I'd start JOC (James O'Connor) at 12.

Something like:

15 Barto (or Toua)
14 Shepherd
13 Inman
12 JOC (James O'Connor)
11 Cummins
10 Willie R
9 Sheehan

etc
etc

and Likewise, I'd be starting McCalman at lock too.

 

[AussieDominance]

McCalman was absolute quality on the weekend for Uni against Eastwood. Physically he was miles ahead and as they are saying very hard nosed.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Yep, he was. I had my doubts about him at the beginning of last season, but he has developed rapidly. The issue we have now is how does he break into the Force back row? He might have to play at lock.

With respect to 9/10/12, I've not heard anything about Turner being hurt, but he looked the goods to me last season. Ripia will obviously play at 10 and I would like to see JOC (James O'Connor) play at 12. It's his natural position and the times over the last two seasons that he's played there he has been very good.

We do need some outside backs though.

 

[farva]

The Brown Hornet, Turner is having a knee recon.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/rugby-union/7420929/stannard-eyes-a-return-to-force/

Out for 8 months apparently

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

That is a bummer. The games he played late in the season I thought he was outstanding.

 

[en_force_er]

My suggested perfect Force 22. It's looks damn good and could really go places.

15 O'Connor (doing JO'Cs immediate WC future a massive favour)
14 Shepherd (to share fullback workload with J'OC)
13 Inman
12 Bartholomeusz (cool headed 2nd ball player, important in a young backline. could rotate with J'OC based on what they want from a particular play)
11 Cummins
10 Ripia
9 Sheehan
8. Hodgson
7. Pocock
6. McCalman (to go to 8 on defensive scrums)
5. Sharpe
4. Wykes
3. Fairbrother
2. Charles
1. Cowan

16. Whittaker
17. Longbottom (have to start backing locals)
18. Hockings
19. Brown (it's cruel but loose-trios with 3 opensiders don't win championships, you need a mix)
21. Swanepoel (covers 9/10 now)
22. Staniforth (covers 11-14, there are plenty of 13s in the starting side)

Thoughts?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I like the look of that 22 and hope it's what we put out on the paddock.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

My suggested perfect Force 22. It's looks damn good and could really go places.

15 O'Connor (doing JO'Cs immediate WC future a massive favour)
14 Shepherd (to share fullback workload with J'OC)
13 Inman
12 Bartholomeusz (cool headed 2nd ball player, important in a young backline. could rotate with J'OC based on what they want from a particular play)
11 Cummins
10 Ripia
9 Sheehan
8. Hodgson
7. Pocock
6. McCalman (to go to 8 on defensive scrums)
5. Sharpe
4. Wykes
3. Fairbrother
2. Charles
1. Cowan

16. Whittaker
17. Longbottom (have to start backing locals)
18. Hockings
19. Brown (it's cruel but loose-trios with 3 opensiders don't win championships, you need a mix)
21. Swanepoel (covers 9/10 now)
22. Staniforth (covers 11-14, there are plenty of 13s in the starting side)

Thoughts?

I'd have Fairbanks here but otherwise looks a solid 22. Injuries could easily cripple then again though with their extended squad

 

[RugbyReg]

I like the look of that 21 and hope it's what we put out on the paddock.

fixed

 

[farva]

My suggested perfect Force 22. It's looks damn good and could really go places.

15 O'Connor (doing JO'Cs immediate WC future a massive favour)
14 Shepherd (to share fullback workload with J'OC)
13 Inman
12 Bartholomeusz (cool headed 2nd ball player, important in a young backline. could rotate with J'OC based on what they want from a particular play)
11 Cummins
10 Ripia
9 Sheehan
8. Hodgson
7. Pocock
6. McCalman (to go to 8 on defensive scrums)
5. Sharpe
4. Wykes
3. Fairbrother
2. Charles
1. Cowan

16. Whittaker
17. Longbottom (have to start backing locals)
18. Hockings
19. Brown (it's cruel but loose-trios with 3 opensiders don't win championships, you need a mix)
20. Swanepoel/Stannard (covers 9/10 now)
21. Fairbanks
22. Staniforth

Thoughts?

 

[en_force_er]

Yeah forgot a number, my bad. Does anyone know is Barto has played much 2nd 5/8?

His all round game would certainly suit it.

 

[Gnostic]

I'd still have Spanner starting at 12. He offers offloading ability plus the large power runner at 12 many have said has been missing from the Wallabies this year.

The two playmakers system is crap IMO.

 

[farva]

I'd still have Spanner starting at 12. He offers offloading ability plus the large power runner at 12 many have said has been missing from the Wallabies this year.

The two playmakers system is crap IMO.

Good point. And they would be taking two playmakers in regardless with OConnor at 15. So Bart to 22, Spanner to 12.
And having two big running centres in Spanner and Inman would be good, with Inman able to learn off the more experienced Spanner.

 

[observer]

It's a good squad but when I watched Bartholomeusz this year I felt he was not the same player he was when running around with the Brumbies

 

[Eyes and Ears]

It's a good squad but when I watched Bartholomeusz this year I felt he was not the same player he was when running around with the Brumbies

That's because he is 33. Not many backs are still at their peak at 33.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I agree that he's not the player he once was.

 

[dobduff11]

Backline should look something like this

9 Sheehan
10 Ripia
11. Cummins
12. JOC (James O'Connor)
13. Inman
14. Staniforth
15. Shepherd

20. Swanopoel / Turner when hes back
21. Hunt / Fairbanks
22. Bartholomuez

THe force should definetly sign aidan toua

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

The choices at 12 and 15 will be interesting, Dod. I'd like to see JOC (James O'Connor) play there and for the whole season, but only if Shep is actually fit.

 

[sudrugby]

I'd be all over Aiden Toua and I'd start JOC (James O'Connor) at 12.

Something like:

15 Barto (or Toua)
14 Shepherd
13 Inman
12 JOC (James O'Connor)
11 Cummins
10 Willie R
9 Sheehan

etc
etc

and Likewise, I'd be starting McCalman at lock too.

Has he signed for the Force? He's still supposed to play for the Reds