Western Force 2013

[waratahjesus]

Cameron Shepherd contract with the Northampton Saints has been cancelled due to his lack of physical guarantees!

Poor guy. Hasn't been able to catch a break for years.

 

[Hawko]

Poor guy. Hasn't been able to catch a break for years.

When he left the Tahs I was pretty distraught. He had speed, a monster boot and huge skills and the potential to be a winger/fullback for the Wallabies for years. But then his body started to break down and it just has never properly recovered. One of those Wallaby might-have-beens.

Best wishes for the future Cam!

 

[Ash]

Sad, but unsurprising. Hopefully he can get fit and a good paying gig in Japan.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Can Confirm that Hugh Mcmeniman is back in Australia and the race to get his signature is now a 2 horse race between Force & Reds. Apparently his friendship with Richard Brown is a big factor in why he might link up with the force, but offer to settle at hoem in brisbane might be to good to refuse

 

[ChargerWA]

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...922/shepherds-northampton-rugby-deal-torn-up/

Oh well, if he want's to come back we still have a few spots open

 

[ChargerWA]

Can Confirm that Hugh Mcmeniman is back in Australia and the race to get his signature is now a 2 horse race between Force & Reds. Apparently his friendship with Richard Brown is a big factor in why he might link up with the force, but offer to settle at hoem in brisbane might be to good to refuse

Awesome, if we pick him up we can use him as a lock.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Awesome, if we pick him up we can use him as a lock.

my thoughts exactly to quote wha ti said int he reds thread


According to my sources he isn't after to big of bucks he has made his cash in Japan and now just wants to give super 15 a crack.......Should go to force and maybe play some lock for them so they can field a team that looks like
Cowan
Charles
Manu/Maafu
Lynn
Mcmeniman
Brown/Cottrell
Hodgson
McCalman
Looks Like a decent forward pack to me with Wykes, Atkins, McCaffrey on the bench.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Plus a backlien of

9.Holmes
10. Godwin
11. Mafi
12. Ebersohn
13. Cummins
14.Tupou
15. Norton-Knihgt
Fielded wors eline ups this year and this seems to have a better mix. Myabe a more bonafide fullback/wing try scorer and push norton knight to 12 and you have a good team

 

[ChargerWA]

How about Norton-Knight carries the drinks and we let the first punter who shows up wearing boots play 15?

The decision to contract SNK is just baffling.

Or the fairytale ending is Shep comes back, stays fit and fulfills his potential.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

How about Norton-Knight carries the drinks and we let the first punter who shows up wearing boots play 15?

The decision to contract SNK is just baffling.

Or the fairytale ending is Shep comes back, stays fit and fulfills his potential.

He isnt terible i we need him or ebersohn in the 12 role as we need a second five-eoght kind of player to compliment cummins and take th eload off godwin shoulders who should with out a doubt be the starting 10 next year

 

[Braveheart81]

You'd hope that Norton-Knight is a better player than when he left Australia.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

my thoughts exactly to quote wha ti said int he reds thread


According to my sources he isn't after to big of bucks he has made his cash in Japan and now just wants to give super 15 a crack...Should go to force and maybe play some lock for them so they can field a team that looks like
Cowan
Charles
Manu/Maafu
Lynn
Mcmeniman
Brown/Cottrell
Hodgson
McCalman
Looks Like a decent forward pack to me with Wykes, Atkins, McCaffrey on the bench.

Looks pretty uninspiring to be honest. Manu and Cottrell are promising players, and Mcmeniman, Brown, Hodgson and McCalman have performed in the past, but that pack as a whole would rank at the lower end of the competition.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

I think if brown was dropped cottrell put in it looks better but i think they need to sign a better lock option even some one with expeirience of current QLD premier player dan linde woudl be good (players aus 21's and Japanese proffesional) Brad Thorn-esque kind of lock. Knocked Rod Soliolo of his perch at honda heat.

if better options were supplied for lynn/brown the forward pack would go well. People didnt rate the brumbies pack at the beginning of the year and look how that panned out.

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Looks pretty uninspiring to be honest. Manu and Cottrell are promising players, and Mcmeniman, Brown, Hodgson and McCalman have performed in the past, but that pack as a whole would rank at the lower end of the competition.

prob would have said the same thing about the brums last year.

Alexander
Moore
Palmer
Fardy
Carter
Kimlin
Hooper
Mowan

Dont see much difference in the 2 teams. i think it comes down to prospective and coaching staff. The Force forwards will be fine.

 

[waratahjesus]

You'd hope that Norton-Knight is a better player than when he left Australia.

In terms of filling out 4 and now 5 super teams, SKN was definitely up to standard. If he is at the same level he was when he left he is a very solid signing and will provide the force with more than they expect.

 

[thierry dusautoir]

I dont care how it happens but out of Ebersohn,Godwin & SNK at least 2 need to be on the field preferably all three I think Ebersohn actually might be limited to just being a ten? so if this is the case does anyone know if Godwin can play 12? I just don't think fullback is the best option for him i would prefer him at 10 but with ebersohn on the way I am not sure if its gonna happen

 

[GaffaCHinO]

yeah Godwin can play 10/12/15 10 prob his best but still a very handy 12

 

[thierry dusautoir]

Well he should play there then he showed a decent running game in that crusaders match at the end of the season and him and ebersohn feeding cummins and mafie sounds good to me. All we need is a good winger and we should have an alright backline. But we need a second playmaker at 12 to compliment Cummins other wise our attack will be one dimensional again. Ebersohn from what i have seen looks classy he was unlucky this year at the cheetahs he is only 23 so still some growth left in him to.

 

[BrumbiesPolynesian]

Salesi Manu has been named in the North Harbour Team for the ITM Cup for this season. Plays his first game tomorrow (Fri) against Northland for a Pre Season fixture. Should be good experience for him. Rumors in NZ also Force has signed three NZ Players, two S15 Players and one Fringe S15 player....and also possibility of an ex All Black midfielder signing from Japan....

 

[ChargerWA]

Good god Vern Reid was woeful on The Rugby Club. Someone call Police HQ and ask to have his drivers licensed revoked. Such willful selective blindness is damaging.

Why couldn't he admit they had made a mistake in dragging out the coaching appointment in such a secretive manner?

It clearly affected perception of the Force's competence as an organisation, which in turn affected player retention and the willingness of a top flight coach to commit. A bit of humility and recognition of past failures might have bought him some good will to build on.