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Western Force - 2016

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Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
Probably worth having a look at the roster for next year now. This season is drawing to a close, and while I hope we can grab a couple more wins, we haven't built on last year.
Here is the squad and contract dates as pinched from TWF

Props (5):Chris Heiberg 2016
Tetera Faulkner 2017
Ollie Hoskins 2016
Pek Cowan 2016
Francios van Wyk 2015 EPS
I think this is an issue. Faulkner and Cowen are OK and have big hearts but neither is up to standard. Both are really journeymen Hoskins in a great prospect but still 5 years off his peak, but the other reserves are miles back. We need another good loosehead and tighthead.

Hookers (3):
Heath Tessman 2015
Nathan Charles 2016
Robbie Abel 2015 EPS
Decent depth here. Although Charles isn't playing like he did last year. Hopefully his health is still there.

Locks (5):
Wilhelm Steenkamp 2016
Sam Wykes 2015
Adam Coleman 2016
Rory Walton 2016
Steve Mafi 2016
With Wykes going we have the chance to start Colemane and Mafi, which is a strong locking combo. Unfortunately Wykes, while a great servant to the club is a journeyman. Steenkamp needs to step up and Walton, while having a big heart isn't going to ever get there. Id be looking for another good lock and a development lock.

Backrowers (6):
Matt Hodgson 2017
Ben McCalman 2015
Brynard Stander 2015
Angus Cottrell 2016
Chris Alcock 2016
Ross Haylett-Petty 2015 EPS
Probably our strength. Need to keep McCalman though. Koteka has looked pretty good but as a Hooper style player. Stander is probably looking to move on as he wont be getting game time. We have Hodgson for another year or two, just having him around the club is a huge thing.

Scrumhalves (3):
Ian Prior 2015
Alby Mathewson 2016
Ryan Louwrens 2015 EPS
Another strong area. Prior might be looking to move on as I think Louwrens might now be ahead of him. Matheson is probably the best halfback in Australia at the moment.

Flyhalves (2):Zack Holmes 2015
Sias Ebersohn 2017
The main reason for our faultering backline. Neither can lead a backline and they cause real disjoint. We need a good flyhalf.

Centres (4):
Kyle Godwin 2016
Junior Rasolea 2016
Marcel Brache 2015
Luke Burton 2017
Godwin needs to be a 12. He and Rasolea formed a decent partnership in the centres last year. I do think we need a good 13 though, and I am not sold on Rasloea's decision making. So I think a strong 13 to compliment Godwin should be the target. Especially to try and get Godwin away from being the man to take it up in contact and getting him back to making breaks. If Badges defence was better he might be the man. I have no idea where Burton's main position is, but he needs to stay. Brache is a nice squad filler.

Outside Backs (8):
Luke Morahan 2015
Pat Dellit 2015
Dane Haylett-Petty 2015
Brad Lacey 2015 EPS
Albert Nikoro 2016
Mitchell Scott 2016
Nick Cummins 2015
Akihito Yamada 2015 - ARU concession signing
Cummins needs an offseason. And I think we need a good 14. Morahan just isn't good enough. His defence is suspect and he has around 10mins of good rugby a match. Dellit should also go and get Mitch Scott more game time. DHP is coming good. But he alone isn't enough. We need a real strike weapon here to get tries.

Coaching
Where to start? Defence has gone backwards. Foley is a great forwards coach but hasnt a clue on the backs. Our backline is disjointed. Pick and gos wont win matches. We need to break opposition defences. And our handling errors are killing us. And kicking from the tee needs serious work. It would be worth paying for a specialist coach for a month or so here to really figure out what Burton and Ebersohn are doing wrong.

Summary
We need some decent props, flyhalf, outside centre, wing and backs coach, then we will be right.
 

Forcefield

Ken Catchpole (46)
I like the sound of where things are heading. I still don't know if Godwin is a 13 but I like the idea of Tapuai at 12. I'd also really like to see Lance at 10.

I am pretty sure that Godwin and Ebersohn are both also left foot kickers.
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Jono is a good signing, I was disappointing with how many minutes he was given at the Tahs. I would've liked to see him on the bench more often and come on at 12 for Beale to mix things up a bit when our attack isn't working.
 

ChargerWA

Mark Loane (55)
I'm not that keen on Taps. I reckon he is one dimensional and has never looked as good as his break out season.
 

Purce

Dave Cowper (27)
Poor Jonno was all set for Tahs 12 jersey then the Tahs went and signed Beale after signing Lance. He is a very good pick up for the force, if you guys get Taps as well it will solve the traditional problem area with the force.

I still think Lance is the best 10/12 I've seen in Queensland Premier rugby over the past 10 years or so. Really solid all round game. He would combine very well with Taps or Godwin. Would love to see one of those combos with Morahan at 13. This could be the turning point signing for the West.

Unsure why Sias has been signed till 2017? :confused:
 
T

TOCC

Guest
Il be happy for Taps to go somewhere he can get more game time, when he has his fitness under check and is getting quality game time he shows his wallaby potential.. Hopefully he gets that at the force.
 

farva

Vay Wilson (31)
So who goes to make way for these guys?
Are we getting rid of Holmes, And then either Brache or Dellit I would of thought.
 
B

Bobby Sands

Guest
Jono is a very good player, and needs to starting. To me he is a robust 10, who is a decent distributer, excellent defender and a pretty educated peg. Would be much better than Zach or Sias.

Taps is a gun, but Godwin is ultimately a 12. Neither of them are 13s in my opinion. But if you had both it would be in your best interests to play Ben @ 12 and Kyle at 13.

Would be sad to see him go, but he has been mistreated by the Reds and deserves better.
 

Forcefield

Ken Catchpole (46)
Seems odd that you could get two serviceable scrum-halves to sign on for 2 years if there is an experienced old head who is likely to start at the franchise. Pretty sure there was interest from elsewhere with Louwrens.

I reckon Alby will be released at the end of the season and I think it would be a good move. They probably haven't announced it because they don't want to put out too much bad news yet. No point having him around if you have two decent options. Better to use that marquee spot for a 10 or a winger or a lock or a Tighthead prop or an outside centre.

I don't know if he will stick about but I'd love to see Justin Turner back in the Force fold. Angus Taylor is also a good option- I reckon he was gipped out of the U20s by Harry Nucifora.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
With Genia, White and McKibbin all heading offshore it would certainly benefit the Wallabies in the longer term not to have one of the five starting halfback spots taken up by a foreigner.

We badly need some more future Wallabies to get more Super Rugby experience.
 

GaffaCHinO

Peter Sullivan (51)
Considering the press release specifically makes mention of Alby being at the club in 2016 I doubt he is going anywhere.
 

GaffaCHinO

Peter Sullivan (51)
2016 Squad so far

Props (4/5):
Tetera Faulkner 2017
Chris Heiberg 2016
Ollie Hoskins 2016
Pek Cowan 2016

Hookers (1/3):

Nathan Charles 2016

Locks (4/5):
Wilhelm Steenkamp 2016
Adam Coleman 2016
Rory Walton 2016
Steve Mafi 2016


Backrowers (3/6):
Matt Hodgson 2017
Angus Cottrell 2016
Chris Alcock 2016


Scrumhalves (3/3):
Ian Prior 2017
Ryan Louwrens 2017
Alby Mathewson 2016

Flyhalves (1/2):
Sias Ebersohn 2017

Centres (3/4):
Luke Burton 2017
Kyle Godwin 2016
Junior Rasolea 2016

Outside Backs (4/8):
Dane Haylett-Petty 2017
Jono Lance 2017
Albert Nikoro 2016
Mitchell Scott 2016


No Contract for 2016 as yet
Francios van Wyk
Heath Tessman
Robbie Abel
Ben McCalman
Brynard Stander
Ross Haylett-Petty
Zack Holmes
Marcel Brache
Nick Cummins
Pat Dellit
Luke Morahan
Brad Lacey
Akihito Yamada
Kane Koteka

Gone (confirmed)
Sam Wykes
 
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