Force spots up for grabs during trials

[travelling_gerry]

Force spots up for grabs during trials

CHRIS PIKE

January 18, 2010 - 7:09PM
AAP
All spots in the Western Force team are up for grabs as the Perth-based Super 14 franchise heads to South Africa for two trial matches over the next week.


The Force head to South Africa on Tuesday for trial matches in Cape Town against the Stormers (January 23) and Sharks (January 26).


They then play a home trial on February 5 against Queensland ahead of the season-opening blockbuster against Matt Giteau's Brumbies.


It is a vastly different looking Force squad with Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother and Nic Henderson strengthening the forward pack, and Andre Pretorius, Mark Bartholomeusz, Sam Harris and Brett Sheehan adding experience to the backs.
Coach John Mitchell will use two completely different line-ups for the games in Cape Town and the performances will go a long way in determining who will start against the Brumbies on February 12 at ME Bank Stadium.


"Everything is up for grabs in this competition here and there's no premeditation on who will start in the competition. Clearly it's all based on performance now," Mitchell said.


"It's only fair to the players that they play in positions that we look likely to play them in going into the competition.


"Not only does it allow us to see who the best 22 are going into the competition, but it also builds our depth in each of the positions."


Flyhalf Pretorius arrives in Perth to play for a non-South African franchise for the first time in his career after 69 Super rugby caps for the Lions.
He also played for the Springboks 31 times and was a member of the 2007 World Cup-winning squad.


He will get the chance to play back in South Africa in his first game in the Force's sky blue strip - something the 31-year-old says is going to be a surreal experience.


"The weather is definitely a bit cooler there," he said. "It's about 23 in Cape Town today, but I'm looking forward to going there.
"It will be quite strange going back and playing for another country's franchise as opposed to being with a local franchise for 11 years.


"I have no idea what reception I will get. Honestly I have thought about it, but I have no idea. I'm guessing it will be quite warm, so to speak, but it will be strange and something I never thought I would experience."

© 2010 AAP


http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news...0118-mgk0.html

[.X.]

He will get the chance to play back in South Africa in his first game in the Force's sky blue strip - som........

wtf?

[Burgs]

Some skies are different to others I guess, no smog in Perth so our sky is darker...

"All spots in the Western Force team are up for grabs..."

I'm tipping #5 and #7 are pretty much cemented in place...

[Thequeerone]

but everything else .....

Does anyone know of any updates live or otherwise from these games ?

[GIGS20]

Some skies are different to others I guess, no smog in Perth so our sky is darker...

"All spots in the Western Force team are up for grabs..."

I'm tipping #5 and #7 are pretty much cemented in place...

up for grabs still, just nobody on the planet capable of grabbing them.

[brokendown gunfighter]

Mitchell is just repeating what he has said every preseason

[GIGS20]

Yeah but maybe this year he actually gets a say in it!

[Lee Grant]

Every coach in every footie team or whatever type in every comp in every country says the same thing about trials. The journo probably copied what he said last year and changed a few things because of Giteau.

Sometimes trials resolve important matters but more often than not the most important things about trials are: how many injuries; to whom and, how long are they out for?

They're great for the young blokes to experience though.

[GIGS20]

You're right about the rhetoric Lee, but I think S14 trials are pretty valuable in the context of the competition. Let us not forget, the S14 is the shortest competition in the world. If you don't start well you're stuffed. That means trials are the place where you see ant new structures in the heat of battle and assess their suitability. Also, blooding new combinations etc. The trial thing is all about starting on the front foot, which is essential in the S14.

[James]

Also note that the Force have never won an opening Super 14 match and the last three (first year excluded) have been ones where we didn't play particularly well and faded big time in the second half. Lost by a point to the Highlanders in 07, by 4 (I think maybe 6) to the Sharks in 08, and totally capitulated last year against the Blues after seeming to have them on the ropes.

I'm glad we're having 3 big games rather than the usual two. It might get the ugly first game out of the system.

[palitu]

i think trials are great for the match fitness. It is impossible to get the fitness together, without actually playing...

[Lee Grant]

Have just read the lead article again.

So Petoors arrived jut a few days ago? Somehow I thought he had been in Oz a while.

[hertryk]

Have just read the lead article again.

So Petoors arrived jut a few days ago? Somehow I thought he had been in Oz a while.

He has been in Oz for awhile now...He was here on the presentation of the new strips

[Darren]

I went to the flicks with him a couple weeks ago...

[Burgs]

Getting into a bit of self discipline there Boss? Kinky!!!