Force Lineup

[The Big I]

We are a couple of months from the start of the new S-14 season so what do you think the starting line-up will be???

Heres what I think:

1. Garath Hardy
2. Tai McIssacs
3. Troy Takari
4. Nathan Sharpe©
5. Tom Hocking
6. David Pocock
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau
11. Haig Sare
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepard

What you think???

[jargan83]

No AJ??

[GIGS20]

Nope, AJ will be the impact player from the bench at about 60, scoring a brace of tries. I think there's a better than even chance Scotty Fava will play 6 and Browny 8 Leaving 7 for Bam Bam (I think7's more him anyway)

I'm not sure what Mitch thinks of Haig, he never seems to see much game time,I guess he still has a contract so Mitch would be keen to get some mileage But I think Drew is a better 11 than 14, so the backline hole would be there.

How about Ratu and Nicky Cummins,they both proved themselves capable wingers, and have contracts now.

I'd also tip a flanker converting to lock pretty soon.

[James]

For my money:
1. Gareth Hardey
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Pat O'Connor
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Tamati Horua
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Fava

9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Nick Cummins
15. Cam Shepherd

16. Luke Holmes
17. Angus Scott (sorry AJ but Gus scrummages better)
18. David Pusey
19. Richard Brown
20. Jon McGrath
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Haig Sare

I think Mitch rates Haig just fine but with few backline injuries this year and him being more of a super-sub plus a few injuries he just hasn't had a chance.

I figure after the first year our backline was Mitch's real work-out area we were pretty solid in the set piece and the forwards were usually pretty good but the backs were too young or too injured to do the real damage to in comes Drew, Crossy and Giteau. After this year I think the back-row is the area of redevelopment.

[joblot]

Where does Lachlan MacKay fit into this team? When he is he going to give a return on the investment in him. He certainly showed a lot of promise in his career before coming over. I hope his run of injuries is over so we can see his true worth. Does anyone have news of where he is at regarding fitness?

[jazza93]

can Tamati Horua play for the force, the commentators were saying he is tongan and he can play for thier national team. if he is i dont think he can play for the wallabies, or the force.


heres what i think it will be:

1. Gareth Hardey
2. Tai McIsacc
3. Troy Takiari
4. Pat O`Connor
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Richard Brown
7. David Pocock
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau
11. Dan Bailey
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron shepard

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Walley
18. David Pusey
19. some forward
20. Jon Mcgrath
21. Nick Cummins
22. James Hilgendorf

[The Big I]

IYour right about Bam Bam so I would just swap them around. Junior Pelesasa, Jimmy Hilgendorf and Lachlan McKay weren't in my staring line-up because they are all on the long term injury list.

I like AJ too but he plays the impact player really well.

[James]

can Tamati Horua play for the force, the commentators were saying he is tongan and he can play for thier national team. if he is i dont think he can play for the wallabies, or the force.

If he couldn't play for the Force how could he play for the Brumbies? He was born in Nelson in NZ and since he's been in Australia since he was at school (excluding rugby in Japan) and even captained the U/21 side I doubt it'll be a problem. He probably 'can' play for the Tongan national team and he 'can' play for the New Zealand national team too but if he wanted to do that I'm sure he would have done it by now.

The thing I don't like about Brown, Pocock and Fava in 6,7 & 8 is that they all work very hard but are all less than 105kgs whereas Horua is a bit taller than all of them and is 115kg making him more of a presence at the break-down and more of a damaging ball runner as well as a good option in the line-out. He's something a bit different. I think thats kind of why Mitch used David Pusey a fair bit as a blindside because he weighs more and can jump.

As for Lachie Mackay I think he'll be eased into the team if/when he is used. He hasn't spent much consecutive time with them and bringing him in too soon will only injure him again. No doubt we'll get injuries and he'll come in after the first few games.

[jazza93]

ok

[Jehna]

Last I heard, McKay probably won't be ready for the beginning of the season. I think he'll miss the first few games and will be available for selection for the first home game..

For what its worth my bet for the starting line up would be exactly the same as James. My bench would prob be slightly different though:

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. David Pusey
19. Richard Brown
20. Jon McGrath
21. Nick Cummins
22. Haig Sare

[zimeric]

Cummins would be my bolter at 11 for the early season and if he has form he'll be hard to displace.

[The InnFORCEr]

1. Garath Hardy
2. Tai McIssacs
3. Troy Takari
4. Nathan Sharpe©
5. David Pusey
6. David Pocock
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. Matt Giteau
11. Nick Cummins
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepard

16. Luke Holmes
17. AJ Whalley
18. Tom Hockings
19. Tamati Horua
20. Jon McGrath
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Haig Sare

[GIGS20]

That does look good TiF but I have my doubts about Jon McGrath's ability to step up, he didn't look too flash in the limited time I saw last year. Also it remains to be seen whether Mitch will persist with Drew at 15 and Shep at 11. I know this squad looks a lot more balanced, but it looked a lot more balanced last year as well and we never saw it.

What of the controversial tactic of kicking infield? that didn't work too well last year, and I think our lineout is pretty strong really. Will we play more for the set piece this year, or not? I think this will play a big part in the format of the back three. I think Drew is a better option at 11 (He certainly lit it up from there in the WC) and Nicky to play 14, but you never know, Sheps at 11 and Drew at 15 was the mantra last year. Maybe Ratu or Haig will pick up some caps at 14 Certainly have the size and nouse (respectively) to make a good fist of it.

[The InnFORCEr]

That does look good TiF but I have my doubts about Jon McGrath's ability to step up, he didn't look too flash in the limited time I saw last year.

That "was" a consideration "but" he did play well for the Rebels in ARC of what I saw (they did play the final!) and just the fact that I really think Henners will shine this year and JMcG may have to step up come this years ARC, I kinda rate as Henners back in 2003/4 but he just needs the opportunities.

11,14 & 15, I'm sure will be a raffle of who is fit and available each week, a fairly good problem I think.

[James]

It just comes to the worry of injuries. Although you could always get Giteau in at 9 it would be nice to get an apprentice scrum-half.

If anyone gets any spare time, watch Everybody loves Raymond and take a look at Robert. Now imagine him with no hair and slightly smaller eyebrows. Does anyone else see Sharpie in him?