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Thread: Beware the enigmatic Force

  1. #1
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    Beware the enigmatic Force

    Beware the enigmatic Force

    RICHARD KNOWLER

    April 19, 2010 - 5:27PM


    Force coach John Mitchell. Photo: Getty Images



    Perth, the home of the Western Force and their mysterious coach, whose personality appears to be fused between that of a Dalek and an Easter Island statue, has never been an easy hunting ground for the Crusaders.


    When they last visited the Western Australian capital two years ago, the Crusaders sneaked a 29-24 win against coach John Mitchell's team, but only after Casey Laulala's try capped-off a fightback when his side trailed 24-12 at halftime.
    Among the more bizarre incidents to emerge when the two sides clashed in Perth was former Crusaders lock Ali Williams running around with a black beard – having dyed it from his natural ginger colour before the 2008 match – although the Force players will probably maintain Haig Sare's disallowed try two years earlier betters Williams' number. On that night Sare had what appeared to be a legitimate try disallowed by the television match official. The Crusaders escaped with a 23-all draw and the Force fans screeched blue murder.


    On Wednesday the Crusaders fly out for for their third match in Perth since the Force entered the Super 14 in 2006.


    That Mitchell is still in charge of the Force after the players and back office staff revolted against him before the 2008 season is probably testament to his watertight contract and thick skin.


    However, it would be naive to underestimate his coaching ability because of those off-field shenanigans. Mitchell's nous is something the Crusaders will be wary of when they meet the Force at the new ME Bank Stadium on Friday night.


    Outside of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, there is also no other coach in Australia who has such an intimate idea of how the Crusaders main men operate.


    After all, it was Mitchell and Deans who blooded Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Brad Thorn into the All Blacks between 2001 and 2003.


    Although they rolled over in their 38-17 loss to the Blues on Saturday, the Force will be competitive in Perth. Unlike the Crusaders, who have been given just 48 hours to prepare and acclimatise to the unfamiliar surrounds, they will have all week to devise their downfall.


    Despite the Force's dismal record of just two wins, there is a feeling this will not be easy for the Crusaders who, for whatever reasons, always encourage the Perth team to bare their fangs at home.


    The 45-6 victory against the Cheetahs at AMI Stadium on Saturday night was hardly flawless. On the positive side, the Crusaders' defence was tremendous and their scrum was a monster, with loosehead Wyatt Crockett reconfiguring WP Nel's spine. The loose-forward unit, led by McCaw and Thomas Waldrom, was outstanding against an opponent that offered little in attack apart from trying to punch the ball around the fringes.


    Lock Sam Whitelock continues to impress and pivot Daniel Bowden slotted in seamlessly.


    On the flipside the Crusaders' handling was sloppy and their passing was inaccurate.
    To repeat this and expect to win in Perth, Cape Town and Pretoria would require them to lean heavily on their luck.


    http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...0419-soyc.html

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  2. #2
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    An example of an author trying to be too clever for his own good?

    GO THE FORCE!!!

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    "Bloody oath we did!"

    Nathan Sharpe, Legend.

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    i think he gave the Force the respect they deserve unlike some East coast Journo's
    however he can talk a load of.. cant he

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