Recruitment boost on its way for Force

[GAFFA]

The Australian Rugby Union is poised to give the Western Force dispensation to recruit more overseas players in a bid to strengthen the Super Rugby club.

The Force have been pushing for changes to the recruitment rules for 12 months and the ARU has revealed that a report is being prepared by its high-performance unit.

An ARU spokesman said the Force plea for help was under consideration.

"The ARU is cognisant of the Force needs and will be looking for ways to ensure they can strengthen their player roster," the spokesman said.

Australian Super clubs can recruit an overseas player who has played for his country and a foreign development player.

The Melbourne Rebels were given dispensation to sign 10 overseas players when they were awarded the fifth franchise, although that number will be reduced over coming seasons.

Force chief executive Vern Reid wants to be able to recruit three overseas players - either all development players or a marquee signing and two development players.

He also wants to be allowed to recruit one development player every year. Currently clubs must wait two years for a player to qualify for Australia before they can sign another.

"We welcome the progress, are hopeful that the outcome will be positive and that a decision is made quickly as we are in high recruiting mode," Reid said.

Meanwhile, retiring Western Force foundation player Nathan Sharpe says man-management is a crucial factor as the club closes in on a successor to coach Richard Graham.

"The coach must have very good technical knowledge and a very good man-management style," he said.

"You need to look at the fit of the individual and how he will fit within the club, certainly one that will embrace the community, that's very important for the club and the State."

Force players and staff struggled with the style of former coach John Mitchell, who was sidelined in 2009 while an independent inquiry investigated complaints about his behaviour.

Mitchell was suspended by the Johannesburg-based Lions last week amid reports of player complaints about his methods and management skills.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...way-for-force/

[sandgroperrugby]

Finally some help in the face of adversity!!!!

[jono]

We'll see. This is J'ON remember
Posted via Mobile Device

[PerthChicka]

Interesting comments from Sharpie there (if accurately reported). Good man-management skills and a willingness to embrace the community - a reference to the shortcomings of both the previous coaches maybe?

[todd4]

I am dissapointed that they asked for only one extra overseas player. Why not ask for an extra 3 or 4 and negotiate from there?.

[shasta]

Fair point. But I'm happy they are putting more emphasis on extra development spots and more frequent opportunities to recruit them. More likely to put in & more likely to stay a while.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jt12]

Great comments about the new coach from Sharpie - he of absolutely all of the players who have graced the blue jersey knows what is needed. He should be on the interview panel - he will be retired, close enough to the players and the culture to understand what will work here and what will not and objective.How can currently rostered players have any say in this process at all.

[PerthGirl]

Scott Staniforth is on the panel as a player rep

[SNOB]

Interesting comments from Sharpie there (if accurately reported). Good man-management skills and a willingness to embrace the community - a reference to the shortcomings of both the previous coaches maybe?

Agreed PC I wonder if thats the press taking things out of context.
I'm still a little perturbed by the fact that the players seem to have so much say in the selection of a coach.

[PerthChicka]

Do you think they really have though Snob? Or is it just Pocock who's been involved?

I'm not sure I believe anything the newspapers, trollpapers and trollsites say anymore.

[WF1964]

Interesting comments from Sharpie there (if accurately reported). Good man-management skills and a willingness to embrace the community - a reference to the shortcomings of both the previous coaches maybe?

I'm pretty sure they were Sharpie's actual words - watch the youtube interview that was posted yesterday

[Burgs]

Player involvment in selection means some ownership of the decision.
The last thing we could afford is a pre-season walkout by players.

[DarthMoose]

Player involvment in selection means some ownership of the decision.
The last thing we could afford is a pre-season walkout by players.

Let's hope we can go a preseason without some form of off field drama...

[sittingbison]

Artful Dodger?
Posted via Mobile Device

[onions]

I think with a couple more young Saffas to join Sias we could go alright next year.A conversion missed in both the Rebels games, missed penalty against the Brumbies and acheating linesman against the Cheetahs and we're 12 comp. points better off.Granted we've played total rubbish for a lot of the season and had at the beginning of the year,the worst coach in the history of the world but the club is no where as bad as the ES journos make out.Please God you can put off my 1st div. lotto win for a couple of months and get us agood coach instead.