Western Force 2007 Squad

[Burgs]

With admittedly a few last contracts to finalise, let's have a stab at next years Force twenty two to try and have some Force in TWF in these months!
To get the ball rolling, here's the version from the Three Rivers Rugby Club:

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. Pat O'Connor
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. David Pusey
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. Lachlan MacKay
11. Digby Ioane
12. Matt Giteau
13. Scott Staniforth
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd
16. Angus Scott
17. Brendan Cannon
18. Rudi Vedelago
19. Luke Doherty (if contracted, otherwise Richard Brown)
20. Chris O'Young
21. James Hilgendorf
22. Ryan Cross

[AndyS]

Not far from the mark I suspect, and a formidable backline at that. It'll be interesting to see how a successful season might affect the look of the Wallabies, or whether it will be all "can't change horses mid-stream".

Not sure when Cross comes over and how quickly he'll get up to speed on the plays. It might initially be Pelesasa on the bench, as Hilgendorf provides very flexible cover with the fall-back position of moving Staniforth if necessary.

Based on AusA, 11 and 14 may also flip over. It is an interesting one - do you put Ioane on the short side for the power of his running, or in space with just one guy to beat (drag along, pick up and carry, trample, generally humiliate, etc)?

It'll also be interesting to see what influence this years end-of-season tour will have, as I suspect the bulk of our starting backline and the spine of the scrum will have the sit-out period to serve.

[Darren]

The forwards seem pretty set, there's a lot to try in the backs - this is not ideal, but I'd like to see jimmy and stanners pair of at 10/12 again:

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Angus Scott
4. Pat O'Connor
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. David Pusey
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Matt Giteau
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Digby Ioane
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd

16. Troy Takiari
17. Bredan Cannon
18. Chris O'Young
19. Luke Doherty
20. Scott Daruda
21. Ryan Cross
22. Lachlan MacKay
23. Haig Sare

probably see this in the backs before too long I reckon:

10. Mat Giteau
11. Digby Ioane
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Cameron Shepherd
15. Drew Mitchell

[Sagerian]

1. Gareth Hardy
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Angus Scott
4. Pat O'Connor
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. David Pusey
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. Lachlan MacKay
11. Digby Ioane
12. Matt Giteau
13. Scott Staniforth
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd

16. Troy Takiari
17. Brendan Cannon
18. Chris O'Young
19. James Hilgendorf
20. Josh Graham
21. Ryan Cross
22. Haig Sare


I daresay that's the best Aussie S14 backline going.

[Burgs]

Josh Graham has gone Sage
Might need another forward on the bench too?

[Sagerian]

Oh yeah right, as if the forwards will get injured, that's likely.

Sorry I'm not familiar enough with the bench players to put a 22 together

I'll edit it later.

[.X.]

how long do you think it will take for John Connolly to call John Mitchell and say "John if you dont mind, could you please run Gitts at 10 for a couple of games"

Especially if Larkham gets injured.

[AndyS]

From memory, Giteau has said he is not interested in playing 10. If that is true, I am not sure what Connolly could offer to force the issue. Personally, I'd hope Mitchell would say that he was more interested in creating a 10/12 pairing for the future.

Given last years run, the bigger concern might be what lies below the backs in the likely 22. By my count, it only leaves:
Daruda
Mailata
Peden
Pelesasa
Stapleton
Sare

No problems with Pelesasa (obviously) and Sare (who looked to have the goods last year), but the rest don't have a whole lot of experience. If Mitchell is looking at a squad of 33, Mailata will probably go as well (being off contract).

[Shaun]

Coach for me I would prefer to see Gits in at outside centre rather than wing, although digby could make a machince of an outside centre

my force backline... in a logic pattern this time
9. Henjak
10. Mackay
11. Ioane
12. Giteau
13. Staniforth
14. Mitchell
15. Shepard

[Ren]

I agree with Shaun...Giteau or Digby would be good in outside center

[Sagerian]

He's on a f**king packet, pretty sure he'll do what he's told.

[Jess]

although digby could make a machince of an outside centre

a machince?? *shakes head* shaun... for the sake of your spelling progress i hope that is a new 'cool' word all the kids are using...

[AndyS]

Personally, I think Ioane's long term future will be OC but not for a few years yet. The ideal for mine would be him sitting on the wing and learning the position from Staniforth/Pelesasa/Mortlock before moving in as the older guys leave and some younger wing comes through. Another couple of years maturity, growth and smarts and there'll be a lot of Umaga about him.

[JediKnight]

...and smarts and there'll be a lot of Umaga about him.

What'll he'll start hitting Irish centres with his handbag?

[Ren]