0
Force now have the firepower
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Print this article
Email to a friend
Small package, big expectations ... Matt Giteau.
Photo: AFP
If 2006 was the Western Force's honeymoon year, it was more Mills and McCartney than Mills and Boon.
Like the relationship between the former Beatle and his soon to be ex-wife, Australia's newest rugby franchise started in a blaze of rosy publicity only for reality to set in all too quickly.
A raft of serious injuries, a couple of dodgy line calls and inexperience of life in the Super 14 fast lane combined to make Australia's newest rugby franchise wooden spooners in its first season.
A solitary win, away against the Cheetahs in May, was scant but probably fair reward for a season that still produced many positives.
The last position didn't really reflect how competitive the Force became as the season progressed - as witnessed by their unlucky 23-all draw with the champion Crusaders - nor the high level of support they received at home.
advertisement - story continues below
But undoubtedly the biggest impact the Force made was off the park, after the season had finished, when it used WA's glut of corporate dollars to lure Wallabies' golden boy Matt Giteau west.
And it is because of that capture - backed up with the high quality signings of Queensland's Drew Mitchell and league convert Ryan Cross - that last year's local curiosity about those big blokes in blue has turned to genuine expectation for the 2007 season.
In a city where football regularly dominates front page as well as back, Giteau's astronomical bounty - reportedly $4.5 million over three years - mean the Force will have more scrutiny in its second season than it did in its first.
And despite disputing that his move from Canberra has made him the highest paid footballer in the land, Giteau acknowledges with great wealth will come great responsibility.
"I suppose there is a little bit of expectation, but given it is a World Cup year everyone has got to play well," Giteau said.
"There are four provinces in Australia that want to put their bid for World Cup positions, and you have got to be playing well and playing consistent.
"There is pressure there, not just because of the signing but because it is World Cup year."
Despite the off-season wrangle between club and country over where the versatile Giteau should play, Force coach John Mitchell has consistently said he will start at inside centre.
Having lacked a depth of backline quality in his first year, Giteau's place is possibly the only one set in stone in the ex-All Black coach's mind.
Along with his new toys, Mitchell also has Cameron Shepherd, Lachlan Mackay, James Hilgendorf, Junior Pelesasa, Digby Ioane, Haig Sare, and last year's top try scorer Scott Staniforth to play with behind the scrum.
And Staniforth, whose outstanding form earned him a Wallaby recall and the Force vice captaincy this year, said the difference in squad depth would be key.
"(Last year) it was probably a case of whoever was left standing got a run. So there will be a few blokes who will have to work a bit harder," Staniforth said.
As well as beefing up on field in the off season, the Force have also made changes on the sidelines, with the departure of forwards coach Ben Darwin and the arrival of former ARU high performance guru Wayne Goldsmith.
With the squad already talking of the toughest pre-season of their careers, skipper Nathan Sharpe admitted he and his fellow Wallabies had some catching up to do when they returned to training after Christmas.
"I've come back into camp like a rusted out old car. All the boys are running quickly and I'm struggling to keep up with them a little bit," Sharpe said.
"What I've seen already, and talking to Matty Giteau, we're both very impressed with what the guys have done here."
And adding to positive Perth vibe is the schedule, which is more forgiving than in 2006, with an extra home game and the visit of some of Super 14's lesser lights to Subiaco.
Those seven home games begin on February 2, against the Highlanders.
WESTERN FORCE
Coach: John Mitchell
Captain: Nathan Sharpe
Last season's finish: 14th
One to watch: David Pocock.
With nearly 6kg to go with each of his 18 years, flanker Pocock already has a 101kg frame ready-made for life in the Super 14.
The fact he made his debut last year, after helping the Australian under-19s to a World Cup triumph in Dubai, also proves John Mitchell thinks he has the brains to go with the beef.
Although the Force hierarchy are wary of burning out a potential superstar, expect the youngster they call "Bam Bam" to shoot for a starting berth at openside breakaway.
Key player: Matt Giteau.
With a pay packet elevating him to WA sporting superstardom before he played a single game in his new state, Giteau carries a significant burden of expectation, as well as a weighty wallet.
John Mitchell has made it clear Giteau will play where it suits the Force - most likely at inside centre but don't rule out five eighth - despite his experimental move to halfback on the Wallabies' European tour.
How he performs could then determine the cohesion of a backline also strengthened by Drew Mitchell and Ryan Cross that now looks set to complement an already competitive forward pack.
Ins: Matt Giteau (ACT Brumbies), Drew Mitchell (Queensland Reds), Ryan Cross (Sydney Roosters), Troy Takiari (NSW Waratahs), Michael Dan (apprentice - Eastwood) Tom Hockings (apprentice - Queensland University), Jon McGrath (apprentice - Brumby Runners)
Outs: Tim Davidson (NSW Waratahs), Dave Fitter (London Irish), Josh Graham (Gold Coast Titans), Brock James (ASM Clermont), Tajhon Mailata (Bay of Plenty), David Te Moana (Manawatu), Gavin DeBartolo (Eastern Suburbs), Ben Ward (Queensland University), Vitori Buatava (Gold Coast), Josh Fuimaono (Gold Coast), John Welborn (retired)
Best line-up: Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, James Hilgendorf, Matt Henjak, Scott Fava, Matt Hodgson, Luke Doherty, Rudi Vedelago, Nathan Sharpe, Troy Takiari, Brendan Cannon, Gareth Hardy.
Comment: After struggling for most of 2006 to find enough quality backs to fill his fledgling side, John Mitchell now has a depth of riches behind the scrum.
The arrival of Giteau, Mitchell and Cross could leave first season discoveries Digby Ioane and Junior Pelesasa warming the bench, giving Mitchell much needed options.
And with some depth of squad to go with a continuation of Perth's newly discovered love affair with rugby, the Force could be a different proposition in 2007, particularly at home.
Reply With Quote
