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This could be interesting!
Good on you Scotty
Fava refutes Jones claims
c/o Fox Sports
March 06, 2007
CLAIMS by Queensland coach Eddie Jones that Australia's fourth Super 14 team was making it harder for everyone to compete are nonsense, according to Western Force and Australia back rower Scott Fava.
In comments sure to add spice to the meeting of the Reds and Force in Perth next week, Fava dismissed Jones' claim Australian talent was now spread too thin, saying the former Wallabies coach should concentrate on his own team's problems.
After the injury-hit Reds capitulated against the Lions last weekend, Jones said the careers of some players currently at Super 14 level had been fast-tracked at speeds beyond their current ability.
However, Fava said many of those Super novices were playing in Perth, and Force was currently top of the four Australian Super 14 sides.
"I think it is nonsense really," Fava said.
"Having a fourth Super 14 team has really allowed access for a lot of younger guys to get a taste of Super rugby.
"You look at half our squad, they basically didn't play a Super rugby game until last year, and now we are first place amongst the Australian teams.
"These guys have had a year under their belt, and most of these guys would not have got an opportunity unless there was a fourth team."
A brutal run of injuries has forced Jones to use youngsters including 19-year-old halfback Will Genia, centre Berrick Barnes (20), five-eighth Quade Cooper (18.) and winger Brando Va'alu (19) this season.
And Fava said Jones should address the problem of his injuries, rather than attacking the competition as a whole.
"He has got a lot of injuries so that has compounded their situation, so he is basically gone out and attacked the competition, when he should really look in his own backyard," Fava said.
Pusey, who played every Super 14 game for Force last year after spending the three years in Ireland with Munster, said it may take time but a fourth Australian team would be beneficial.
"In a few years time we will see the benefits of that, every country goes through a period of rebuilding," Pusey said.
"I think in time it is going to give an extra 30 or 40 players Super 14 experience, and the Wallabies will see the benefits of that in years to come."
While Queensland continues to struggle with injuries, Force has a few concerns of its own ahead of the clash with the Hurricanes at Subiaco on Friday night.
Vice-captain Scott Staniforth is the main doubt with the knee injury that forced him off during the 16-16 draw against the Waratahs last weekend.
Unable to train today with the knee heavily iced, Force coach John Mitchell may have to rejig his backline, with a recall for James Hilgendorf a possibility.
And as Force attempt again to break its duck at home, Fava said talk of home hoodoos were now beginning to grate.
"We would like to (shut everyone up) ... we are sick of hearing about a hoodoo, about Subiaco and how we can't win at home," Fava said.
AAP
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...Mambo is onto something here, when he alluded to the fact that last year we had a horror run of injuries, now it's the reds turn...and the Tahs are also having a bad run, and to a lesser extent the brumbies, so you can't blame the Force or the structure of the super 14's eddie....Stop your f*#!ing whinging for christs sake...
Originally Posted by Burgs
