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Force plans to negate Larkham
* Wayne Smith
* April 17, 2007
WHILE the Western Force is relieved it will not have to contend with Stirling Mortlock at Canberra Stadium on Friday night, the Brumbies captain was never its main concern.
It is Wallabies playmaker Stephen Larkham who shapes as the Force's most difficult problem, which explains why three big recruits from the Brumbies, Matt Giteau, Matt Henjak and Scott Fava, are making a major contribution to the planning for this critical derby.
Giteau, especially, has insights on Larkham that few, if any, opposition players in the world could offer.
He played outside the five-eighth in most of his 40 Super games for the Brumbies before moving to Perth at the end of last season.
"Gits, Henjak and Fava know how Bernie (Larkham) runs their side and we've had a good look at how to shut him down," Force captain Nathan Sharpe said yesterday.
Yet all the pre-match analysis and insider information in the world won't save the Force from a Larkham onslaught if he is presented with the same leaky, staggered defensive line offered up against the Crusaders and Chiefs.
Having conceded only eight tries in its first eight matches this season, the Force has wilted badly in its past two outings, giving up eight to the Crusaders and a staggering nine to the Chiefs.
"No mistake, if we let Bernie run, he'll dominate the game," Sharpe said. "By the same token, we can't afford to focus exclusively on him. He'll quickly realise that and distribute the ball to where the holes are.
"They've got world-class players right across the park but a guy like Julian Huxley is someone we'll really have to watch."
Still, for all the flaws exposed in its defensive system - or, more correctly, its defensive execution - the Force remains a potent force with ball in hand, notching five tries against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher is not expecting his players will be allowed the same latitude in attack that the Chiefs enjoyed in their 64-36 win over the Force.
"The strength of the Force's game has been their defence this season," Fisher said.
"Sure, there's been a big turnaround in the last two games but that's fixable.
"Besides, you can't necessarily draw a line between Kiwi sides and ourselves.
"They're different styles entirely and it may be that what we do the Force will handle better."
Australian derbies have been dreary affairs this year, with the Reds' matches against the Brumbies and NSW plumbing the depths, but Fisher is expecting the last one of the season - barring an unlikely replay of the Brumbies and Force in the play-offs - to be a cracker.
"Obviously, both sides will be up for it and you're now at that stage of the season where you're not only looking to win but also to score bonus points, so I'm expecting some tries," Fisher said.
Although the Brumbies are on a three-match winning streak with wins over the Sharks, Lions and Waratahs, only the latter performance provided Fisher with any real encouragement that his side is about to ignite.
"We've got some confidence behind us but we're not playing at our best," he said.
"Still, the NSW game was our best of the year and, if we can get good set pieces again, fast recycles and Steve (Larkham) taking the ball hard to the line like he did against the Waratahs, we'll take some stopping."
Certainly, blindside flanker Jone Tawake took some stopping by the Waratahs and he will loom large again at Canberra Stadium, although the Force has been put on notice to prepare for him.
Fisher has abandoned all hope of seeing Daniel Heenan wearing the No.6 jersey this season, with the former Test backrower only just resuming training following his shoulder reconstruction.
The Brumbies are intent on re-signing him for another two seasons but his staggering injury record has dramatically driven down the offer the ARU has made him.
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