Force signing touches down in Perth
SHAYNE HOPE, The West Australian November 26, 2009, 5:14 pm
http://l.yimg.com/fv/xp/wan/20091126/22/381775659.jpg Getty Images / Mark Nolan ©
Fresh after completing his exams at the University of Sydney, Western Force recruit Mitch Inman has touched down in Perth to begin preparations for the 2010 Super 14 season.
Inman, who signed with the WA franchise for two years in July, is part of a long-term Force strategy to recruit and develop young players in order to build the nucleus of a successful team.
The 21-year-old centre finished Sydney’s 2009 club rugby season on a high by playing in Sydney University’s Shute Shield grand final victory over Randwick and made the move west this week.
He couldn’t hide his excitement at pulling on the ocean blue jersey he had dreamed of wearing since his days at boarding school.
“It’s just so surreal for me at the moment, it’s what I’ve dreamed of was to play Super 14 at some stage,” Inman said.
“I’m definitely on the pathway, I’ve got a chance to do it so I’ve got to prove myself over the next three months and see how it shapes up.”
Inman won the Force’s beep test at UWA Sports Park this afternoon, proof of his dedication to a fitness regime he has maintained since the Sydney club season.
However, he admitted he had plenty of hard work ahead of him before the Force’s first pre-season trial matches in South Africa next year.
The Force take on the Stormers on January 23 before their clash the Sharks three days later. The pre-season schedule winds up with a home battle against Queensland at ME Bank Stadium on February 5.
“I’ve come in at the right week, I’ve come in on the down week so it gives me a bit of time to settle in,” Inman said.
“I think the next three weeks are going to be very strenuous but it’s just about getting your head up for it.
“I’ve been continuing training with Sydney Uni and training with a couple of the boys there. They’ve been great over there.
“Obviously I knew I was going to be behind the eight-ball no matter how fit or how much training I was doing over there.
“It’s good that I’ve got a bit of fitness up but we’ll definitely tell how I’m going in the aerobic fitness by the yo-yo test.”
Inman hopes to see some game time first season, during which the specialist outside centre will compete with current Wallabies centre Ryan Cross for a position in the Force backs.
However, it’s support and advice, rather than competition, that he hopes to garner from Cross during his debut season in one of the world’s most demanding provincial rugby competitions.
“He’s been at a professional level for at least 10 years so I’m sure he’s got a lot of experience and hopefully I can learn a bit from him,” Inman said.
“My aim is to be on the field at some stage, whatever it takes. When you’re a young player like myself you’re very hungry, so whatever it takes for me to get on the field and collectively we’ve got to play well as a team.”
The Force open their Super 14 season with a home game against the Brumbies at ME Bank Stadium on February 12.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...down-in-perth/
