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5th April 2007, 9:00 WST
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ontentID=25331
As the Western Force steel themselves for one of the most daunting tasks in world sport, coach John Mitchell has warned his team is still two years away from reaching its potential.
And although the former All Black coach has his eyes firmly set on ruining the Crusaders’ three-year unbeaten home record, Mitchell also says it is time for Australia’s traditional rugby powerhouses to come up with fresh ideas to keep pace with Super 14’s new order.
On Saturday in Christchurch, the Force will attempt to succeed where 24 successive teams have failed, beating the Crusaders on their home turf.
And although they sit third on the ladder, eyeing off a remarkable reversal from wooden spooners to semifinalists in a year, Mitchell says his squad is still very much on the upslope of a massive learning curve.
“I still don’t really look at the table too much, but we’ve progressed certainly as a group,” Mitchell said.
“We are probably still physically two years away from where we would like to get. We are still very young and there is still a lot of rugby to be played in this tournament.”
The Force represent the country’s best chance for a finals berth this season. The Waratahs and Reds are propping up the ladder. Speaking to New Zealand radio, Mitchell said it was up to NSW and Queensland to come up with new ways to keep up.
“It is time for them to sharpen their pencils and become a little bit more creative in their approach to sustain hunger and development in their game,” Mitchell said.
Veteran hooker Brendan Cannon, who this week committed to an extra year with the club, said one of the reasons he wanted to stay was the potential of the young club.
“I am having that good a time I don’t want it to end,” he said.
“There is so much more potential left in this group and the challenge is to try and keep it together as one.”
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