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Former Brumbies lock Richard Stanford is a welcome addition to the Western Force lock brigade and he feels ready to make an impact in the Super 14 competition.
After three years and just six caps with the Brumbies, the 198cm, 110kg 22-year-old is hopeful of receiving some opportunities from coach John Mitchell and he feels ready to form a terrific lock combination with veteran Nathan Sharpe, and fellow youngsters Tom Hocking and Sam Wykes.
"It's good here with the mix. I've played with Pat O'Connor, Tom Hockings and Pek Cowan before in the 19s and 21s, so to come over and be back with those guys is good," he said.
"I haven’t even met Sharpey to be honest, but I've heard about his great leadership and how he runs the lineout. I'm looking forward to working with him and he certainly has a wealth of experience behind him."
Stanford has now been in training with the Force for several weeks since arriving in WA and is excited about the change he has made, both in and outside of rugby.
"It's good to be back in a full time program again. Last season finished quite a while ago now and the opportunity to come to Perth and start with a new team presents me with a good challenge," he said.
"When I was at the Brumbies I always lived with a teammate but I've decided to keep the two separate this time around. There's still a feeling of something new with this team and I sense since being here a lot of potential in the players and organisation. To be part of that should be a great thing."
While he might not have received the time on the park with the Brumbies he would have liked, he will forever be grateful for the chance to learn off the likes of George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and Jeremy Paul.
"To hang out and train with guys like Gregan, Larkham, Paul and Young was great just to get a feel of their ideas on the game and how they operated in a professional environment was unreal," he said.
"In terms of providing confidence and showing a pathway, Jeremy Paul was probably the best for me."
As for the Force, Stanford is looking forward to playing under John Mitchell and is confident of the Perth-based team making the finals for the first time in 2009.
"I always have better relationships with coaches that are ex-players, especially ones that were forwards like he is so I've enjoyed being around him so far," he said.
"My understanding from watching the Force play was that they lost a few on full time and there seems to be a focus on finishing."
http://sportal.com.au/rugby-union-ne...to-force-60088