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Force battles to keep Giteau
By Bret Harris
September 29, 2008 WESTERN Force admits it will have a fight on its hands retaining key players such as Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau, but rejected any suggestion of a revolt against coach John Mitchell.
There has been media speculation about a falling-out between Mitchell and players, but the Force has denied knowledge of it.
The Force has some big-name players coming off contract at the end of next year, including Giteau and fellow Wallabies Drew Mitchell, David Pocock and James O'Connor.
It is understood Giteau is considering a return to the Brumbies after he did not receive money owed to him by the failed fuel technology company Firepower, which sponsored him.
Giteau's management is believed to be exploring other third-party sponsorship deals which would keep him in Perth.
Force chief executive Greg Harris said the state of the global economy made it a challenge for all sporting teams to recruit and retain players.
"We have a significant number of players coming off contract," Harris said.
"That's an important factor. We also have a coach who is a well-proven coach.
"There are a number of issues. The biggest is the dollar value. I don't think John Mitchell is a factor, I really don't."
If Force players did have serious issues with Mitchell, it would potentially be a major problem because he has been re-signed for another three years.
Harris said he had not received any "official" complaints about Mitchell from the Force players.
"If there was an issue, it would be up to me to take it up (with the Rugby WA board)," Harris said.
"I've had no official report or dossier on anything. End of section."
But the fact Harris used the word "official" leaves open the possibility he has had unofficial communication with players in relation to Mitchell.
Mitchell has returned to Perth after trekking the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea after the Force's UK tour.
His manager, John Fordham, has denied a newspaper report claiming Force players had compiled a dossier of emails outlining their frustrations with the coach.
Fordham discussed the report with John Welborn, the Force's player representative on the Rugby WA board.
"John Welborn took the time to call me to say the report of a recent player meeting was distorted and very disappointing," Fordham said in a statement.
"He categorically denied that a dossier existed. Because of this, there is obviously no substance to the newspaper article's claim that a so-called dossier will be tabled at the next Rugby WA board meeting. John's assurances are in line with the advice John Mitchell received from two of the Force's senior players, vice-captain Matt Giteau and captain Nathan Sharpe."
Meanwhile, Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri has confirmed he will tour Hong Kong and Europe after recovering from minor knee surgery. Tuqiri was in doubt for the six-match tour and is still to be assessed by medical staff, but he feels the knee is coming good.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html