0
Give Gits and the boys time: Mitch
Thursday, January 25, 2007
c/o Rugby Heaven
Coach John Mitchell has cautioned Western Force fans not to expect too much, too soon from million dollar recruit Matt Giteau.
The lightning-quick Wallabies star last year joined the Perth side from the Brumbies on a three-year deal that made him the highest paid player in Australia.
He has his first outing for the Force Thursday night against Manu Samoa in the final trial match ahead of the Super 14 competition, joining fellow star back signings Drew Mitchell and league convert Ryan Cross.
But Mitchell, whose side finished last in its Super 14 debut last year, said that one man didn't make a backline, and it would take time for his new-look ensemble to gel.
"This game is all about being a team ... this backline is going to need time together," Mitchell said.
"We want to obviously get accuracy immediately but it is going take time.
"This backline is going to have to learn and get familiar with each other."
Under the Wallabies' Restricted Training Activity (RTA) agreement, Giteau and Force skipper and Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe are allowed to play only the last 40 minutes of the team's trial game at Members Equity Stadium.
James Hilgendorf, who has been left out of the squad for the Manu Samoa game, and Scott Daruda are currently front-runners to start at five-eighth this season.
Mitchell has been adamant (well, used to be adamant, has softened since the Tour!) Giteau will play inside centre despite a fairly successful experiment at halfback for the Wallabies on their European tour, and Matt Henjak will start at No.9.
However with another Wallaby, Scott Staniforth, and Junior Pelesasa also able to wear the No.12 jersey, the coach must be tempted to try the versatile Giteau in the main playmaker's role at five eighth at some stage this season.
That would ensure room for Digby Ioane, who impressed last season and in the Force's opening trial against the Crusaders last week, to fill one wing position with Mitchell on the other.
Mitchell is relishing the prospect of much-needed extra backline depth to supplement his competitive forward pack.
"With this years combination of people we can probably look at putting out two particular backline combinations based on what the opposition offer or what we want to get out of the game," said Mitchell.
Staniforth has also been left out of the Samoa clash as he continues his recovery from an abductor injury, however he is expected to be fit for the Force's opening Super 14 round against the Highlanders on February 2.
Mitchell was pleased with the opening half of his side's 28-12 loss to the champion Crusaders in Melbourne last week, although they faded toward the end of the match.
He said he was expecting another physical encounter against the Samoans, despite their recent 31-3 loss to Queensland.
"By the time we get to the Highlanders game just about everyone in the squad will have had some competition football," Mitchell said.
"Last week was very, very good for us.
"The first 20 minutes was outstanding we just have to sustain that performance for a lot longer this week."
Western Force squad for Samoa match:
Forwards: AJ Whalley, Angus Scott, Brendan Cannon, Pek Cowan, David Pocock, David Pusey, Gareth Hardy, Luke Doherty, Luke Holmes, Matt Hodgson, Matt Windle, Nathan Sharpe (c), Richard Brown, Rudi Vedelago, Scott Fava, Troy Takiari.
Backs: Brett Stapleton, Cameron Shepherd, Chris O'Young, Digby Ioane, Drew Mitchell, Haig Sare, James Stannard, Junior Pelesasa, Matt Giteau, Matt Henjak, Ryan Cross, Scott Daruda
AAP