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SCOTT Staniforth is suffering the frustration of the long-distance spectator, watching from afar as his team experiences the highs and lows of rugby.
There were the celebrations in Canberra, and then there was the crash and burn of Hamilton on Friday.
And it has the powerhouse runner champing at the bit.
Staniforth, arguably one of Australia's most underrated players - except at the Force - is desperate to show he is ready for a comeback from knee surgery and that he has lost none of his hard running and tough defence.
He lined up with his old Sydney club Eastwood in a pre-season trial yesterday to improve his match fitness.
Staniforth has had three operations for left knee cartilage problems since the start of last year. The last, and least serious, came after the knee flared during the Force's off-season UK tour.
This time he took a slow and steady option, admitting he tried to get back too early from the previous problems.
The Force fans' favourite played a 12-minute cameo role off the bench in the Round 2 win against the Cheetahs and is now ready for a full game.
"I know in myself I'm ready to go. It's frustrating not being there with the boys," he said. "I've just got to put my head down, keep training and hope I can break back into the side."
Staniforth is earmarked for a wing berth this season, but knows that will not be easy with players such as Cameron Shepherd, Nick Cummins and Drew Mitchell already challenging for the two spots.
He enjoys the centre role given to him by Force coach John Mitchell, but there is just as much competition in the midfield from the likes of Junior Pelesasa, Ryan Cross and James O'Connor.
"I like playing in the centre, being closer to the action where you need to be able to read the game and where an older head helps," he said.
"But I'd even pack down in the scrum if they asked me if it meant getting on the paddock."
Staniforth, who needs eight more caps to bring up his Super rugby century, made one of the great comebacks to Australian rugby when he joined the Force.
He was in the 1999 Wallaby World Cup squad, but quit Australia to play with London Irish in England after three Tests and 61 Super games for the Waratahs.
The move to London Irish revitalised his thirst for rugby but, after his third child was born, Staniforth and wife Emma decided to return to Australia - and the Force had been smart enough to keep the last spot in its inaugural squad open for him.
He scored nine tries in that first year - including the five-pointer that sealed the historic first Super 14 win, 16-14, over the Cheetahs in South Africa - and won the club's Player of the Year.
So impressive was Staniforth, Wallabies selectors could not ignore his ability to play in the centre or on the wing and he was back in the national squad.
But his 2007 World Cup came to an end when he injured a shoulder in his first touch in the 55-12 victory over Fiji.
http://www.news.com.au:80/perthnow/s...005401,00.html
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Originally Posted by benny
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