FAIRBROTHER AND DUNNING READY TO ADD TO FORCE FRONT ROW

[RugbyWA]

Former prop rivals Matt Dunning and Tim Fairbrother are looking to now team together and give the Emirates Western Force a super strong pack in the 2010 Investec Super 14 season.

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[GIGS20]

"Mitch is an uncompromising coach and was an uncompromising player, and I've had a few of those types of coaches and I'm looking forward to it. He was coaching the All Blacks when I was in New Zealand so I've seen how he coaches."

Looks like the match committee will take a slightly different approach this year.

"What's that sweetheart, don't like what the coach says?............... Harden up and stop playing like a handbag!"

[James]

I think this season will answer a lot about whether its forwards or backs that win games. We go from an all Wallaby backline with a couple in the pack to practically an all Wallaby pack with a couple in the backline.

[mudskipper]

Now to score a good hooker and an extra lock and the Force have a good pack...

[James]

Now to score a good hooker and an extra lock and the Force have a good pack...

Why would we want a good pack when we've already got a great pack?

[mudskipper]

Why would we want a good pack when we've already got a great pack?

James... a good small pack... but industrious... need a big lock at 115kgs... your got force glasses on again... Mitchell said he was looking for a lock... I think he feels he is going to get the Tahs academy Hooker, but no news yet...

[Goldmember]

This is great news! When does Lote's contract expire?

[Sheikh]

If we get the hooker we've been after (Fitzpatrick?), and we've got Whittaker, who looked good enough that the Force could release Holmes, I think we're sorted at hooker. Neither is quite up to Tai, but both could be given a season or two.

Basically, if we've lost 10 players from last year's squad, we need 10 replacements. But with the exception of hooker and fly we've not lost anyone who didn't have a back-up with significant game time. Pretorius gives us a solid, but ageing fly, and a young guy needs to be groomed to be brought through.

Pack the remaining spots with guys that the Brumbies have had to let go due to their recruitment over-drive and stand-outs from the U20 championships.

The Force can keep their (well-earned) reputation for developing Wallabies and the eastern coast teams can STFU.

[travelling_gerry]

Great pic in The West of Fairbrother at training yesterday.

Looks good in ocean blue.

Geez he's a big unit.

[robyn <3]

Sigh. Hurry up Feb next year!! Muddy we have a really fantastic looking pack at the moment. We have Sharpie, Hockings, O'Connor and Wykes who weigh 113kg, 112kg, 114kg and 109kg (I checked). I'm not sure why Mitch is looking for a lock, because I think these 4 blokes have got it pretty much covered. I'd think perhaps a hooker, an outside back and a flyhalf and we are good to go!

Wow Tim is a big guy!

[James]

I think Pat O'Connor has moved on. We haven't seen him play since the second round of this year. A shame but if you have double knee surgery its bound to screw up your rugby career. We still have four potential locks though- Sharpie, Hockings, Wykes and Stanford. All around or above 110kgs. I think it would be better to move someone like Tom Murday or Brent Murphy, who have been in the Force academy, as an apprentice. They may not be the biggest pack but we will have a much better scrum next year, our line-out should remain reliable and our backrow combinations are developing very nicely.