Spanner Back with the Force!

[Darren]

2006 Western Force and TWF player of the year, Scott Staniforth has signed a short term contract with the Western Force which could see him playing as soon as this week against the Chiefs.

The Force have also signed ex All Black (under John Mitchell) and 2009 Japanese player of the year, David Hill to take over the playmaker role left vacant by Andre Pretorius' season ending injury.

The Westerm Force's injury list is also looking to clear a little with Cross and Bartholomeusz expected to be available for teh Chiefs clash this weekend.

[travelling_gerry]

Hill, Staniforth boost depleted Force

The Western Force have snared former All Blacks playmaker David Hill as a replacement for injured signing Andre Pretorius.

And they have re-signed 2006 player-of-the-year Scott Staniforth on a short-term contract to help ease the injury crisis.

The Force have been in delicate negotiations with Hill and his Japanese club Toshiba for the past week since the Australian Rugby Union gave them dispensation to recruit another overseas player.

They have been desperate to fill the fly-half role after Pretorius was ruled out for the season and back-up Mark Bartholomeusz injured his back.

Stand-in pivot Sam Harris has been far from successful at No. 10 and Hill will ease the burden on teenager James O'Connor, who was used in a dual role as full-back in defence and playmaker on attack in the 47-22 loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday.
Hill will return to Japan at the end of the season and Staniforth has signed initially for four games while players such as Cameron Shepherd recover from injury.

Speaking from Japan last night, Hill said the past two weeks had been "pretty crazy" since receiving a phone call from Force head coach John Mitchell.

"It's been an interesting couple of weeks," Hill said. "Pretty crazy.

"It's a unique situation for me and a real challenge but I'm looking forward to it.
"I'm hoping to get to Perth by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest, as soon as I can arrange my flights."

Hill, 31, last year's Japanese player of the year, is already well known to Mitchell, who coached him with the All Blacks and at Waikato, where he played until 2006.

He could make his Force debut against the Chiefs at ME Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Hill played his early rugby at full-back for Marlborough and Southland and joined Waikato in 2001. He made the All Blacks on that year's tour of Ireland, Scotland and Argentina.

He played the midweek games against Ireland A and Scotland A, and made a surprise return to the NZ squad in 2006, coming on as a substitute against Ireland. He also played in the Junior All Blacks and NZ Maori.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...epleted-force/

[zimeric]

can i swear???


Fcu& YEAh!!!

[Garfiep]

Spanner back - yeah ha!

[tragic]

*does a little happy dance*

[Burgs]

Does a little jig next to Tragic...

Awesome news re Spanner, doubled by the news on Hill with his previous knowledge of Mitch!

Force by 12 this Saturday.

[GIGS20]

NOW we're cookin'

Let's just make sure we've got the rest of the squad good and fit shall we?

Notably, Spanner's only signed for four weeks pending the return of Cam (which will see us through to the return of the Cullet as well! Does that mean he's being seen as primarily an outside back? I'd say he's far more valuable in our midfield right now!

[sandgroperrugby]

HAHAHHAHAHHA

Two ex Mitchell coached players coming back to play in his team!!! So does that mean that all the drivel coming out of the East about how Mitchell scares off players is crap!!!

Awesome news now to get the season back on track.

That article headline should read:
Perennial Favourite Returns to the Force

[jombi]

*does 50 flips*

Bloody fantastic news!

[Fullback]

Niiiiiice!

Maybe Mitch's hints to the ARU cleared some obstructions.

Finally some good news for the Force, a great change from the usual this season.

[Skiza]

Great news!! The season's starting to look up again.

[zimeric]

Force by 50 on Saturday!!!

[GIGS20]

Force by 50 on Saturday!!!

Yep....Sivivatu's out, only to be replaced by that mug Masaga

[WF2404]

virtual drinks all round!!

It doesn't get sweeter than this!!! Welcome home Spanner!!

I feel like we're a team again... there is something from a club culture point of view than Staniforth brings. I feel like it we can be a star team with his inclusion - rather than a team of stars - as I've said in previousl post!

Oh and I did manage to get his signature on at his last match - had to fight my way through all the members hurling abuse at drew!

But why the casual contract??? Comon guys were's the loyalty... Initially 4 weeks?? Hell I want to see him play at 12 for the whole bloody year!!

No pressure - but we're definitely in the finals now!!!

I've had my avatar as spanner for ages and now reason to change that now!! Loved Sheehan's chatter with the ref on the weekend too. Hopefully the old dogs will teach the young pups and few new tricks!!

Go the Force!!!

[Darren]

Playing in Japan would keep you fit, but would be mich kinder on the body than Super 14.. Spanner still has his deserved retirement fund in the 'east', I think this is more of a something to do while back in Perth in with his family during the off season. The fewer games he plays, the less risk of injury (so he can continue in Japan afterwards?) and the more time he gets to spend with the wife and kids.