Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Force have new plans for recruit

  1. #1
    Immortal Contributor
    Moderator
    travelling_gerry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia, Australia
    Posts
    18,483
    vCash
    5062000

    Force have new plans for recruit

    Force have new plans for recruit

    NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian November 10, 2010, 9:32 am

    Enlarge photo




    The Western Force have signed former NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies flyer Alfi Mafi - but interestingly head coach Richard Graham is looking at bringing him off the wing.
    Mafi played his early representative rugby in the centres and it was only when he moved to the 'Tahs that he was seen as a winger.
    The Tongan-born 22-year-old, who broke his ankle in 2008 and again last year, was given the all clear yesterday after spending the past week going through a tough fitness programme with Force medical staff.
    Graham is keen to develop the 86kg Mafi, who has represented Australia at Schools, Under 19 and Sevens level, into a centrefield line breaker.
    "I'm looking at playing him at 12. We want to see if we can develop his skills as an inside centre" Graham said.
    "He brings genuine speed but also an ability to beat the first offender every time he carries.
    "He's very dynamic in contact and has the ability to get behind the gain line.
    "I know what he brings as a winger but I think he has qualities as an inside centre."
    Graham was not concerned that injuries had restricted Mafi's time in Super rugby.
    "They were injuries that came because of the nature of the way he plays," Graham said.
    "It was important for us to know he was genuine and he has demonstrated that he's very motivated.
    "He's come to us in outstanding condition physically and I believe he'll have a great impact."
    Mafi, a former South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league junior, has signed a one year deal with a second year option and has no concerns about a positional switch.
    "I played all my junior rugby and rugby league in the centres," he said.
    "When I went to the 'Tahs they said I was too skinny to play in the centre and they put me on the wing.
    "I'm certainly hoping to get a run at inside centre and get involved in the game.
    "I like the physical side of the game, it's all a bit of fun.
    "It shouldn't be too hard to pick it up again but maybe I'll need a few lessons on my kicking game."
    Meanwhile the Force are still waiting to finalise a deal with former Hurricanes winger David Smith to replace Scott Staniforth who was forced to retire after a third serious neck injury.
    Smith, who has represented New Zealand at the IRB Sevens, would initially be a one-year signing as the club's overseas marquee player.

    http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...s-for-recruit/

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  2. #2
    Senior Player Hoolly Doolly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Karratha WA
    Posts
    998
    vCash
    5000000
    David Smith deal could be interesting. Def rate him higher then Anesi.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  3. #3
    Legend Court Reporter
    Contributor
    James's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Bridgetown, WA
    Posts
    6,103
    vCash
    20000
    Interesting. I'd have said Mafi was too light weight for 12 but maybe Graham wants to keep the pace quick and have Pocock/Brown/Hodgson/McCalman run the legs off the opposition. I'd wager that JO'C is going to be looked at as a 15/back-up 10 for the season then.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.

  4. #4
    Senior Player Hoolly Doolly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Karratha WA
    Posts
    998
    vCash
    5000000
    15 Cameron Shepherd
    14 David Smith
    13 Mitch Inman
    12 James O'Connor
    11 Nick Cummins
    10 Willie Ripia
    09 James Stannard/Brett Sheehan Depends on Conditions and opponents.

    Liking the look of this backline!

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  5. #5
    Veteran zimeric's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Mandurah
    Posts
    3,128
    vCash
    5000000
    The pack aint bad either, still a concerning hole in the locks but we have adequate options there I suppose
    Posted via Mobile Device

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  6. #6
    Champion
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    perth
    Posts
    1,436
    vCash
    5000000
    Quote Originally Posted by Haji View Post
    15 Cameron Shepherd
    14 David Smith
    13 Mitch Inman
    12 James O'Connor
    11 Nick Cummins
    10 Willie Ripia
    09 James Stannard/Brett Sheehan Depends on Conditions and opponents.

    Liking the look of this backline!
    WE ARE STARTING TO GET A GOOD TEAM ON PAPER AYE great depth which is what we have been lacking

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  7. #7
    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Rockingham
    Posts
    20,508
    vCash
    1296000
    Or 15 Cameron Shepherd
    14 James O'Connor
    13 Mitch Inman
    12 Alfi Mafi
    11 Nick Cummins
    10 Willie Ripia
    9 any one of four possibles, as haji said depending on conditions and opponents.

    This is how Dick is saying they'll line up in the press. It could all be smoke n mirrors, I can't see the improvement myself, but I guess it saves us a marquee and it's not like rabbit is a bad winger!
    Posted via Mobile Device

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

Similar Threads

  1. Force Go Down in Season Finale
    By Darren in forum Front Page News
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 15-05-10, 18:37
  2. LESSONS FOR THE FORCE IN OPENING TRIAL
    By RugbyWA in forum Western Force
    Replies: 49
    Last Post: 26-01-10, 23:21
  3. EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE FINISH SEASON WITH EMOTIONAL WIN
    By RugbyWA in forum Front Page News
    Replies: 47
    Last Post: 18-05-09, 20:36
  4. Force field around John Mitchell fading
    By jargan83 in forum Western Force
    Replies: 49
    Last Post: 21-02-09, 18:07
  5. Force Still Unbeaten against Cheetahs
    By Darren in forum Front Page News
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 21-02-09, 12:34

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •