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Nick Taylor, The West Australian
December 17, 2011, 11:13 am
Western Force hooker Ben Whittaker will continue a six-year rivalry when the 2012 Super season kicks off in February - with his own teammate and fellow No.2 Nathan Charles.
The pair first faced off as 16-year-olds in the Sydney CAS competition for Knox Grammar and Barker College and both battled for the NSW age group hooker spot.
It is a healthy rivalry with his good mate Charles that the 22-year-old Whittaker is relishing.
"It's very much a challenge but it can only be good for me as a player and for the team," Whittaker said.
"He is very much my competitor for that No.2 position and it keeps me very much on my toes and that's what you want in a professional environment. You never want to be comfortable and Nathan is a very good player who makes sure I stay honest in my training and that is going to make me a better player."
Force forwards coach Nick Stiles has been working on lifting the powerful Whittaker's work close to the ruck for next year.
"I enjoy getting my hands on the ball and I enjoy running with the ball, but Nick has said the role for me is definitely in a tighter position," he said.
"My role this year is to play tight, high energy amongst the front-rowers and assert myself in the pick-and-go and one off the ruck."
Too often last year the Force were guilty of turnovers or basic errors after getting themselves into good attacking positions. It is clear that has been a focus of coach Richard Graham's pre-season training.
"We have set our standards very high in terms of not accepting mediocrity," Whittaker said.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...taker-on-toes/
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Originally Posted by brokendown gunfighter
