The Western Force still searching for a quality playmaker

[GIGS20]

Too much of a kicker. We don't have a marquee spot. This year will be making the best with what we have got. Force should angle for Matt Toomua when the wheels fall off the Brumbies this season.

I wouldn't mind us using our development slot for a good overseas 10. Let's face it the Wallabies aren't exactly flush with tippy top number tens, Quade is fragile, Berrick is unused and who else is there?

I don't have a problem with waiting to see how Chuck goes and looking to solve any other problem which crops up mid season.

[palitu]

quade will never get injured, he doesn't ever get into contact

[GIGS20]

quade will never get injured, he doesn't ever get into contact

Sorry Palitu, I was saying mentally fragile, not physically....shoulda spelled that out better

[zimeric]

article in the worst today mentioned the force are in no hurry to recruit a playmaker and that a decision will only be made after Chucky and Ben Seymour are assessed in the trials next month.

[Burgs]

If either of them step up, it may not even be a "playmaker" they recruit...

[James]

I wouldn't mind us using our development slot for a good overseas 10. Let's face it the Wallabies aren't exactly flush with tippy top number tens, Quade is fragile, Berrick is unused and who else is there?

I don't have a problem with waiting to see how Chuck goes and looking to solve any other problem which crops up mid season.

The problem with having 5 Super Rugby teams is that only 30 players of that 150 are going to make the Wallabies. Basically meaning that the other 120 need to be either young enough that they could develop into being a Wallaby or old enough that they are settled and don't want to leave Australia even though national honours are at stake. Otherwise it is hard to hold onto a player just under international quality when more money is on offer overseas. Each Super rugby team needs at least one established 2, 7, 9, 10 and one who is developing and can cover for injuries. Without more foreign marquee allowances we just don't have enough players to cover that. I would only value a foreign development 10 where a good succession plan, say to Kyle Godwin, is set up or in the case of the Force this year where Ripia was second in line behind Stannard. It's hard to build a game plan around a 10 who isn't committed to a team because each 10 has very different skill sets.

[Blackswan]

I have it on good authority that the Force have now identified the solution to the fly-half issue. They were advised at last Friday's lunch function that they should contact the outside half factory in Wales. Richard Graham would be grateful if anyone with the 'phone number would pass it on to him.

[Rex Messup]

The problem with having 5 Super Rugby teams is that only 30 players of that 150 are going to make the Wallabies. Basically meaning that the other 120 need to be either young enough that they could develop into being a Wallaby or old enough that they are settled and don't want to leave Australia even though national honours are at stake. Otherwise it is hard to hold onto a player just under international quality when more money is on offer overseas. Each Super rugby team needs at least one established 2, 7, 9, 10 and one who is developing and can cover for injuries. Without more foreign marquee allowances we just don't have enough players to cover that. I would only value a foreign development 10 where a good succession plan, say to Kyle Godwin, is set up or in the case of the Force this year where Ripia was second in line behind Stannard. It's hard to build a game plan around a 10 who isn't committed to a team because each 10 has very different skill sets.

Thank goodness we have 5 teams now. There is a pathway for junior talent in this country and they don't have to go and play mini league to play professional sport.

The Force needs to develop some junior talent rather than hiring a foreign import. Foreign imports are a massive thrashw@nk and a blight on Australian rugby

[travelling_gerry]

Australian Craig Wing does not fit the criteria as an import
BY: BRET HARRIS From: The Australian January 27, 2012 12:00AM
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THE Western Force's chances of securing former rugby league star Craig Wing are not necessarily dead in the water.

The Force is searching for a replacement for New Zealander Willie Ripia, who resigned last month after being confronted with evidence he had allegedly stolen money from teammates.

Given that uncontracted quality five-eighths are as rare as pandas, the Force made inquiries about Wing, who has been playing number 10 and fullback for Japanese club NTT Shining Arcs for the past two years.

Earlier in the week, however, Force coach Richard Graham was quoted that a "stipulation" in Wing's Japanese contract would prevent him joining the Super Rugby franchise.

Wing, who has a Filipino mother, plays in Japan on an Asian passport, which means he is not subject to the restrictions placed on foreign players.


For Wing to play in Australia as a local, he would have to relinquish this status, which is something he would be loath to do.

So while Wing was born in Sydney and represented NSW and Australia in rugby league, he would be ineligible to play for the Force as an Australian.

The Force would have to recruit Wing as a foreigner, but he does not fulfill the requirements of the ARU's import policy.

Australia's Super Rugby teams can recruit two foreign players, although the Melbourne Rebels, were s permitted to sign 10 imports to prevent their entry having a negative impact on the other franchises.

There are two categories of import -- marquee and emerging. The marquee import is a player who has played Test rugby for another country, while the emerging import can qualify to play for the Wallabies after a three-year residency.

Wing does not fit into either category.

He is not, technically speaking, a marquee import and the Force already has one anyway, Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga.

At 32, Wing would not be classified as an emerging talent.

The Force could ask the ARU to grant them an exemption in Wing's case and allow them to sign him as its second import on secondment from Japan.

This would allow Wing to play in Australia for a season and return to Japan, where he is poised to sign a contract with a new club.

The Force is still scouring the globe for another emerging foreign player, but it is highly unlikely it will come up with someone as good as Wing, despite his relative inexperience as a rugby player.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226254728726

[shasta]

"BY: BRET HARRIS From: The Australian"

Say no more. Another slow news day.

For the record; anyone know if Kyle Godwin is fit and getting a full pre-season?
Posted via Mobile Device

[GIGS20]

The Force is still scouring the globe for another emerging foreign player, but it is highly unlikely it will come up with someone as good as Wing, despite his relative inexperience as a rugby player.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226254728726

ummm, Chucky Stannard has to be at least an equal, given that he's actually played well in the toughest provincial rugby tournament in the world.

[Sheikh]

Craig Wing stories:

Sydney papers talking up Sydney born player, whilst trying to stir things up in Perth.

Nothing to see here - move along

[jt12]

Chucky was always a #10 and as he has proven when finally given the chance is a very good one; Mitchell tried to change him into a #9.He won a PG hampshire playing at #10 . Palying #10 in NZ is an acid test - the Chuck man passed with flying colours.

Why don't we just develop young Goodwin and Seymour - why do we keep picking "promising, potentially good, developmental " players and then do exactly the opposite with them.
We don't need a marquee #10, go for another good prop - you can never have enough of those guys,and in the big games that's where it is won

[RumourMonger]

Well said Jt12.

Saw Kyle the other day and he is a unit. Physically strong and with the right opportunities (and a bit of luck with injury) he will be a top player.

Another former Pally player young Kyle.

[brokendown gunfighter]

I notice former 'cannes & blues player jimmy Gospperth"s contract with the Newcastle Falcons contract expires this season.His old man lives in Perth---wonder if he has become an Australian citizen,would make Jimmy Eligible wouldn't it?