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Thread: Force on lookout for more top guns (Journo Speculation)

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    Force on lookout for more top guns (Journo Speculation)

    Nick Taylor, The West Australian September 1, 2012, 5:56 am



    Western Force director of coaching Michael Foley has at least two vacancies to fill as he builds for the 2013 Super Rugby season.

    The squad is evenly split with 14 forwards and 14 backs but there is a possibility more spots could become available.

    Foley already has five back- rowers but is looking for a mobile second-rower who can also fill the No.6 role and impose himself physically on a game.

    Two likely candidates are former Wallaby and Queensland Red Hugh McMeniman and former Reds, Brumbies and Wallaby tourist Mitchell Chapman. But both are contracted to Japanese clubs and are unlikely to be available until February.

    Foley is committed to developing players for the long term and Sydney University second-rower Ollie Atkins, who was called up for the Force's final three games last season, is on the radar.

    Foley also needs a new midfield strike weapon to help spark the back line outside new signings, halves Sias Ebershon and Alby Mathewson.

    "My focus is on getting the right people together," he said. "It is important for me to consider local talent then look nationally and where possible internationally.

    "Development has to be a focus, but we have to balance it with experience.

    "There are a number of club guys who are impressing, but we need senior guys around them."

    One of the current openings has been created because young scrum-half Justin Turner is already ruled out of next season. He re-injured his right knee playing for Eastwood in the Shute Shield and faces the third major operation on the knee in three years.

    Foley is hopeful of keeping local product Turner in the Force program.

    "He is a young guy with heaps of promise. We want to make sure we get him on his feet," he said.

    Foley is close to finalising his coaching team, after former Force foundation coach John Mulvihill turned down an offer to work under him.

    Meanwhile, Force winger Nick Cummins is in line for his Wallabies debut in front of his home crowd at Patersons Stadium in next Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against South Africa.

    Cummins and Reds winger Dom Shipperley will challenge for the spot left open by the Waratahs Drew Mitchell who is injured.

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    Immortal GIGS20's Avatar
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    Does anybody else like the things Foley is saying?
    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Foley
    "My focus is on getting the right people together," he said. "It is important for me to consider local talent then look nationally and where possible internationally.
    I'm a huge fan of this on two levels, first...he hasn't used the word local to include eastern staters, he's looking to get local players into the team, second the oder in which he's looking WA, ES then overseas....that will help rugby at all levels in our state
    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Foley
    "Development has to be a focus, but we have to balance it with experience.
    Add a little bit of caution to the equation
    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Foley
    "There are a number of club guys who are impressing, but we need senior guys around them."
    and most importantly RE: JT
    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Foley
    "He is a young guy with heaps of promise. We want to make sure we get him on his feet," he said.
    The reason he has been left out of the picture is due to a long term injury. Looking to get him back upright and into the team. That's putting his money where his mouth is re local talent!

    If he keeps going like this I'll be using his nockname before the end of pre-season.

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    C'mon the

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    Immortal Contributor shasta's Avatar
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    Cam Shepherd is no longer our biggest croc. WTF has JT done to earn such rotten luck. He's up there with Lachlan McKay :-(

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    Really like what Foley said. Really sorry for JT. I really hope he gives himself plenty of time until he gets it right.

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    Champion Contributor sandgroperrugby's Avatar
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    i was thinking maybe this bloke!

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    Generally speaking you aren’t learning much if your lips are moving!!!

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    Things starting to look Rosie in The Force garden !

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    Quote Originally Posted by Batto View Post
    Things starting to look Rosie in The Force garden !
    only names on paper at the mo Foley has some work ahead of him for sure... but yes some good positive stuff comin from HQ.

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    Immortal Contributor jono's Avatar
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    I'm still a bit skeptical. He's saying exactly what fans have been calling for. Is it lip service to get everyone onside from the start?

    I'll believe it when I see it happening TBH.

    I think it will be good if he keeps JT around while he rehabs again. Poor bastard cant catch a break, and it will be good for him to stay in the team environment I think.

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    Don't know whether this is all just speculation. Nick Taylor obviously spoke to Foley. At least it is not just "sauces". So what about a little speculation of our own. He says there are two spots open. One is JT. Speculate on the other. He also says there is a posibility more spots could become available. So who is for the chop? Let's speculate.

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    Quote Originally Posted by jono View Post
    I'm still a bit skeptical. He's saying exactly what fans have been calling for. Is it lip service to get everyone onside from the start?

    I'll believe it when I see it happening TBH.

    I think it will be good if he keeps JT around while he rehabs again. Poor bastard cant catch a break, and it will be good for him to stay in the team environment I think.
    Agreed. It's all hot air until they put it all together on the park. Talk is cheap.

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    Jeez, tough crowd!

    I'll take hearing the right things at this stage of the season.

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    Quote Originally Posted by jono View Post
    I'm still a bit skeptical. He's saying exactly what fans have been calling for. Is it lip service to get everyone onside from the start?

    I'll believe it when I see it happening TBH.

    I think it will be good if he keeps JT around while he rehabs again. Poor bastard cant catch a break, and it will be good for him to stay in the team environment I think.
    Could JT be part of the EPS and open up another spot in the main squad?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Burgs View Post
    Jeez, tough crowd!

    I'll take hearing the right things at this stage of the season.
    It is a reaction to the wallabies talking themsleves up and then failing to deliver.

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    Quote Originally Posted by WF2404 View Post
    Could JT be part of the EPS and open up another spot in the main squad?
    I think that is what is being said, from what I am reading I don't think he will be taking a Squad position in 2013.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Invictus View Post
    It is a reaction to the wallabies talking themsleves up and then failing to deliver.
    I can see how you can argue the link but I think an insight into Squad developments and recruiting ambitions is a little different to pre-match hype and media spin.

    At least the, "damn, we missed out on (insert big name)" talk has stopped.

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