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Honest Brown's Force appraisal
By RugbyWA Media
Richard Brown
He’s no nonsense on the field and doesn’t talk nonsense off it.
By his own admission he doesn’t suffer fools and generally Emirates Western Force back-rower Richard Brown says what he means and means what he says.
Therefore any question asked of Brown will invariably receive an honest – often very honest – response.
While he remains one of the three players – along with Club Captain Matt Hodgson and front-rower Pek Cowan – to remain at the club since its inception, he’s very positive towards the changes that have swept the Emirates Western Force over the past four months.
“The changes have been very refreshing,” he said. “They’ve been a long time coming and I think the club needed to make the changes that it has. To the Board’s credit, they didn’t hold back with them whereas they may have in the past; they acted with conviction and I think the club is in a much better position now than it ever has been.”
The decisions off the field have Brown optimistic about what can be achieved on it.
Armed with a new coaching staff, new-look backline and overhauled rugby program, the 23-time Wallaby is confident of an improved showing from his side in 2013.
“We’re a country mile ahead of where we were this time last year, as far as being prepared to play rugby goes,” he said. “If we had to play tomorrow, we could run out a team that would play well, compared to some of our performances last year.”
And the change hasn’t been limited to the team.
While still managing 13 matches for his province in 2012, the hard-nosed forward wrestled with the hangover from off-season surgery throughout the year.
However, Brown says he’s virtually overcome the lingering effects from the double shoulder reconstruction he received following the 2011 season.
“I was playing games where I couldn’t do 10 push-ups, I was that weak. Combined with lack of pre-season and no games under my belt, I came into the season with a lack of match fitness. It was without doubt my poorest season to date.
“As far as strength and fitness goes, I’m almost back to where I was pre-surgery and that’s due to a combination of the good work that [Head of Athletic Performance] Dave Joyce has been doing and also the way we’ve been preparing. Everything is very game specific and the program has not only been very refreshing but it’s been very practical too.”
Having now played in 75 matches of the Emirates Western Force’s 97 matches over the past seven seasons, Brown is looking forward to lacing up the boots again as one of the club’s original representatives.
“’Survivor’ is one term you could use as there’s been a lot of testing periods between the beginning and now – but I’d do it all over again,” he said. “Being here from the start with this group, that is quite young and fresh, I don’t feel any older… maybe a little wiser.”
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Originally Posted by PeterM
