Foley and Cheika talk down battle of coaches

[The InnFORCEr]

Nick Taylor,
The West Australian
March 27, 2013, 6:59 am

Coaches Michael Foley and Michael Cheika have played down the off-field rivalry before Sunday's Super Rugby clash between the Western Force and the Waratahs.

The match will be the first between the two sides since new Force coach Foley resigned from NSW last year, opening the door for Cheika.

Foley said he had drawn a line under last season and simply said "no" when asked if Sunday's game would have any extra feeling.

Cheika insisted the coaching battle was irrelevant but claimed Foley had inside knowledge that gave him an advantage.

"I'm sure he'll be using that in preparation for the game," Cheika said. "But there's no such thing as a coaching match-up. Players play the game - the coach just sits in there and stresses."

The Force have lost first-choice hooker Nathan Charles after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against the Cheetahs. Fly-half Sias Ebersohn and Pek Cowan, who were both under an injury cloud, trained yesterday.

"It looks like we've been a bit lucky," Foley said. "Nathan's injury is disappointing, the rest of the guys pulled up pretty well."

Heath Tessmann took Charles' place in the front row and Foley said he was happy with his display.

"I was pleased how Heath came on having not had a lot of game time and threw himself into the action," he said.

Foley may change his back row with Matt Hodgson and Ben McCalman coming into the starting side.

Cheika expects scrum-half Brendan McKibbin to recover from his shoulder injury and Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau to play.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...le-of-coaches/

[Flying 14]

Who will be dropped for Hodgo and Benny Mac to start? Surely not Alcock and Angus! Two of our best so far this season.
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[Stone Cold]

Who will be dropped for Hodgo and Benny Mac to start? Surely not Alcock and Angus! Two of our best so far this season.
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Alcock and Brown will make their way to the bench. They'll both get a run though.

[jt12]

brown, macca and Hoddo should start.

and get a kicker's coach for the back 4 please...

[Flying 14]

Alcock and Brown Dog have been in great form. Hope this is the right call from Foley. I can't wait for Easter Sunday! And it's not for the Easter Eggs...
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[WFDom]

Nick Taylor,
The West Australian
March 27, 2013, 6:59 am

Coaches Michael Foley and Michael Cheika have played down the off-field rivalry before Sunday's Super Rugby clash between the Western Force and the Waratahs.

Bullshit! It's on!!!!!!!

[Alison]

Bullshit! It's on!!!!!!!

Like Donkey Kong!!!

Btw, anyone see Hodgo's column in The West today? Very contrite about last Sat's performance!

[hertryk]

I will see if I can find a paper.... Alison I'm soo darned excited... bring on the weekend...
I am so disappointed I couldn't leave on the morning plane... Work definitely interferes with my social life...

[jargan83]

Work definitely interferes with my social life...

I think that applies to most people

[SNOB]

brown, macca and Hoddo should start.

and get a kicker's coach for the back 4 please...

When I was a youngster, back when God was just a child, we were not allowed to wear boots for most of our training, and nobody wanted to kick one of those old heavy balls bare footed.
Could be the cure!

[Alison]

I think that applies to most people

I have done some major shifting of the work/life balance recently and now make sure I have at least 12 weeks' leave a year. It's completely transformed my life!!

[jargan83]

I have done some major shifting of the work/life balance recently and now make sure I have at least 12 weeks' leave a year. It's completely transformed my life!!

I'm owed about 72 days annual leave by my employer

Mostly because I only take a week a year when I'm entitled to four

[Buddha Handy]

brown, macca and Hoddo should start.

and get a kicker's coach for the back 4 please...

The back row is a tough one, we have so much depth there but less elsewhere obviously. Alcock and Cottrell have been outstanding and Browny seems to be coming back in to some good form. Personally I would keep the same backrow as last week. Maybe a second row of MMM and McCalman

[palitu]

Who will be dropped for Hodgo and Benny Mac to start? Surely not Alcock and Angus! Two of our best so far this season.
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It said

Foley may change his back row with Matt Hodgson and Ben McCalman coming into the starting side.

As in, it is probably just a filler line by Nick Taylor.

[GAFFA]

the only way i can see the backrow changing is if they want to give Angus a rest so he doesnt get burnt out but i doubt he would be keen for that.