Force look to shore up squad for the future

[wholetruth]

Some interesting snippets in this

Nick Taylor The West Australian
June 2, 2014, 6:51 am

The Western Force have three weeks to ponder the immediate challenge of a maiden Super Rugby finals berth, but it is also an important period as they look to the future.

While contract negotiations have been ongoing, the break for the Wallabies Test series against France gives the club a chance to tie up deals and enter discussions with potential new recruits.

The Force had 12 players out of contract at the end of the season, but have signed or reached agreement with about half of them.

They are poised to announce back-rower Angus Cottrell, who will see a specialist in Brisbane today after breaking his left leg in Friday's 30-7 thumping from the Crusaders, and winger Dane Haylett-Petty have renewed their deals.

High on the retention list are foundation prop Pek Cowan, fly-half Sias Ebersohn and full-back Jayden Hayward.

Coach Michael Foley will need a replacement for back-rower Hugh McMeniman, who is returning to Japan.

Out-of-contract Queensland flankers Jake Schatz and Ed Quirk have shown interest in heading to WA, but Foley may look overseas.

Two other Reds, flier Rod Davies and back line "Mr Fix-it" Ben Lucas, are also said to be interested in a move west.

The loss of tighthead prop Kieran Longbottom, who surprisingly signed a huge deal with English club Saracens while on the verge of Wallabies selection, is a big blow.

Foley has a number of younger front-rowers, but one possibility is moving current loosehead Tetera Faulkner back to the other side of the scrum where he started games last year.

In one of the tightest competitions in Super Rugby history, 10 sides are still in top six and finals contention.

The Force are well placed for a charge in seventh spot, despite the loss to the Crusaders.

Winning their last three games against the Blues and Reds at home and the Brumbies in Canberra would guarantee them a place.

Two wins, preferably with at least one bonus point, would just about book their post-season berth.

Meanwhile, SANZAR will not investigate an apparent shoulder charge by All Blacks captain Richie McCaw on Force flanker Brynard Stander on Friday.

[UNCLE BOOG]

what I take out of that article:

People want to come West, we are an attractive option (and the Reds are quite the opposite) but Foles ultimately gets to make the choice, rather than grovelling to all and sundry for players.

which in turn, makes me happy.

[MI5_Dog]

The exodus from the Reds begins, but I would prefer to see the West Aussies in the extended playing squad rewarded than sign people from a sinking ship.
Good news about the number of people re-signings though.

[Herbasimplex]

Quirk maybe a good pickup for 6 depending on cost, think schatz at 8 has been the reds problem in the backrow, but stander is really cottrell's backup in 6.

would want a specialist 8 signed as we have coverage in 6 & 7, in the mould of Jacques Englebrect or Willem Alberts.

Would have to think battye would be gone as well, so that opens up 2 lock spots. Think i said in another thread de Jager and Botha at the stormers would be good buys for the future.

seems like everyone at the reds is exploring other options - "the graham effect".

[jono]

Lucas would be a good buy. Not too sure who he would replace though

[shasta]

The exodus from the Reds begins, but I would prefer to see the West Aussies in the extended playing squad rewarded than sign people from a sinking ship.

Amen to that. With Burton and three others in the Jr RWC that is an absolute priority. R H-P could be a future lock/6. Vital for these blokes to get game time in the NRC - which seems to be operating from he Cone of Silence.

[Alison]

Totally agree that we should look to build our squad from within WA first and foremost. We are just on the cusp of having a squad bristling with local talent and guys who have made WA their home and who have been loyal to the Force from the day they arrived. That makes me happier than any finals berth right now.

Tet Faulkner would be a great replacement for Kieran imo. He is committed, principled and exactly the type of man that fits into the culture that Foley and Hodgo have been building.

[Sheikh]

Chatted to Foley after the Cheetahs match, but didn't get to talk about the NRC; I agree it should be used to blood young players, not just keep Super Rugby, but not Wallaby, players match-fit. We've a number of younger guys who deserve some starts (Hoskins, Tet, Coleman, Stander, Burton, etc) and a few who need matches (eg, Chris Alcock, Morahan) but IIRC the Spirit can only have 15 Super Rugby players, the others have to be surrendered to the other NRC teams back east.

I'm sure RWA will ask those who want to head east (to see family or travel a bit) to put their hands up and ask who else wants time off (to heal up, or simply to take a break!) With the lost Wallabies (maybe only 3-4 though) that should give us the 15. Then I'd like to promote from within Perth rather than recruit from the Shute Shield, unless they can find a real bolter.

For next season, though, I'd look to see a couple more Saffas join - young guys not getting their break over there but who can see the likes of Elbesohn, Steenkamp, Stander and Brache getting game time. They all seem to buy into the Force 'no-dickheads' culture.

Anyone know what's up with Manu, Battye and Stubbs? They seem to have dropped so far down the pecking order that we're giving WTG players games ahead of full-time pros.

[sandgroperrugby]

Lucas is good because he covers soooo many positions in the backline. He does it with aplomb as well, but where would he go and who would he replace. Maybe sias or Jayden if they don't sign. Hope they do because they are really key for us at the moment. I wouldn't touch rocket rod to many injuries.

[James]

Interest from Lucas is good. I'd prefer who we have at the moment, but if Sias or Jayden go it's nice to know there are equally good options. I think Cowan will stay. Last time he signed on for three years. He's now back in the Wallaby squad a year out from a world cup and in a team that is winning. Even if he only signs on for another year it would be worth it.

Not at all interested in the Reds backrowers. They are in exactly the same mould as the guys we already have.

Never been a big fan of Davies, but we'll have space in the outside backs and he would provide depth. I certainly wouldn't start him over Morahan and Cummins.

[Pitythefool]

Great to see DHP resign as he is really hitting his straps now. The standout back against the Crusaders and growing into the Force with every game. Would not mind seeing him in at 13 which he seemed to cover when Dellit went walkabout for about 83 mins.

[WFDom]

Back line is looking pretty setted now. Between Hayward, DHP, Badge & Mozza we're looking good. I like Lucas, but I can't imagine he'd want to come over and warm the pine.

I thought I read somewhere before RHP was a 2nd row'er? I see he's playing 8 for Australia. Surely he'll be worth a shout, put him under big doggy's wing

The only thing I'm interested about with Shatz & Quirk is seeing them get smashed on the 5th of July. Back row is not a weak point for us at present & will be further strengthened by Alcock when he returns.

[jargan83]

Schatz can stay in Qld, had a heart the size of a pea

[Hoolly Doolly]

things must be pretty bad if lucas is considering leaving queensland. always rated him at flyhalf and felt he was wasted moving him to 9 and 15. he is pretty injury prone though, probably because of his fearless will to put his smaller frame on the line. not particularly interested in the queensland loosies though.

[G_Beard]

seems like everyone at the reds is exploring other options - "the graham effect".[/QUOTE]

Let's make it fully know, that that is "the 'Richard' Graham Effect"......

Looking forward to the injured lads getting back into the fold.
Some Chris Alcock rampaging always a good thing.
The break has come at a good time.
The uncovering of depth this season has been fantastic, pumped that there is a same page thinking between players and office, getting the lads resigned. Obviously gutted that a couple of lads are moving on, and wish them the absolute best.


The 6 remaining weeks for the Force in 2014 Super Rugby Comp are going to be fantastic.
Get healed, get signed, get smashing some opposition.