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Western Force 2007
Coach: John Mitchell
Captain: Nathan Sharpe
Ground: Subiaco Oval
Squad:
Richard Brown, Brendan Cannon, Pekahou Cowan, Ryan Cross, Michael Dan, Scott Daruda, Luke Doherty, Scott Fava, Matt Giteau, Gareth Hardy, Matt Henjak, James Hilgendorf, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Digby Ioane, Tai McIsaac, Lachlan MacKay, Drew Mitchell, Pat O'Connor*, Chris O'Young, Junior Pelesasa, David Pocock*, David Pusey, Haig Sare*, Angus Scott, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Brett Stapleton, Troy Takiari, Rudi Vedelago, AJ Whalley, Matt Windle
* = 2006 Apprentice now Full Contract.
Apprentices:
Contracted- Michael Dan, Tom Hockings, Jon McGrath
Academy- Dan Bailey, Will Brock, Tim Carslaw, Joseph Egan, Kieran Longbottom, Curtis Maclean, John Menehira, Angus Neilson, Brendan O'Dea, Adam Scari, Jock Stanley, James Stannard, Ryan Tyrell, Cole Unasa, Justin Webster, Darren Van Wyk, Garth Ziegler.
Arrivals:
Ryan Cross (NSW, NRL, Sydney Roosters), Michael Dan (NSW, St Josephs- Eastwood- Aus Under 21), Matt Giteau (Brumbies), Tom Hockings (Qld, Aus Under 21), Jon McGrath (ACT, Brumby Runners-Norths) Drew Mitchell (Reds), Troy Takiari (NSW, Norths, Waratahs Squad)
Departures:
Vitori Buatava (Gold Coast QRU), Tim Davidson (Sydney Uni NSWRU), Gavin DeBartolo (Eastern Suburbs NSWRU), David Fitter (London Irish English Premier), Josh Fuimaono (Gold Coast QRU), Josh Graham (NRL Gold Coast Titans), Brock James (CSM Clermont French Pro 16), Tajhon Mailata (Bay Of Plenty NPC NZ), Zander Peden (Undecided), David Te Moana (Manawatu NPC NZ), Ben Ward (University QRU), John Welborn (Retired)
Selection Issues:
With some excellent new faces at the Force in ’07 and junior players improving dramatically in the last twelve months, Coach John Mitchell starts the new season faced with an enviable problem, who to leave out and how to get the mix right especially in an explosive backline.
A season ago Mat Giteau, Ryan Cross and Drew Mitchell could have virtually walked straight into the #12, #13 & #15 jerseys respectively however, much has changed for the Force in twelve months.
Scott Staniforth rose to be the form Inside Centre and leading Australian try scorer in S14, Cameron Shepherd excelled at Full Back for both the Force and country. Junior Pelesasa has bulked up and returned from injury. Mat Giteau has played at Scrum Half for the Wallabies. Haig Sare came from nowhere to one of the finds of the year in the outside backs.
It may have even crossed Mitchell’s mind that a few injuries wouldn’t go astray!
The biggest issue that has been discussed has been were to play the golden boy, Mat Giteau.
A massive coup for the Force in getting him however, with him comes a massive headache.
Where to play him?
Do you play him in his best position or in the position that allows the next best players to be selected properly?
Giteau at #12 probably means Staniforth wasted out on the Wing and no Lachlan MacKay.
Giteau at #10 could lead to ’06 star James Hilgendorf out of the twenty two.
Giteau at #9 and expecting a full 80 minutes out of him would put paid to Matt Henjak and Chris O’Young for the week.
While Giteau has maintained he came to Perth to play #12, in recent days Coach Mitchell has softened his hard-line opposition to Giteau at Scrum Half during the match, indicating it may allow an extra utility player on the bench.
To a lesser extent there are some selection issues arising for the Forwards, basically how to fit fourteen players into eight jerseys!
For the following positions all these players are worthy of a start and perhaps only tactics and injury will decide on the day.
Prop: Gareth Hardy, Angus Scott and Troy Takiari.
Hooker: Brendan Cannon, Tai McIsaac
Lock: Nathan Sharpe but then Rudi Vedelago, Pat O’Connor and David Pusey.
Blindside: Luke Doherty and David Pusey.
Openside: Probably the most even contest of all, Matt Hodgson, Richard Brown and future star David “Bam-Bam” Pocock.
Injury permitting, the only guaranteed starts in the Forwards would be for the two team leaders, Captain Nathan Sharpe at Lock and VC Scott Fava at #8, the rest is a lottery.
Only time and injury will tell but there will certainly be some long meetings around the selection table at Perry Lakes this season.
Possible 1st XV:
1. Angus Scott
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Troy Takiari
4. David Pusey
5. Nathan Sharpe ©
6. Luke Doherty
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava (VC)
9. Matt Henjak
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Digby Ioane
12. Mat Giteau
13. Ryan Cross
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd
16. Gareth Hardy
17. Tai McIsaac
18. Rudi Vedelago
19. Richard Brown
20. Scott Staniforth
21. Haig Sare
22. Junior Pelesasa
Prospects:
There are probably a few ways at looking at the prospects for the Western Force in their second year however I will look at Home v Away.
Method 1: Home v Away; This season the Force will enjoy a much more forgiving schedule and an extra Home match as well.
Generally in 2006 the Force (excepting the Blues) was competitive in all the Away fixtures against, generally, the weaker teams.
In ’07 the Force will host the following Fixtures (‘06 Score in brackets):
Round 1- Highlanders (Lost 25-22)
Round 4- Cats/Lions (Drew 34-34)
Round 6- Hurricanes (Lost 29-5)
Round 7- Reds (Lost 29-18.)
Round 8- Bye
Round 9- Sharks (Lost 41-25)
Round 13- Cheetahs (Won 14-16)
Round 14- Blues (Lost 39-8.)
Any genuine Super 14 team would be planning to record a win with all seven of those fixtures.
The Highlanders and Hurricanes pre All Blacks, the Lions in disarray, pride and World Cup selection on the line for the Reds, equitable Squads against the Sharks and Cheetahs and the mother of all pay back matches against the Blues to finish.
The Away schedule is far more taxing and hopefully won’t have too much of a bearing on the Home fixtures.
Round 2- Stormers (Lost 25-26)
Round 3- Bulls (Lost 21-30)
Round 5- Waratahs (Lost 7-32)
Round 10- Crusaders (Robbed 23-23)
Round 11- Chiefs (Lost 9-26)
Round 12- Brumbies (Lost 10-25)
The nature of the Super 14 schedule makes it all the harder for the Away team with the consecutive matches on the road and this is increased by having to play last years 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th & 11th placed teams in their own back yard.
Unfortunately for the Force they only play two New Zealand teams in the first eight rounds. The Highlanders will only be without a couple of players anyway however, it does make life a little easier against an undermanned Hurricanes unit at Subiaco.
Prediction:
In all, the Western Force would be aiming for a Finals berth however probably around the seven wins with a handful of bonus points would be a fair appraisal of the coming season.
Between 5th & 8th.
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