Ideal team for this years Super 14

[The Big I]

Some of us even "hate" the Bookie...

My Team:

1. Angus Scott
2. Tai McIsaac
3. Troy Takiari
4. David Pusey
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Luke Doherty
7. Richard Brown
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Digby Ioane
12. Matt Giteau
13. Ryan Cross
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd
16. Gareth Hardy
17. Brendan Cannon
18. Rudi Vedelago
19. David Pocock
20. Haig Sare
21. Scott Staniforth
22. Junior Pelesasa

Giteau to Half, Staniforth to 12, Sare to cover 10-15, Pelesasa to cover 11-14

How I expect them to line up Round 1:

1. Angus Scott
2. Brendan Cannon
3. Troy Takiari
4. Rudi Vedelago
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Luke Doherty
7. Matt Hodgson
8. Scott Fava
9. Matt Henjak
10. James Hilgendorf
11. Scott Staniforth
12. Matt Giteau
13. Ryan Cross
14. Drew Mitchell
15. Cameron Shepherd
16. Gareth Hardy
17. Tai McIsaac
18. David Pusey
19. Richard Brown
20. Chris O'Young
21. Scott Daruda
22. Junior Pelesasa

Hey Burgs I agree your team is the best Force lineup, either way I think we will be very competitive this season8)

[Shaun]

Burgs I'm loving your line up, except I would like to see Pocock in at #7. I really agree with you reserves being Stanners to bash up in the centres in the second half and Sare and Junior to cover. If an injury occurs I would like to see Daruda come into the reserves.

[Burgs]

I reckon by the end of the seaon Pocock just might be first pick Shaun, but at this stage I think you need to give some selection weight to experience and bring him off the bench.
As I've said elsewhere, I reckon he is destined for great things and hope we get to see a career of it here in WA. His next contract should be a ripper!

[joblot]

Hey Burgs I agree your team is the best Force lineup, either way I think we will be very competitive this season8)

No one seems to have Lachlan McKay in their selections. Is he injured or just not considered good enough?

[Burgs]

Injured we believe joblot, I'd definately have him in the 22 and possibly as 5/8 to start if he was fit. I'd find it pretty hard to drop Jimmy Hilgendorf from his '06 form though.
Re watched the Tahs match last night and he was the only player to make breaks and to do so he was coming in from Fullback to get the ball!
The downside for Lachy is it has been so long since he has played regular Rugby now that those who have been playing are also easier selections.

[Shaun]

MacKay would be my first pick number #10 if he were not injured. He played very well in the Sharks game coming straight out of injury, he broke tackles, offloaded well and has a handy kicking game.

[GIGS20]

You need Stanners and Cross in the team. Foward pack may be kicked around the park. Backline is very strong.

What are you on O'Regan?
Our pack was finelast year, the strengthof theside, and it was all done after being savaged by injury. I reckon the loose forwards (particularly Fava) will run rampant this year, since they know they have the support of a far better backline. (no offence but we played several apprentices and fringe players last year due to the land mines out in the centres)
Why is everyone suggesting Gits should moveout of the centres? He'll go off at 12, Spanner will get tons of good ball outside himand Jimmy Higendorf was certainly capable at 10. 12 can stil play as 1st receiver,and that will give kicking options both sides of the ruck, just like the wallabies had with Larko out in the centres.
Henjak willmake significantly better decisions this year because he will have more faith in the guys outside him, and Cross is still making the transition in defence, so Cross and Digby should share a wing until one comes out on top., Gits and Spanner in the Centers and Jimmy and Matt conttolling the inside.

Hope Paddy O'Connor isn't hurt as that might affect things a bit.

[travelling_gerry]

By the looks Pat O'Connor is out for the season......

So how does the dream teams line up look now?

[O'Regan]

Some of us even "hate" the Bookie...

How can I hate the Kind and Generous Vbookie, If I was Mitchell I would be kicking myself about moving to WA. Actually no he wouldn't Schivosce. But WA need Stanners in the team, seeing as he is VC.

[Shaun]

I just hope a couple of the fringe players- get a run this season as well. Players like Junior, Sare, Stapleton, daruda top name a few

[Burgs]

By the looks Pat O'Connor is out for the season......

So how does the dream teams line up look now?

Pretty much the same I'd reckon Gerry.
I would have loved to give him a shot following on from a powerful '06 but had to give Vedelago the benefit of the doubt and couldn't do without the lineout expertise of Pusey so they were my two after Sharpey.
We certainly will be getting a bit thin if another Lock goes down though, just have to leave that to the Tahs....

[RugbyFan]

Who is the second Shepherd?

Sorry guys, the 2nd Shepherd is Mitchell, i was meant to write Mitchell and Shepherd swapping.

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Here's my 2 bobs worth.

1.Hardy
2.Cannon
3.Takiari
4.Vedelago
5.Sharpe
6.Doherty
7.Brown
8.Fava
9.Henjak
10.Hilgendorf
11.Cross
12.Giteau
13.Staniforth
14.Mitchell
15.Shepherd
16.Scott
17.McIsaac
18.Pusey
19.Hodgson
20.O'Young
21.Sare
22.Pelesasa

Pocock to get plenty of game time later in the year.Would like to see Stapelton get a look in also. Digby to cool his heels till he improves his ball skills.Only thing not sure about is do we need a specialist srumhalf on the bench.With the flexibility of Gits who could slot in there if needed, a extra utility to occupy 20 would be good. MacKay when fit?

[chiselhead]

There is plenty of talk on here about the backs. The Force is overflowing with speed and skill in the backs this year. It is mouth watering.
The game is won up front. The tight five is where we have to aim up and the backrow has to be dominant at the breakdown. Last year we were murdered at the breakdown. Will this improve? I am looking forward to seeing Takiari up front. We have two wallaby hookers. I like Angus Scott. He's 'ard. I personally think he is very under rated. He held his own against every opponent last season at scrum time. He can also play both sides of the scrum.The Force did not struggle in the scrum last season. I was disturbed to lose Dave Fitter. Mitchell thought he was lazy about the paddock but that boy could scrummage. The Force were dominating at scrum time towards the end of the season. I had drool running down my chin

[tdevil]

I agree with TLH's selection
That is pretty much the best possible combination....but that is just my opinion, for what it's worth