Staniforth wants central battle

[Burgs]

Staniforth wants central battle

By Tim Clarke
February 27, 2007

WESTERN Force back Scott Staniforth admits he is frustrated on the wing, saying he wants to play in the centres against New South Wales on Friday.
Staniforth returned to Australia as Force's final signing for last season, and he was a revelation in the centres after being switched from the wing in mid-season - scoring a team-high nine tries and earning a Test recall for Australia.

But he has found himself back on the wing in 2007, after the arrival in Perth of league convert Ryan Cross, from Sydney Roosters, and Drew Mitchell, from Super 14 rival Queensland.

Staniforth hence has made a reduced impact on the competition, scoring no tries from few chances.

“I would love to be back in the centres,” Staniforth said today when told that New South Wales coach Ewen McKenzie had stated publicly that he expected the flyer to start in the No.12 jumper on Friday.

”It is not about where I want to play.

“I haven't had as much ball as I'd like.

“But is one of those things.

“It is a team game and you can't really be worried too much about that.

“Obviously I would like to get a bit more ball, but half of that is up to me, and working a bit harder.”

The situation echoes Staniforth's last season with the Waratahs, in 2004, when his opportunities were limited by the arrival of league convert Lote Tuqiri.

Staniforth still has Tuqiri very much in mind, saying today that he expected his fellow Wallabies back to turn on the style against Force after a quiet start to the season.

“He has probably got a lot going on, and I think he has even admitted he has not been on top of his game,” Staniforth said.

“I hear this week he is ready for big one, and he usually fires up for the interstate clashes as well.”

Force coach John Mitchell and a squad including a clutch of former Waratahs including Staniforth, Cameron Shepherd, Brendan Cannon and Gareth Hardy will travel to Sydney today.

AAP

[Vanilla Ice]

Can't argue with that. He's an unlucky chappie - has done nothing wrong but just keeps getting shafted.

[Nick]

Yep great centre and a big unit, with a bit of luck he'll get a run there and add a bit in attack. Would be good to see Sheppherd at Full back as well maybe DM on the wings where his speed will be useful, but Sheps defence is much better utilised at Full Back.

[inactive]

tell me bout it i think our attack wouold improve more so with him breaking the line in centre

[Darren]

yep - he has certainly earnt a run in the centres after last years efforts!

[Use The Force]

I think Pelesasa should have a bit of a bench stint for a while, bring Stanners into the centres! Junior's handling was terrible on Saturday night.

[Burgs]

Yep, I'd go with that too UTF.
They've had their experiment which had the whole of the preseason to get right, it hasn't worked, move on.
I'm confident it is because Mitch is Coaching to the "bigger picture" but, in terms of results, I don't think he is utilising his bench to the full either.
Both Hilgendorf and Sare have provided line breaking sparks before and both deserve to have a crack if the 1st XV isn't getting the results.
Assuming fitness, I would be lining up with:

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

If we then lost there would be a couple of major adjustments but we'll take the arm chair coaching "one week at a time"

[jargan83]

nothing beats armchair coaching............... i've done it a few times

[Nick]

The only question I have is Holmes over McIsaac on the bench. but I like the starting 15.

[Burgs]

Basically gone for that because Cannon has been the lesser of two evils so far and Holmes needs some match time as I believe all three are coming up for contract at the end of the season.
There's "normally" some kind of method to my madness
Very tough on Bam-Bam too but, despite some doubters, we have three excellent #7's and someone has to "rest" each week.

[Nick]

True and lets be honest neither Cannon or McIsaac are young getting Holmes out there for a run and building on his skills is hardly the worst thing we could do for the future.

[Goldmember]

Giteau is not a flyhalf. I'm probably going to get flamed for this but, based on what I've seen, I think Staniforth is one of the best inside centres around. Maybe Giteau and Staniforth could share the role? Giteau will be more rested, and the Wallabies would have another option at 12.

[Nick]

I think he plays a pretty good fly half, however if you were to move him to centre and Staniforth to allow hilgendorf to play say, why not do a straight swap of Stanniforth for Cross and Mitchell for Sheppherd?

[Goldmember]

That's exactly what I would do Nick!

[AndyS]

I know we are bedding in a backline, but I'd like to see a horses-for-courses approach develop. I've always thought Giteau would be best suited to 10 long term, and his tactical awareness is excellent, but he does kick a bit often. It may have been instructed, but there were several occasions last week where he went to the boot when we had big numbers out to the right. In the wet though, that tactical kicking is what you are after and I'd like to see him there with Staniforth, Cross and Sare outside (Mitchell and Shepherd largely interchangeable)

Bit different in the dry though. If you are going to play an expansive game I'd prefer to see him at 12 making breaks himself or distributing either side to Hilgendorf and Staniforth/Cross, probably Ioane at 14 for his tackling (the dry cuts both ways), Mitchell at 11 and Shepherd at 15.

A real question for mine is how Stapleton is developing, especially with contracts coming up. I'd really love to see some serious wheels on the wing.