Mitchell gets career up and running again
Dave Hughs
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ContentID=8679
Former Fremantle fitness coach Adam Larcom has helped Western Force flyer Drew Mitchell revive his Wallabies career.
After being overlooked for this year’s Tri-Nations series, Mitchell, 22, was one of seven Force players named yesterday in a 37-strong squad for a four-Test tour of Europe.
He joins teammates Nathan Sharpe, Brendan Cannon, Tai McIsaac, Scott Staniforth, Cameron Shepherd and Matt Giteau in the squad that leaves on October 27.
"Stronger and faster," was Mitchell’s succinct reason for his international recall.
Regarded as one of the finds of 2005, Mitchell was surprisingly dumped when John Connolly replaced Eddie Jones as Wallabies coach earlier this year.
Connolly told the 10-Test player he needed to improve his physical condition and decision making.
Then Connolly asked the Force to withdraw their new recruit from the Australian Provincial Championship to attend a six-week strength and speed course in Sydney.
Wallabies trainer Jason Weber subjected Mitchell to an intensive weights regime and Larcom, who has coached sprinters to the Olympic Games, made him faster.
"It was very intense but I’m feeling great now," said Mitchell. "If I had played for the Force in the APC, I would have stayed at the same level I was at two months ago.
"It’s good to be back in the Wallabies fold but I don’t just want to be a tourist. I’ll be pushing for a Test spot."
Cannon has a good chance of adding to his 40 caps, with his experience crucial if an otherwise raw front row is to improve on the scrummaging disasters of the corresponding tour last year.
However, the inclusion of three other hookers in McIsaac, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Stephen Moore indicates Connolly is far from decided as to his preferred rake.
Wallabies squad: Stirling Mortlock (capt.), Adam Ashley-Cooper, Al Baxter, Rodney Blake, Alister Campbell, Brendan Cannon, Mark Chisholm, Sam Cordingley, Rocky Elsom, Gene Fairbanks, Mark Gerrard, Matt Giteau, Stephen Hoiles, Greg Holmes, James Horwill, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, David Lyons, Tai McIsaac, Hugh McMeniman, Drew Mitchell, Stephen Moore, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Clyde Rathbone, Benn Robinson, Mat Rogers, Nathan Sharpe, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Guy Shepherdson, George Smith, Scott Staniforth, Lote Tuqiri, Morgan Turinui, Dan Vickerman, Phil Waugh.
