Full-squad Force to face Cheetahs

[travelling_gerry]

Full-squad Force to face Cheetahs
Justin Chadwick

February 14, 2009 - 9:09AM
The Western Force have received a rare dose of good news, with up to four players set to return from injury for next Friday's clash with the Cheetahs at Subiaco Oval.
Marquee front rower Ben Castle, scrumhalf Josh Valentine, centre Junior Pelesasa and utility back Scott Staniforth all missed the Force's 25-19 loss to the Blues on Friday night.
But coach John Mitchell said he was confident the quartet would be ready to go against the Cheetahs in a match the Force will desperately want to win before embarking on a three-game road trip.
"There is an expectation all those players will be back for next week's game," Mitchell said.
The addition of Staniforth, one of the game's best utility backs who has battled a series of knee injuries recently, would be a particularly massive boost to the Force.
"Scotty's looking real good," Mitchell said.
"He's well ahead of schedule, which is great for the group because he's very experienced and done a hell of a lot of work to get back."
But Mitchell will be sweating on the fitness of prop AJ Whalley (ankle) and star centre Ryan Cross (shoulder) after the pair picked up injuries against the Blues.
The Blues also were hit on the injury front, with captain Keven Mealamu (calf) and centre Benson Stanley (hamstring) forced off during the fast-paced encounter.
The Force conceded four unanswered tries after leading the Blues 14-3.
It wasn't the first time this year the Force had given up a sizeable lead.
In trial games against the Crusaders and Reds the Force also let big leads slip but Mitchell was unfazed with his team's fade outs.
"We can't change the past and we certainly can't change tonight but we can address our game going forward and bring some solutions to the area," Mitchell said.
"It's more the fact we are not spending enough time in the front 50.
"Within the loss there's some very good stuff and the competition goes on.
"We didn't back off, we just kept coming.
"We showed composure even though things weren't going for us.
"I mean the tackle contest and the free kick momentum certainly went against us tonight.
"Just the fact we were still able to possibly win the match at the end based on crumbs is pretty positive."

© 2009 AAP


http://news.smh.com.au:80/breaking-n...0214-87ck.html

[mudskipper]

That will put the pressure on the Match Committee...

[BDAVEY]

I think the match committee are all shit scared to make any changers in case there is a revolt........

Castle. Josh and Scott have to come in ......... If they dont well that committee is worse than our local PTA

[slomo]

pointless having a full squad, if you dont use the reserves.....after one game this commitee thing doesn't seem to be working.....

[normie]

pointless having a full squad, if you dont use the reserves.....after one game this commitee thing doesn't seem to be working.....

What say does the commitee have during the game? I would have thought bugga all! except as an advisory or assistance group- Surely if Mitch wants to make a change in the course of play he shouldn't have to call for a commitee meeting....

[zimeric]

Stanners is back Yay!!!
when he plays ... we win!!

[Thequeerone]

I would have thought that the match committees function was to plan the course of play appropriate to the opposition - including subs and timing of subs.

In general the team should have a good idea who is going to play and when. If you know you are on for 60 then you kill yourself in that 60.

Obviously injuries happen and someone getting wound up by a ref or something should be subbed off if it leads to penalties but apart from that there should be a plan and you should stick to it.