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Western Force have asked Super Rugby's governing body SANZAR not to push them into another gruelling New Zealand schedule when they finalise the 2014 fixtures.
The Force have away games against the Highlanders and Crusaders and do not want to face the same scenario as this year when they flew 68,000km in the competition.
That trek included flying from Perth to New Zealand for the clash with the Chiefs in Pukekohe but instead of staying in NZ for the customary second game, or playing an east coast team on the way home, they were forced to return home for a match against the Sharks. Three weeks earlier they had played the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Coach Michael Foley said at the time that his side had been "significantly disadvantaged" by the schedule.
The Force have also asked for an easier start to the year after they played five of their first six games away from home in 2013, partly because of the redevelopment of nib Stadium.
They will play the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and Stormers in Cape Town on their South African leg but will host Super Rugby champions the Chiefs and the Blues.
They will also play the reinstated Lions and Bulls at home. All Australian sides are played against both home and away.
Meanwhile, yesterday was the deadline for embattled Wallaby James O'Connor to present evidence on the Perth Airport incident to the Australian Rugby Union.
O'Connor was allegedly intoxicated when he was escorted from the terminal by Australian Federal Police officers on September 15. He was refused entry to an Air Asia flight to Bali at 5am, hours after the Wallabies' one-point win over Argentina at Patersons Stadium.
He had been travelling with his girlfriend when an argument began over ticketing arrangements.
O'Connor, suspended by the Wallabies, has admitted drinking but has denied being drunk.
The ARU, which has asked the AFP for its information, stood O'Connor down for failing to uphold team behavioural and cultural standards. A decision on his future will be made next week.
If the ARU is not satisfied by O'Connor's explanation, it could upgrade the matter to a code of conduct.
That could see O'Connor lose his Wallaby contract, though when Quade Cooper faced a similar charge after his "toxic" comments last year he was hit with a $40,000 fine.
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
A possible dual-game InnFORCErs tour to look forward to?
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
Considering that we traveled far for those two NZ games we did pretty well. Lost to the Chiefs by 1 at home and the Hurricanes by 6.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
I'm stoked we've got the Stormers on our SA tour - that's my long haul holiday for next year sorted :-)))
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
If the force had handled their business at home and turned the NIB into a fortress the long haul away trips wouldn't have been such an issue
Wasn't the weird scheduling something to do with stadium redevelopment?
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
Will look into the SA tour Alison. Have we got any dates yet.
May the FORCE be with you!
I'm keen on both NZ games
I've always found it odd, that Aussie teams go for a "tour" to SA, but back and forth to NZ.
The Force should have their NZ segment looked as a "tour" too
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
They Force usually play their NZ games as a tour by playing both games back to back.
When the fixture was done for Super 14 the Force would get two trips to NZ in the years that they played 3 NZ sides in NZ.
It's easy for the East Coast sides to play the NZ sides as a one off game and return home the next week.
It was good. There is a really good summary by AndrewG on the "2014 squad" thread on here. I get the feeling they will continue running these member forums as they are genuinely interested in what members have to say.
I fell in love with Mark Sinderberry!! The franchise is in very good hands with him and Foley at the helm I reckon. He even convinced me to trust whatever decision they make about re-signing JOC!!!
Best news was they are very hopeful of keeping the HB. Worst news was that Emirates are likely to drop their sponsorship so no more discounts on flights for me :-((![]()
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby