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There's another plug for the petition too. Let's Keep it going
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Nick Taylor, The West Australian
Western Force prop Salesi Manu is just a young pup when it comes to the front row, the toughest of positions.
He goes head first into the dark area where tonnes of pressure is exerted as players battle to dominate their opposition, lock up the scrum and become an immovable object.
It is not a place for the faint-hearted but last year, at just 21, Manu stood up to some of the best in the business with the toughest of initiations to Super Rugby.
Force teammate and Wallabies prop Salesi Ma'afu broke an arm and Manu found himself facing Wallaby Ben Alexander, veteran All Black Tony Woodcock and fellow New Zealand international Ben Franks in his first three games.
Now in his second year of Super Rugby, the imposing but unassuming 120kg front-rower, who has no trouble bench pressing 190kg, has an enormous future ahead of him.
"I've a long way to go still. I'm still a little baby, still a little pup," he said.
"Just to have a couple of games (in 2012) was going to make my year but now I'm trying to push for a starting spot and at the same time better myself.
"I've got two Wallaby props (Ma'afu and Pek Cowan), Kieran Longbottom and Tetera Faulkner ahead of me. It's a good thing that we have a lot of depth. That means pushing myself but learning at the same time.
"Coming into my second year, I've already learned a lot."
Western Force front-rower Salesi Manu is working hard for a starting position in the team for next season. Picture: Ben Crabtree/WA News
Meanwhile, the Australian Rugby Union has backed the campaign to have the new nib Stadium grandstand named after retired Force and Wallaby legend Nathan Sharpe.
ARU acting chief executive Matt Carroll said Sharpe had been an inspiration to the Australian team in a stellar career.
"Australian rugby welcomes fans' show of support to have a grandstand named after Nathan Sharpe, one of Australia's greatest players," he said.
"I know Western Force fans are very proud of Nathan Sharpe so it would be fitting."
The campaign was launched by the Force fan club, The Whole Force.
Its website petition has already topped 1000 signatures.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ion-for-force/