PRETORIUS CONTINUES FORCE'S STRONG SQUAD DEVELOPMENT

[Burgs]

The good thing is we still have those positions available if someone pops up, the Squad isn't full yet.

[AndyS]

I'm not sure it is a case of "available if pops up" though - we need cover in those positions. We don't want a repeat of the last time we had the same draw...

[travelling_gerry]

Our squad fitness is streets ahead of 2006.

[AndyS]

Doesn't protect your flyhalf from a punch in the face...

[GIGS20]

Doesn't protect your flyhalf from a punch in the face...

Have you seen pretorius' face?

He's used to it!

[BeeJay]

We still need another established utility back (at the very least).

[Woody]

A bit like a good hair conditioner (it may not happen over night, but it will happen), Josh Tatupu will be to the fore in the 2010/11 mix. Bear in mind he has only had 2 part seasons of the 15 a side game. A solid structured player will be able to develope far more quickly outside an AP than a MG (no slight on Gitts just difficult to follow).
He is currently playing well in Sydney (watched by Deans a couple of weeks ago).

Early to talk about 2010 really but the 'possible' has a solid look to it. I'd love to dig up some of the old posts regarding Dunning! Amazing how a shade of blue change enhance someones rep in the west!

Good luck for Saturday against Les Bleus. Sunday morning should give some indication of where we all sit on the Tri ladder. Pre this weekend I'd go SA, Aussie then the ABs.

[Sheikh]

Woody, I've been a staunch critic of Dunning as a poor Wallaby prop; it was he who earned the nickname 'Teletubby' from the English props. But he's a good prop at Super 14 level; he just doesn't have enough to make him a world class player.

I didn't want him to come to the Force on a guaranteed starting contract (I don't want anyone to have one of those - reduces healthy competition for places) and I was nervous about what his arrival might do to the development of our existing bench props, such as AJ and Boof. But, as both are moving on (as far as I recall), I'd welcome Dunning and what he can teach the likes of Pek, Troy and Kieran.

A couple of old heads around to teach the youngers guys is always welcome, provided the old head doesn't have a big ego (which I'm still to be convinced about with Dunning).

[Woody]

can't argue with that. Experience as long as it's not in the retirement mode must be a good thing.

[BeeJay]

Maybe it would have been better to keep and further develop Troy Takiari. Why have we not tried/are we not trying for Berrick Barnes??!

[AndyS]

Sorry? Is Takiari leaving too?

[brokendown gunfighter]

grenoble
he must like skiing

[shasta]

Maybe it would have been better to keep and further develop Troy Takiari.

Troy is 31. I reckon the thinking is that the front row replecements need strengthening now. There have been a few too many games that should have been iced, only to see them slip away when the bench players didn't aim up. If you look at the loss to the Hurricanes, on the surface most blamed Mitchell's poor defense for letting in those two late tries. While that was true, the team should never have been in the position they found themselves late in that game. Our bench was exposed, not for the first time, by the Wellington forwards after Castle & Co had done all the graft.

[sandgroperrugby]

I agree with you Shasta.

And I believe those guys got the chance to develop over a 3-4 year period and unfortunately were found wanting at Super 14 level. The club gave those guys opportunities to improve and when there was not enough, well then they need to find other players with potential and give them the chance to shine and let the other guys go.

[normie]

Yeah Groper< I agree (and with your, er, agree-ance of shasta..) I'm sure that very issue of our exposed bench as highlighted in the Hurricanes game has not been lost on Mitch; That situation would, no doubt, have featured prominently in the season post mortem. It seems that the committee have taken action.
Add a seasoned hooker to the mix and the Force scrums are going to be more than just competative.