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I guess. Matt Hodgson probably only has about another two seasons left in him and there is no guarantee that Chris Alcock will stay on. We need a developing openside for succession planning. It would be great to get a very good openside and, unless we go local, we will need to offer a promising youngster more than he is being offered elsewhere (i.e. an EPS spot)
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
I hope the Force pick Coleman up as well. Being part of the Afeaki family, he'd be as tough as a $2 steak and that is something we most sorely lacked last year-a second row(apart from MMM) whom the opposition don't really want to tackle or be tackled by.
Assuming Coleman does come and 2 bench props, I'd love to see:
1. Cowan
2. Charles
3. Faulkner
4. Coleman
5. Steenkamp
6. McMeniman
7. Hodgson
8. McCalman
9. Mathewson
10. Holmes
11. Cummins (fingers crossed)
12. Godwin
13. Rasolea
14. Morahan
15. Hayward
16. Tessman
17. Longbottom
18. Manu
19. Wykes
20. Alcock
21. Prior
22. Ebersohn
23. Haylett-Petty
That team looks good and there is talent on the bench.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
If JOC is pulled back having him at 15 would be better than jayden imho
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An unnamed source has told me that JOC has been in Perth training with the lads and done some form of ad. as well. I for one would like to believe that, but the same source had told me he had spoken to Gitieu personally and he wasn't leaving-1 week before his departure announcement so for the moment it is just a small straw for me to hang on to.
"Two years after James O'Connor issued those infamous KPIs to Force management for him to stay at the club, it appears a similar list could hold the key to his return. But this time it's the Force who are setting them.
We hear the Perth club issued O'Connor with a list of conditions - mostly framed around behaviour - that he'd have to meet if the club were to re-sign him.
Financial backers of the Force are very keen to get O'Connor back, though, and will pay decent freight. With a good ARU top-up, O'Connor's earning capacity in Australia is as good as anything he'd get playing overseas. O’Connor has, to be fair, impressed West Harbour mightily with his enthusiasm and support for his new club."
www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/payto-panda-wallabies-coach-ewen-mckenzie-stops-insanity-in-bid-for-bledisloe-cup-glory/story-fndpt9s1-1226693754124
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I was starting to think that O'Connor wasn't going to be coming. Now I am not sure. I don't mind too much either way. It would be hard to know where to place him and I think it would make a lot of sense to see where McKenzie wants to play him with the Wallabies. Seems like it would be a waste to have him on the wing. At least at fullback he can come into the line with a bit more freedom on attack. If nothing else, his goal kicking will be very handy.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
It's rather harsh on the man, who I think has been a champion of the Force, but I think Hodgson should be relieved of the captain's duties next year. IMO Alcock should be starting ahead of him, and I'd also like to see Cottrell starting most games at 6 (I think the kid's a gun), with Benny Mac at 8. Leave MMM at lock. Hodgo provides good bench cover for all 3 backrow positions as well.
and who would be your Captain?
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