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Staniforth wants central battle
By Tim Clarke
February 27, 2007
WESTERN Force back Scott Staniforth admits he is frustrated on the wing, saying he wants to play in the centres against New South Wales on Friday.
Staniforth returned to Australia as Force's final signing for last season, and he was a revelation in the centres after being switched from the wing in mid-season - scoring a team-high nine tries and earning a Test recall for Australia.
But he has found himself back on the wing in 2007, after the arrival in Perth of league convert Ryan Cross, from Sydney Roosters, and Drew Mitchell, from Super 14 rival Queensland.
Staniforth hence has made a reduced impact on the competition, scoring no tries from few chances.
“I would love to be back in the centres,” Staniforth said today when told that New South Wales coach Ewen McKenzie had stated publicly that he expected the flyer to start in the No.12 jumper on Friday.
”It is not about where I want to play.
“I haven't had as much ball as I'd like.
“But is one of those things.
“It is a team game and you can't really be worried too much about that.
“Obviously I would like to get a bit more ball, but half of that is up to me, and working a bit harder.”
The situation echoes Staniforth's last season with the Waratahs, in 2004, when his opportunities were limited by the arrival of league convert Lote Tuqiri.
Staniforth still has Tuqiri very much in mind, saying today that he expected his fellow Wallabies back to turn on the style against Force after a quiet start to the season.
“He has probably got a lot going on, and I think he has even admitted he has not been on top of his game,” Staniforth said.
“I hear this week he is ready for big one, and he usually fires up for the interstate clashes as well.”
Force coach John Mitchell and a squad including a clutch of former Waratahs including Staniforth, Cameron Shepherd, Brendan Cannon and Gareth Hardy will travel to Sydney today.
AAP