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Inaugural Emirates Western Force Player of the Year Scott Staniforth has been appointed a Vice Captain for the 2007 Investec Super 14 season.
Staniforth will share the role with Scott Fava, who was reappointed to the position for a second year.
Nathan Sharpe was reappointed as the team’s Captain.
Staniforth joined the Emirates Western Force from British club London Irish in December 2005 and went on to finish the 2006 Super 14 campaign (pre-finals) as the competition’s equal top tryscorer.
His outstanding season saw him return to the Wallabies squad after a four year hiatus, and he came off the bench in Tests against South Africa and Ireland, and had a strong performance against Scotland after starting the match at inside centre.
Emirates Western Force head coach John Mitchell said Staniforth had the respect of all his team mates, and was the type of player who always backed up his words with his actions.
“When he speaks, the boys listen,” Mitchell said. “We need more leadership in the backline, and Scotty will bring that – he has the presence of a Tana Umaga,” he said.
Staniforth said he was thrilled to be given an official leadership role within the team, and he aimed to return the vote of confidence with another strong season.
“It’s a great honour and I’ll be doing the best I can to ensure we make big progress on last year,” Staniforth said.
“We did it hard in 2006 but we learnt a lot from the experience, and we will be better for the adversity. We should significantly improve.”