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Western Force Super 14 preview: now or never for John Mitchell
By Greg Clark
Fox Sports rugby commentator
February 04, 2010.
While I don't have any "inside information" from the Western Force powerbrokers, it has to be now or never for coach John Mitchell.
The former All Blacks mentor is heading into his fifth season in the west and time is running out for him to deliver on his promise to guide the Force into the semis.
Seventh place in 2007 is the best result so far, and this season there is no Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell or Josh Valentine in the ranks.
The Force have recruited some more bulk with Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother and Nic Henderson propping up the pack, and Springboks veteran Andre Pretorius has been given the job of filling Giteau’s shoes.
It’s been a tough few years for Western Force with off-field drama, including a so called player revolt against Mitchell. Now have their third chief executive since their debut season in 2006.
A big positive could be the move away from Subiaco Oval to the more suitable rectangular ME Bank Stadium.
Fans will be closer to the action and, for once, it might feel like an away game for visiting teams.
With home games against the Brumbies and the Chiefs in the opening three rounds, it’s important to get points on the board early because they finish the regular season with three matches on the road in South Africa.
Fox Facts: Western Force
Home ground: ME Stadium
Coach: John Mitchell
Best Super 12/14 finish: Seventh 2007
Last season: P13 W6 D1 L6 F328 A275 BP10 Pts36 (eighth)
Squad:
Mark Bartholomeusz, Richard Brown, Pekahou Cowan, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Sam Harris, Dane Haylett-Petty, Nic Henderson, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Stefano Hunt, Mitch Inman, Luke Jones, Kieran Longbottom, Filipe Manu, Ben McCalman, James O'Connor, Chris O'Young, David Pocock, Andre Pretorius, Joelin Rapana, Haig Sare, Nathan Sharpe, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Richard Stanford, Mark Swanepoel, Josh Tatupu, Justin Turner, Ryan Tyrrell, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes
Gains: Andre Pretorius (Lions), Brett Sheehan (New South Wales Waratahs), Matt Dunning (New South Wales Waratahs), Nic Henderson (Brumbies), Tim Fairbrother (Hurricanes), Mark Bartholomeusz (Padova), Sam Harris (New South Wales Waratahs).
Losses: Matt Giteau (Brumbies), Josh Valentine (Brumbies), Drew Mitchell (New South Wales Waratahs), Tai McIsaac (retired)
Force's Head-To-Head Records
Week 1, v Brumbies (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 2, Lost 2 =
In Perth: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =
Week 2, v Hurricanes (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 1, Lost 3 -
In Wellington/New Plymouth: Played 2: Won 0, Lost 2 -
Week 3, v Chiefs (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 1, Lost 3 -
In Perth: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =
Week 4, Bye
Week 5, v Queensland Reds (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 2, Lost 2 =
In Brisbane: Played 2: Won 0, Lost 2 -
Week 6, v New South Wales Waratahs (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 2 -
In Perth: Played 2: Won 0, Lost 2 -
Week 7, v Bulls (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 2, Lost 2 =
In Perth: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =
Week 8, v Stormers (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 1, Lost 3 -
In Perth: Played 2: Won 0, Lost 2 -
Week 9, v Highlanders (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 2, Lost 2 =
In Dunedin/Queenstown: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =
Week 10, v Blues (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 1, Lost 3 -
In Auckland/North Harbour: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =
Week 11, v Crusaders (home)
H2H: Played 4: Drawn 2, Lost 2 -
In Perth: Played 2: Drawn 1, Lost 1 -
Week 12, v Lions (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 1 +
In Johannesburg: Played 2: Won 1, Drawn 1 +
Week 13, v Cheetahs (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 4, Lost 0 +
In Bloemfontein/Kimberley: Played 2: Won 2, Lost 0 +
Week 14, v Sharks (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 1, Lost 3 -
In Durban: Played 2: Won 0, Lost 2 -