0
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/down_dis.png)
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
Losing Giteau now may be the hit the Force has to take to move on
3/11/2008 1:00:00 AM
If Matt Giteau does ask to leave Perth before next year's Super 14, the Western Force would do well to wish him the best, even if it's through gritted teeth.
Losing Giteau now or in a year will be a massive hit to the fledgling Super 14 organisation. He is clearly its best and most recognisable player.
He gave backline direction to a team which really struggled in its opening year before he joined.
But like the ACT Brumbies had to do when they lost him, the Force would need to pull itself together and move on with whoever remains.
It's a curiosity and probably nothing more that Giteau, if he left, would be the third of the three big-name Brumbies recruits whose time in the west ended prematurely. All for different reasons.
When the Force was announced as Australia's fourth Super rugby province, it was clear it would need to recruit from within the existing provinces. The Force and its sponsors promised fun, success and plenty of cash in Perth and went after the big fish.
By the end of the first brazen recruiting drive the Brumbies were counting themselves lucky to lose only two of their regular starting players and Test squad members, Scott Fava and Matt Henjak.
But a year later the Force struck a massive blow by recruiting Giteau.
He cost a fortune but the Force maintains he has been worth every cent.
Giteau's close friend Henjak was the first of the ex-Brumbies trio to have his career in the west unravel.
An off-field incident while on tour with the Brumbies in South Africa in 2004 came back to haunt him late last year when it was revealed the Force had paid hush money to an alleged assault victim.
Then, early this year, Henjak was axed from the club for a violent attack on teammate Haig Sare during a day-long drinking session.
Like Henjak, Fava's time in the west was marked by off-field controversy. However his muck-ups seemed more out of character.
He failed a couple of club breath-tests at training sessions. Then, for reasons I'm sure he's still trying to fathom himself, he got caught up in the Rottnest Island quokka-throwing scandal.
This year, no doubt with an awareness Richard Brown was ready to succeed him at No8, Fava asked for and was granted a release to return to Sydney.
He has what is probably an unwanted distinction of being the first player to be capped at all four Australian provinces.
Various reasons have been given why the Force has struggled with off-field problems in its early years.
Former Brumbies prop and former Force assistant Ben Darwin said in February a stronger culture of leadership was needed.
''At the Brumbies people's heads are pulled in earlier, and I don't think anyone's pulling them in over there,'' Darwin said.
In the Force's defence, it must be an immensely difficult challenge setting up a football club from scratch, especially when virtually every player has been uprooted from their support networks to be there.
And while the Force is yet to make the Super 14 finals in three seasons, many players have flourished.
The club provided six players in the Wallabies team that played New Zealand on Saturday, including three who had not played Tests before joining the Force.
Strangely, there could even be a positive for the Force in losing Giteau, who has been the player most affected by the Firepower sponsorship shenanigans, in which its recruitment was largely bank-rolled by a dodgy operation.
By Giteau moving on now rather than later, the Force could close the book on that chapter of its history, instead of letting it drag on.
jmoloney@canberratimes.com.au
http://www.canberratimes.com.au:80/n...n/1350082.aspx
You've got to be kidding me?
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
That article is Grade A Bullplop
Exactly which chapter of our history would we be closing the book on in granting an early contact release which has not been requested?
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
That would be the chapter that the Brumbies aren't talking about to Giteau regarding next year.
Posted via space
Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
I thought Henjak was reguarly on the Bench while at the Brumbies as well?
Never let the truth ruin a nice story.
Posted via space
Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
I thought seeing as the article is written by some knob in Canberra he might actually get close to the truth![]()
What was the odds on the trifecta of firepower, quokkas and henjak again?
We are what we do most often… its simple…I understand you’re all sick of hearing it…but being obtuse what help…
Is anyone accountable in the West? Or should others not speak of it.
There was a test on the weekend,....what did you think about it?
I thought Brown did well and I'm sure we going to see more of him. Excellent work rate and always had himself in position for the next offensive play. Cross was good he has had a great year. Drew Mitchell was on fire excellent game. Gits played well. Mortlock played well.
The tab had the Wallabies at +12.5 so I took some of that action and the half time margin Wallabies lad between 1-7. All good, had some beers with a NZ mate in Sydney and enjoyed a good test match, which a Irish ref tried to kill...
Lineouts a bit touch and go. Wallabies scrum will be tested next weekend against the Italians. There is a lot of internationals on next weekend.
Oh and Carter at 12 was a waste.
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.