No Staniforth kick to start new season

[travelling_gerry]

No Staniforth kick to start new season






Wayne Smith | February 11, 2009


Article from: The Australian

IT was not how Scott Staniforth had hoped to kick-start his campaign to force his way into the consciousness of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

The veteran of two World Cups, the toast of all Australia when he backed up centre partner Stirling Mortlock to score the winning try against the All Blacks in Melbourne in 2007, Staniforth, 31, will not be considered for Western Force's opening Super 14 match on Friday night in Perth.

Despite having two minor operations since sustaining knee-cartilage damage in round nine last year, Staniforth has arrived at the start of the season still a week short of being fully fit.

There is not a professional Super 14 player in Australia today, not Phil Waugh, Stirling Mortlock or George Smith -- all of whom first pulled on the Wallabies jersey in 2000 -- whose Test debut predates Staniforth's 1999 World Cup appearance against the US, but the fire within him to play for Australia hasn't dimmed.

"That's still the goal although I'm not sure where I stand in the pecking order now I'm getting older," he said.

While Staniforth, the Force's inaugural player of the year in 2006, will be missing against the Blues, his centre partner Ryan Cross will be back in the side after missing the Reds trial to attend the birth of his second daughter. It is unclear, however, who will be his midfield partner.

Junior Pelesasa has seniority but former Melbourne Storm battering ram Josh Tatupu is being seriously considered because of his physical presence.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015656,00.html

[.X.]

Here's to Scott Staniforth, the most versitile and yet the most under-rated Australian Player and TWF Player of Year: 2006

[Burgs]

Stick with it Stanners, you'll be back to blitz them again mate

[force addict]

Spanna you are a fantastic player. im sure that when you are fully fit you will blitz the games

[jargan83]

In todays newspaper there is a small article in the Super Rugby section that says he should be available for selection next week

[WF2404]

Give him a go at 12 again I say.... He had a blinder in 2006 but hasn't really been given / had the opportunity since. It would look pretty good with

9. Josh Valentine
10. Matt Giteau
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Scott Staniforth
13. Ryan Cross
14. Haig Sare / Nick Cummins
15. Cameron Shepherd

Go spanner you're a legend!!