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22nd November 2007, 8:15 WST
Expect to see World Cup star Drew Mitchell on the left wing rather than at full-back for the Western Force during the next Super 14 season.
The Force lured Mitchell from the Queensland Reds last year with an offer of greater involvement at fullback but, after plundering seven tries on the wing during the World Cup in France, the speedster is warming to the idea of again wearing the No. 11 jersey in Super 14.
This would clear the way for Cameron Shepherd to return in 2008 to fullback, where his international aspirations lie.
Mitchell said his World Cup experience of finishing second-leading try scorer behind international player of the year Bryan Habana — who played two more games in France — had led him to reconsider his future.
“When you get the ball in space on the wing it becomes very enjoyable,” he said. “If your team’s going backwards and you don’t see the ball then being out on the wing’s not much fun.
“Given the type of game the Force play I’ve come to enjoy the wing.
“I’m happy to play wherever they want me.”
Coach John Mitchell indicated he was prepared to change his thinking from last season and use the two backs in the positions in which they had represented the Wallabies.
“New season, new thinking,” he said. “The team will play a different game to last season and I’ll use Drew and Shep where I think we’ll gain a competitive advantage.
“They’ll be required to prepare for both roles and I’ll make the judgment come the competition.”
The coach hinted he wanted to make the most of Mitchell’s acceleration and exceptional finishing ability out wide.
“Wingers are like soccer strikers,” he said. “When they’re on a streak you want to give them the best chances. You’ve got to look after them when they’re hot.”
The versatility at the back will be mirrored up front, with Pek Cowan and Gareth Hardy switching between prop and hooker at early training sessions.
“We aren’t going to have a third specialist hooker so Pek and Hardy are being trained to fill in if we need them,” Mitchell said.
Tai McIsaac and Luke Holmes are the Force’s two recognised hookers following the enforced retirement earlier this year of Brendan Cannon.
New Zealand NPC scrum-half Adam Clarke arrives from Invercargill today to bid for a Super 14 contract with the Force. Southlander Clarke, who is eligible to play for Australia because of his grandfather’s citizenship, will bid to get the role of back-up to Matt Henjak.
DAVE HUGHES