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Western Force battle through troubles to stand united
Article from: PerthNow
Nick Taylor, rugby writer
February 07, 2009 05:31pm
THE Western Force has put on a stoic face over the controversy and in-fighting that has dogged the build-up to Friday's 2009 Super 14 opener.
While some rifts are far from healed and all is not sweetness and light behind the scenes, players have painted a positive picture on the training paddock.
But this has to be the season when the Force proves its worth.
With 17 players off contract this year and another three who could go if they do not take up the contract option of another year, the club could face a tough future.
A good showing this year would go a long way towards convincing some of those players to stay.
And if they can put the problems behind them, there is seemingly no reason why the Force cannot make the finals.
Coach John Mitchell has depth at his disposal in a squad that boasts enough strike-power to mount a real finals challenge.
There may be a sense of pre-season momentum, but there needs to be an air of authority and ruthlessness.
Captain Nathan Sharpe, returning from a career-boosting Wallabies tour, can bring that presence to the team.
Scott Fava may have moved on, but the back row looks strong with David Pocock and Richard Brown improved out of sight.
There is real depth with Tamaiti Horua, desperate to return to form after injury; David Pusey, who fell out of favour with Mitchell last year; and the terrier-like Matt Hodgson all out to prove a point.
The back-line is littered with stars _ Matt Giteau, Ryan Cross, Scott Staniforth, Cameron Shepherd, Drew Mitchell, Junior Pelesasa, James O'Connor, Haig Sare and Josh Tatupu.
There is no doubt Mitchell will play horses for courses in the No.12 jumper, the most difficult position defensively on the field.
But he faces a Catch 22 situation whether to play the experienced Staniforth if fully fit, Pelesasa, Tatupu or the youthful O'Connor, because giving the teenager game time may encourage him to re-sign.
The halfback battle between Chris O'Young and newly arrived Josh Valentine can only be good for the club.
The Force had been on a pre-season hunt for a new tighthead prop.
The NZ Rugby Union would not release main target Tim Fairbrother from the Hurricanes, nor could the Force snare South Africa brothers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis, but it did pick up Ben Castle from Toulon two weeks ago.
He will fight A.J.Whalley and Troy Takiari for the tighthead spot, joining Pek Cowan or Gareth Hardy and Tai McIsaac in the probable front-row run-on side.