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Force to prove they're no one-man band
April 17, 2008 - 6:41PM
A desperate Western Force have embraced the challenge of winning without Matt Giteau by looking to dispel the myth they are a one-man band.
The Force enter Friday night's all-Australian derby against Queensland without Giteau for the first time this season, forcing injury-plagued Lachlan MacKay to hold the reins.
MacKay played solidly during the rugged 17-12 loss to NSW after Giteau was carried off after a head knock but he's the first to admit he doesn't boast the same kicking, passing or running abilities.
But former Waratahs and current Force inside centre Scott Staniforth has backed MacKay's game-controlling assets and communication skills to unleash the visitors' talent-laden backline at Suncorp Stadium.
"(Giteau) is obviously a loss," Staniforth said. "He's a world-class player. I think we handled it well last week.
"The side did a top job and were looking forward to proving that we're not a one-man team.
"I think a lot of people think we're Matt Giteau and 14 others so were looking forward to proving that wrong.
"Lachlan is a different player (to Giteau). He's a little more confrontational.
"It's like me playing 12. I've obviously got different strengths and weaknesses to Gits, not that he's got many weaknesses, but you bring something different to the game."
Giteau's injury has also opened the door for Queensland product James O'Connor to make his debut off the bench for the Force.
If he runs on, either at five-eighth or inside centre, O'Connor will become the youngest-ever Super 14 debutant in the history of the competition at 17 years, 286 days.
Staniforth's midfield battle with World Cup tour-mate Berrick Barnes will be a stand-out which the selectors will be sure to study.
Giteau is a virtual shoo-in as Wallabies No.10 and former Test selector Michael O'Connor is one who believes Barnes should play outside him at 12.
The battle of the captains, Nathan Sharpe and James Horwill, in the lineout, hookers Tai McIsaac and Stephen Moore, and the back-rows also present as major highlights.
The Reds are fuelled by their desire to make their 2007 38-3 loss to the Force a distant memory as well as the Force's initial pillaging of their 2005 team, including former skipper Sharpe.
The Force need to win to stay alive in the competition and also haven't forgotten being labelled Queensland B by Eddie Jones at the end of 2006.
"That first year coming here and getting called Queensland B and Eddie Jones stirring the pot, so to speak, probably has made it the biggest grudge match for the Western Force," Staniforth said.
Force No.8 Richard Brown gave the big Reds pack extra motivation when he hinted they may not be able to finish off the game.
"I think they've got a fairly big pack," he said.
"Naturally they're going to be physical but come the 80 minute mark they can waver a bit and if we can take advantage of that, it'll be good."
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