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Force be with us
Opinion from Greg Clark, Host Fox Sports Rugby:
When it was announced that Australia would field a fourth team in the Super 14 competition, some critics were quick to question whether we had enough depth to put another competitive team on the paddock. Those same critics will now be saying, "I told you so".
I'm happy that we have a fourth team despite the lack of success from Perth. Players like Gareth Hardy and David Fitter are getting a start and our front-row stocks are growing. Loose forwards Luke Doherty, Matt Hodgson and Richard Brown are also getting a chance at the elite level.
Matt Henjak is no longer warming the bench for the Brumbies and if we didn't have a fourth team all those young backs wouldn't be gaining valuable experience.
It's an interesting argument. Force has too many youngsters, but without a fourth team, it wouldn't get the chance to develop the skills of those players.
I hope the Perth fans give John Mitchell and the team the time it takes to build a competitive side. On paper it looked like a reasonable team, but nobody counted on so many injuries in the early weeks.
Having said that though, they have let themselves down badly in the basic skills department. Control the ball and things will improve dramatically.
FOX SPORTS