Hapless Force sink deeper into the quicksand they're built on

[James]

my point was, that the Force have had a crap scrum from day 1, yet it hardly seems to have improved at all in that time. Why would you trust John Mitchells rugby brain if that is the case? maybe he just doesnt have a very good plan or concept come scrum time.

I think Mitch realised when he toyed with players like David Te Moana and David Fitter that they could at best get parity in exchange for a massive loss of work around the field. So either we would lose by being belted in the scrums or lose by being belted at the breakdown and through missed tackles. What do you choose? And yeah perhaps we should've tried to pick up a player like Ben Coutts who were pretty good all rounders but perhaps he realised the Wallabies thing wasn't going to happen and wanted the money of Europe over playing in Australia. Force management did try to find a decent marquee prop for 2009 but by the time the ARU got their act together pretty much anyone worth having was locked in to a contract. Hopefully Trevor Woodman (if he does end up coming) will be able to teach our guys a few tricks and our biggest weakness might be reduced a little.

[Burgs]

Must be getting close to the start of the season, the gloves are coming off again

Re Props, was very impressed with the scrummaging, work rate and all round "mongrel" of Pek Cowan on Friday night.
I believe that '09 will be the season he realises the potential recognised when he was first recruited as the best prospect in his year in world rugby.

In Australian Rugby I think it will be a coming of age for Ben Alexander as our #3 to pair with Greg Holmes' #1. Holmes being mobility with power and Alexander being power with mobility. Would be delighted to see either of them in WA.

On Friday night, as expressed in my first class faux pas at later on that night, the scrum was best in the first third (Cowan-McIsaac-Whalley) and faded rapidly in the second (Hardy-Homes-Takiari) and third (Can't remember the final combination, I think it changed a few times, Longarse no doubt came on and I think they tried an Academy player who had had a blinder in the earlier match).

There were some decent signs to be seen however we won't be in the finals on that performance so plenty of work still to be done over the next couple of weeks.

[slomo]

indeed burgs , I've always been a supporter of greg holmes...... But it all down to whether or not he can have an injury free season...... Holmes , moore and alexander is the combination I'd like to see
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[Bronski Beat]

chiselhead that's the most sensible post you've made lately......
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Chis actually understands the game VERY well, you would be well served actually reading his posts................ (read between the lines)

[AndyS]

There were some decent signs to be seen however we won't be in the finals on that performance so plenty of work still to be done over the next couple of weeks.

And hence the interest in Fairbrother I guess, although the timing seems odd - presumably for next year. I think we should still be looking for specialist scrum support though, even at this point of the season. It is a pity Woodman declined, but perhaps from the Wallabies coaching staff?