Graham forces the issue

[travelling_gerry]

DALE MILLER, The West Australian
November 3, 2011, 12:29 pm

Western Force coach Richard Graham has promised to have a much more physical pre-season as they eye a breakthrough finals appearance in 2012.

His message to the players was delivered as they properly hit the training track today courtesy of strength sessions, a biathlon and a gruelling yo-yo fitness test.

Graham signalled changes to the way the squad would train after a disappointing 12th-placed finish in this year's Super Rugby competition.

"I felt we probably got it wrong in that we lacked a little competition throughout training last year," Graham said.

"Having recruited differently and planned differently, that will change."

The new-look squad, with 13 recruits including former Blues back Winston Stanley, had been eased into their first week of pre-season training until today.

"The first three days it's been a bit of a soft start, a lot of medical screening, introductions within the organisation, so it starts properly today," Graham said.

"I'm sure the boys will tell you at the end of the day that we're fair dinkum."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ces-the-issue/

[GIGS20]

Good to hear, don't break anyone, and for God's sake don't tell us about breaking all sorts of records in preseason, all I want to know about is success in the regular season!

[mudskipper]

Sounds like Graham is putting out the challenge to pack... I do think now with a longer super season teams can play into gear avoiding undue preseason injuries... unless the force have a lot of Australian conference games early which they need to get good results...

[James]

Brumbies first up. Hahaha. Then Reds and then Hurricanes. Three good teams who will be good to come up against early. Brumbies and Hurricanes will take at least a few weeks to get going with their wholesale squad changes and the Reds will likely be a bit vulnerable of over expectation in their first home game after a physical encounter against the Tahs.

[GIGS20]

Brumbies first up. Hahaha. Then Reds and then Hurricanes. Three good teams who will be good to come up against early. Brumbies and Hurricanes will take at least a few weeks to get going with their wholesale squad changes and the Reds will likely be a bit vulnerable of over expectation in their first home game after a physical encounter against the Tahs.

I thought we had the measure of the reds pretty much all year last year. The difference was, they put the performances together when the chips were down and we didn't. There were far better teams on paper than both of us

[shasta]

I just hope Robbie doesn't take Ma'afu to Europe so Graham can punish him into shape like Dunning. Put poster sized photos of him in every pie shop in WA reading

"DO NOT FEED the PROP"

[hertryk]

Is our Captain still injured? I wonder if he needs me make his energy drink...be his driver.....????..

[travelling_gerry]

[mudskipper]

Brumbies first up. Hahaha. Then Reds and then Hurricanes. Three good teams who will be good to come up against early. Brumbies and Hurricanes will take at least a few weeks to get going with their wholesale squad changes and the Reds will likely be a bit vulnerable of over expectation in their first home game after a physical encounter against the Tahs.

we've got you covered.. i look forward to the match... ... remember more tries...

[James]

I doubt you do. It is about time the Force won a season opening game.

[GIGS20]

we've got you covered.. i look forward to the match... ... remember more tries...

Will you be at the ground?

oops, sorry, forgot myself for a minute there!

[The Oracle]

Quite a few broken players already they tell me.

Hopefully we have enough fit players for the trial games.

[James]

Like who?

Has anyone been to training recently? Anyone not training who should be?