The Western Force still searching for a quality playmaker

[travelling_gerry]

by: Jamie Pandaram From: The Daily Telegraph January 23, 2012 9:00pm




Missed opportunity: The Force missed out on signing former NRL player Craig Wing.
Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE Western Force's search for a star five-eighth suffered another setback after missing out on former NRL star Craig Wing.

The Force approached Wing hoping he could have a Perth stint in between his commitments with Japanese club side NTT Communications, but were foiled by the airtight conditions placed on his contract.

Wing is playing in Japan as an Asian-qualified player through his Filipino mother, allowing his club to bypass the limit of three foreign players on the field at any time. Under the terms of his contract, if Wing plays in any other country he would automatically lose his Asian eligibility status and jeopardise his lucrative deal.

The Daily Telegraph understands Wing's contract with NTT Communications is worth more than $700,000 per season.

The Force have been on the lookout for a new playmaker since the sudden resignation of Willie Ripia on January 10 after he allegedly stole money from teammates to feed his gambling addiction.

"We inquired about Craig but the stipulation of his contract won't allow him to play anywhere else," Force coach Richard Graham said. "I am exploring all avenues, and Craig is a very good quality footballer."

Graham will use halfback-turned-playmaker James Stannard as his starting No. 10 for the opening rounds of the competition.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rug...-1226251694907

[Burgs]

Bit hard to "miss out" on someone who was never available, they just love to paint the dramatic when it comes to the Force!

[Rex Messup]

It's not a shame at all that the Force missed out on a "washed up" mungo

Chucky played the best rugby in the 10 jersey last season than any previous fly half to play for the Force

He brings energy, speed, creativity, deception and team play

Back the boy

It would also be useful to develop some juniors rather than hire mercenaries and washed up mungo has-beens / he-never-wazzes

Crain Wing.........phhhhhhhhhht. Dodged a bullet

[James]

Abso bloody lutely.

[shasta]

Abso bloody lutely.

Was it the washed up mungo bit or Chuck @ 10 bit that was abso bloody lutely.

I agree with both too ;-)

Just another slow news day @ the Telecrap.

[qld supporter]

Imagine how this makes Chucky feel....?

[jt12]

chuck is the man..

[RumourMonger]

Chucky is straight up, no ego, just a quietly spoken and hard working guy.

We have our No.10.

EWF should be focussing on preparing our local youngsters like Kyle Godwin to support Chucky and cover him in case of injury etc. We don't need these ring ins.

Chucky is only a little guy but so is O'Connor, Giteau etc so size should not be a factor. He showed he has the skills at 10 last year and I'm sure the Force fans will applaud the fact that a guy was plucked out of the Perth club competition and is wearing the Force jersey and performing brilliantly. The NZ teams didn't know what to make of him as he sliced thru their defences.

Have I missed something? Can someone explain the logic of chasing former league players; we aren't desperate, we have a good squad in place and training well today in Perth.

[Burgs]

Imagine how this makes Chucky feel....?

Like a pro sportsman hopefully QF
It isn't a directly applicable quote, but has come to mind a few times in recent days, "You have to beat the best to be the best". That applies within teams as well as between teams.

[jono]

i can see where the force's recruitment attitude is coming from. we dont have a SPECIALIST 10 at the moment. stannard is the go. but i think we need a marquee for a year or so to back him up. or fo him to back up and learn from. if he is going to stay at 10.

he had all this time in 9 and playing 7's. but he'll be ok. he just needs support. what we could do as well as getting another 10 for a year, is get a specialist backs coach. who was a 10.

[Nipper]

I can't imagine that a washed-up mungo would be effective at arguably the most difficult (in the tactical and decision-making sense) position on the field.

And I certainly don't think that you'd want to stake your team's fortunes on an unproven player like that. You know how successful all those other mungo converts have been - and they've mostly been stuck out in the back three!

[qld supporter]

I think he has,is and will continue to perform as a proffessional, but the confidence, support and belief shown you by team management is a powerful motivator. I can't wait for this season to kick off, a tighter playing group who will put team success ahead of individual achievement
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[Rex Messup]

Rugby in Japan is like playing under tens

NTT Communications offered me a contract

I turned it down........not enough coin

$700,000 gets you an hour trip on a train out of Tokyo

You're proper farked if you want a beer

[GAFFA]

http://m.watoday.com.au/rugby-union/...125-1qgpb.html

If this guy is looking for a sea change we should push to sign him.
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[James]

Too much of a kicker. We don't have a marquee spot. This year will be making the best with what we have got. Force should angle for Matt Toomua when the wheels fall off the Brumbies this season.