Super 14 Preview - Force
Everyone expects the westerners to improve this year, myself included, by how much being the $64 question. Currently holding the wooden spoon, the first half of the 2006 season can virtually be ignored as a new franchise got to grips with a professional competiton after starting from nothing, and by the time the end came around they had a draw with the Crusaders to boast about and a 1-1-1 record on the SAF road trip.
On the personnel front, a few starters are lost – prop Fitter to England and Welborn to the beach; how their replacements fare in a tight 5 that was competitive at times is one thing to watch. Out in the backline, they have recruited some serious firepower with Giteau, Mitchell and Cross, and fitting all these pieces in the backline puzzle is no 2 on the list.
I may be wrong, but I suspect Giteau has been recruited to start at 10 – maybe not initially, but he will be there eventually. With Staniforth being made vice-captain, he’s not budging from 12 or 13, they haven’t paid Cross to come and sit on the bench, and the first choice back 3 is obvious. First-five was a problem area for the Force last year, and I don’t think Hilgendorf is the solution.
It looks quite an exciting backline, so the Force’s fortunes hinge on ball from the forwards and service from the half – here first-season signings Fava and Henjak need to show more than they did last year. But their Achilles heel may be the tight 5 or perhaps more correctly, the back-up behind the starters.
So while they will improve, I don’t think they will leap into semi-final contention in Year 2 but they are going the right way.
Prediction: 5-8 and definitely not easybeats.
Player to watch: Nathan Sharpe – the captain needs to lead the pack. Get the backs enough ball skipper!
On the personnel front, a few starters are lost – prop Fitter to England and Welborn to the beach; how their replacements fare in a tight 5 that was competitive at times is one thing to watch. Out in the backline, they have recruited some serious firepower with Giteau, Mitchell and Cross, and fitting all these pieces in the backline puzzle is no 2 on the list.
I may be wrong, but I suspect Giteau has been recruited to start at 10 – maybe not initially, but he will be there eventually. With Staniforth being made vice-captain, he’s not budging from 12 or 13, they haven’t paid Cross to come and sit on the bench, and the first choice back 3 is obvious. First-five was a problem area for the Force last year, and I don’t think Hilgendorf is the solution.
It looks quite an exciting backline, so the Force’s fortunes hinge on ball from the forwards and service from the half – here first-season signings Fava and Henjak need to show more than they did last year. But their Achilles heel may be the tight 5 or perhaps more correctly, the back-up behind the starters.
So while they will improve, I don’t think they will leap into semi-final contention in Year 2 but they are going the right way.
Prediction: 5-8 and definitely not easybeats.
Player to watch: Nathan Sharpe – the captain needs to lead the pack. Get the backs enough ball skipper!
Labels: 2007S14
posted by Rob Crawford at 8:52 AM
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