Mitchell reveals blonde ambition for the Force future

Western Force coach John Mitchell will reveal his blonde ambition against Chiefs on Saturday night, linking current and prospective Wallaby stars Matt Giteau and James O’Connor in a bold bid to fast forward the club’s future.

Giteau and O’Connor, both diminutive playmakers with flair in their hair and their game, will start together for the first time in Super 14, the Force vice-captain restored at 10 after recovering from concussion and O’Connor drafted in to 12 make the Force midfield less predictable.

While a finals spot is mathematically still possible, the Force have written off their chances - with Mitchell saying the selection of several new faces and new combinations was the start of planning for 2009.

“Our vision is just going to take us a little bit longer,” Mitchell said.
“But there’s two things you can do. You can look backwards and look down at the ground or look to where you want to head.

“It’s important that we play well in the next three games.

“There’s no denying the fact that I was disappointed with the leadership at 9, 10 and 12 against the Reds.

“I think it’s time to start looking at people that are actually going to deliver on a more consistent basis and play the style of football that we need to play to succeed at this level.”
Mitchell said while O’Connor’s selection was an eye to the future, it was not a premature measure.

“We wouldn’t be putting him out there if we didn’t think he could cope. He’s ready to play Super 14,” Mitchell said.
“If we were right in the hunt to contest finals maybe I’d go for a bit more experience, but why wait till next year. It’s important now to get them started so … next year there’s no guessing.”
Giteau said the lack of expectation could bring more freedom to the Force’s game.

“We’ve got a mentality of nothing to lose so these younger guys should be given an opportunity.
“(O’Connor’s) not a big player, but he’ll create a lot on attack and that’s very exciting for a guy like me. Hopefully I’ll get a bit more space with a guy like Jimmy outside me.
“He’ll create a lot, defensively he’s pretty tough although he’s not a big guy, he’s pretty committed and a very competitive guy.
“What he lacks in size he’ll make up for with his attacking abilities.”
With James Stannard restored to scrumhalf, David Pusey adds freshness to the Force pack, replacing the injured Sam Wykes, who had originally taken Tom Hockings place in the second row.

And the already altered Force side changed further with Scott Staniforth ruled out to be replaced by Nick Cummins, and Matt Hodgson swapping places from the bench with Richard Brown.

Young WA-bred prop Keiran Longbottom’s chance on the bench also sent a message to regular starter AJ Whalley, as did Mitchell.

“We just think the workrate around the pitch hasn’t been acceptable for the level where we want to head and it’s time for AJ to shift and improve his performance going forward.

Western Force: Cameron Shepherd, Nick Cummins, Ryan Cross, James O’Connor, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, James Stannard, Matt Hodgson, David Pocock, Scott Fava, Nathan Sharpe (capt), David Pusey, Troy Takiari, Tai McIsaac, Pek Cowan. Reserves: Luke Holmes, Kieran Longbottom, Richard Brown, Sitaleki Timani, Chris O’Young, Scott Daruda, Dane Haylett-Petty.

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