Force to scour the globe to replace Giteau
By Justin Chadwick, 25 Feb 2009
- Tagged:
- John Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Western Force
Western Force coach John Mitchell says the club will attempt to “buy the best in the world” to shore up their Super 14 playing stocks in the wake of Matt Giteau’s decision to return to the Brumbies next year.
Giteau’s exit from the Force at the end of the season could spark a mass exodus from the Perth-based club, with Wallabies duo Drew Mitchell and James O’Connor already contemplating a move east.
John Mitchell, intent on showing the club could still attract the best players in the world, declared the Force would scour the globe in search of a high-profile replacement for Giteau.
Mitchell said 18-year-old O’Connor would be a future star in the No.10 guernsey but needed more time at inside centre to develop his game.
“James is going to be a very good player,” Mitchell said on Tuesday.
“He can play three positions but he’s very young and needs to gain experience and the best way to gain experience is by playing but also being surrounded by a person who does have experience and that’s a solution to arrive at.
“Most of the players that have become great flyhalves in the world, like Dan Carter and Matt, started their careers at 12 and moved into 10.
“It gives them time and space, and also allows them to give voice to their flyhalf and also for them to see opportunities to present themselves.
“So I see in time, as he develops that plus his kicking game, that he can become a very good flyhalf.
“In terms of our capability, we’ve still got a great opportunity to develop players and we’ve got a chance to now buy the best in the world.
“There are people that we are looking at in Australia and also (internationally) through the foreign policy marquee player concept that the ARU have provided.”
With fears that Giteau’s departure could create a domino effect of players leaving the club, the Force received a dose of good news on Tuesday when emerging flanker Sam Wykes agreed to a new two-year deal.
The 20-year-old, who is expected to be available for selection within a month after undergoing shoulder surgery last year, said he was happy to stay at the Force despite Giteau’s looming departure.
“He’s an awesome player and an awesome guy off the field but if I wasn’t happy I wouldn’t have signed for two years, so I’m very happy to stay,” Wykes said.
“Matt’s obviously a marquee player where people want to come play with him, but you’ve got guys like James O’Connor who are coming through and people will definitely want to play with him, so I reckon people might stay around, or should stay around.”
Mitchell said Giteau would play out the season in the No.10 jersey.
“Right at this moment we’ve got to utilise the best flyhalf in the world … we’ve got to maximise the strengths that he provides us,” Mitchell said.
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- Explore:
- John Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Western Force
February 25th 2009 @ 9:27am
LeftArmSpinner said | February 25th 2009 @ 9:27am | Report comment
scour the world?? sounds good but Mr Mitchell wont need a passport. he just needs foxtel. SNK, Halangahu, Leallifano, Toomua, are all frustrated and gifted fly halves. John, look no further. Problme solved.
February 25th 2009 @ 9:44am
pothale said | February 25th 2009 @ 9:44am | Report comment
Be interesting to see how far around the world they’ll travel. What are chances/likelihood they attract someone from NH game? That’d be a turn-up for the books.
February 25th 2009 @ 10:04am
Westy said | February 25th 2009 @ 10:04am | Report comment
I have said elsewhere that we are somewhat kind to the Force management . To have 18 players coming of contract in one season none of who have resigned and one who has definitely left is not the highest order of professional club management.before I worry about a replacement for Giteau I would make sure I have got Mitchell et.al. signed up.
February 25th 2009 @ 10:04am
Westy said | February 25th 2009 @ 10:04am | Report comment
AND I DO NOT MEAN THE COACH!
February 25th 2009 @ 10:14am
True Tah said | February 25th 2009 @ 10:14am | Report comment
Im not too optimistic on the future of the Force. They are losing their best players and playing before dwindling crowds. Invovlement with that joke of a company Firepower is a poor reflection on the business skills of the top brass over there.
If they could, they should definitely move to Members Equity this season. RugbyWA doesnt seem to publish accounts, so I can’t compare them to the ACT, NSW,QRU re: their financial positon, but jesus, it can’t be too pretty at the moment.
What impact has the Force had on the local rugby comp over there? Does rugby have a higher profile in Perth now than it used to?
If they had to sign someone to replace Giteau, the Force should think long and hard about getting Jonny Wilkinson, hes considering a move to play 2nd division in France, he might be injury prone but he is bloody committed, but as a player I reckon he could make a difference to the Force, it would be a big win off the park, Im sure he could help bring a lot more of the massive Pommy base in Perth to the Force.
Having said that, I really dont think the ARU would allow this to happen, it seems the ARU’s agreement is needed in order for the States to sign up a foreign player and can stop it from happening, like they did with the Tahs and the young South African lock.
February 25th 2009 @ 10:41am
stillmissit said | February 25th 2009 @ 10:41am | Report comment
There are some great young players around at the moment and I would be playing O’Connor there a few times this season with Giteau at 12 to see how he goes assuming they are at a position where the finals are not on.
I am not sure about the contract positions of several of these youngsters but it would be worth a look as well as some of the Kiwi’s that are on the fringes. I am sure Mitchell would know about them.
February 25th 2009 @ 10:44am
ren said | February 25th 2009 @ 10:44am | Report comment
TT- the force have raised the profile of union in this state enourmously, it nowgets more than an article a week in the paper including a liftout section on thursday and people now recognise that there are two different rugby codes and can now tell the difference. The force weren’t the only club involved with firepower, others included sydney kings and south sydney.
Sure the force’s financial position is falling but wasn’t it significantly stronger than the other clubs to begin with. Next season the force are playing out of the old perth oval (now a rectangle)
i’m not the most avid rugby follower but will support the force anyway, however i am curious as to why there seems to be a strong disliking of the force from those over east, almost a desire to see them fail with no recognition for what they have achieved for rugby’s profile in the west.
February 25th 2009 @ 10:49am
Westy said | February 25th 2009 @ 10:49am | Report comment
Ren the ARU will not let the Force fold and i have no doubt on development issues they are succeeding. my aim is for their management. 18 players of contract and scouring the world for one is perhaps the wrong emphasis. Be warned if they need to aquire a star to keep the rest then trouble will follow.
February 25th 2009 @ 10:52am
marty said | February 25th 2009 @ 10:52am | Report comment
tru tah; the establishment of the force has had a massive impact on the profile of rugby in WA, and i am not sure that has a lot to do with the PR team at RugbyWA, which at many times seems almost non existant. five years ago we were lucky to get a single peice of super 14 news in the evening or weekend programs, and even news coverage of the wallabies was minimal.
now however it seems there is more interest from the general public, and although there still isn’t enough to sate my appetite, there is a lot more covereage in the media of all s14 teams and rugby news, not just the force.
heck, even the departing giteau stated that when he first arrived they were lucky to get a few rugby fans recognise them, whereas now even AFL supporters often come up and say hello.
on the other point; a big signing might renew interest in the club, however i think the combination of actually winning most of their home games, and a better ground for viewers would do much more than that.
it is the catch 22 of the professional team; sign a big name and hopefully win games and draw crowds (while having constant fear that they will look to the next pay-check once their contract is done), or establish and develop a base of local talent that might see you at the bottom of the ladder for a few years, but breeds a sense of club/state loyalty. while the former obviously looks at instant success, the latter looks to build an ongoing platform to build off.
February 25th 2009 @ 11:48am
Who Needs Melon said | February 25th 2009 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Westy, good point. Funnily enough I think this comment by Mitchell was probably intended to reassure other players that the Force are going to remain a strong team: “Don’t leave! We’ll still be good – we’ll be even better!”. You can also see it being used in the recruitment speech: “Look Mr Halangahu, we’re in the process of scouring the world and have identified YOU as a potential candidate”. I agree with you though – the Force have always put too much emphasis on their “star”.
Tongue in cheek: What about Michelak?