Force a Super franchise in the balance
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The date was April 28, 2012, and life was good for the Western Force. Sure, they were struggling near the foot of the Super Rugby table. And sure, they had just copped a 17-3 hiding at the hands of the Stormers.
But all that didn’t matter, because star Wallabies halfback Will Genia had just agreed to terms with the franchise for season 2013 and beyond, and Force skipper David Pocock was poised to re-sign.
Fast-forward to the present day and the Force are a franchise in crisis.
Genia reneged on the Force deal in order to stay at the Reds, Pocock jumped ship to the Brumbies, veteran Nathan Sharpe retired, and coach Richard Graham defected to Queensland.
Michael Cheika’s decision to reject the Force head coaching role was an extra slap in the face.
It’s left the Force with no coach, no captain, no spiritual leader and a playing list bereft of any X-factor players.
Sure, they still have a creditable forward pack.
But forwards set the foundations – not win you games.
Blokes like James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper and Genia do that.
Pocock’s defection is the biggest blow the Force have ever been dealt.
The Force have lost star players before, like O’Connor who joined Melbourne last year, but they’ve never lost a player like Pocock.
The 24-year-old has arguably surpassed Richie McCaw as the world’s best flanker.
But it’s Pocock’s standing off the field that will be equally missed.
Star players can be replaced in time, but star human beings are worth their weight in gold.
Pocock was a figure the Force wanted to build their squad around – both in terms of talent and attitude.
Now the Force must start again.
Last season reaped just three wins from 16 games.
That’s unacceptable for a franchise that’s been in the competition for seven years now and should be going from strength to strength instead of finishing second last on the table.
With Pocock, Sharpe and Graham all gone, it seems doom and gloom at the moment right?
Well you could argue it kind of is, but it’s never healthy to be overly pessimistic.
The Force are set to appoint a new coach in the coming weeks, and in turn it is hoped he will be able to lure some top-line players to the franchise.
Although the Force must be hating the Brumbies right now for stealing Pocock, the Canberra-based franchise should also be viewed as a source of inspiration.
When Jake White arrived last year, he tossed out the team’s ageing stars in favour of youthful exuberance.
The Brumbies were meant to be the whipping boys of the competition in 2012, but shocked everyone by coming within a whisker of a dream finals berth.
The problem is, punting on youth normally takes several years before it bears fruit, and the Force simply can’t wait that long.
Appointing a quality coach and snaring some absolute stars are now a priority for the Force.
Their loyal fan base has stuck firmly by the franchise to date, but their patience won’t last forever.
The Crowd Says (12) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 31st 2012 @ 7:51am
formeropenside said | July 31st 2012 @ 7:51am | Report comment
I almost feel sorry for the Force, and then I remember what they did to Queensland in 2005.
Still, I wish Pocock had stayed at the Force.
July 31st 2012 @ 8:45am
Chris said | July 31st 2012 @ 8:45am | Report comment
“Still, I wish Pocock had stayed at the Force.”
Obviously you do. The Brumbies are the only Australian team that can challenge the Reds, so you want them to be as weak as possible.
July 31st 2012 @ 9:00am
formeropenside said | July 31st 2012 @ 9:00am | Report comment
Yes, that is correct.
July 31st 2012 @ 11:10am
Cattledog said | July 31st 2012 @ 11:10am | Report comment
July 31st 2012 @ 12:57pm
Ryan said | July 31st 2012 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Haha that is straight up classic and honest right there
July 31st 2012 @ 9:47am
Justin2 said | July 31st 2012 @ 9:47am | Report comment
Foley to the WF… they need a gun backs coach.
July 31st 2012 @ 11:25am
Blue to the Bone said | July 31st 2012 @ 11:25am | Report comment
We DO NOT need Foley.
We need a fresh coach that has coached outside of Australia. Clearly the current coaching in Australia is not cutting it….why would we want a coach that has turned the Warratahs to a team that is only just as good as the Force?
I say that because if we had of won some of the games we lost by 3 points or less (which there were a few), we would have beaten both the Warratahs and the Rebels in the Aussie Conference.
We have plenty of stars in WA and we end up losing most of them to the Eastern States, once again it comes down to funding for the academy, which the ARU took from us and put into the Eastern States. This competition is biased towards them, the force are struggling and all we get is 1 extra international when the Rebels get 10 or even 8?!?! DO you think thats going to help us?
The one good thing we have going for us is a strong supporter base. Us West Aussies are a loyal bunch, we stick by our teams through thick and thin. BUT if something isn’t done for next season, i’m not sure how long the supporters can last (lets face it there are always fair weather fans at an franchise)
July 31st 2012 @ 11:47am
AndyS said | July 31st 2012 @ 11:47am | Report comment
The Force is exactly what the ARU want it to be. The fans are loyal at the moment, but the rigging of the deck is no longer even subtle and I’m not sure they will hang around once they realise that success isn’t expected, wanted or allowed.
July 31st 2012 @ 10:18am
Happy Hooker said | July 31st 2012 @ 10:18am | Report comment
The last two sentences could just as easily apply to the Waratahs
July 31st 2012 @ 11:20am
Jutsie said | July 31st 2012 @ 11:20am | Report comment
Apart from the “loyal fan base sticking firmly” part
July 31st 2012 @ 12:06pm
Wilson said | July 31st 2012 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
“But it’s Pocock’s standing off the field that will be equally missed.
Star players can be replaced in time, but star human beings are worth their weight in gold.
Pocock was a figure the Force wanted to build their squad around – both in terms of talent and attitude.”
Hmmm I question how much Pocock brought to the club off the pitch beyond media/sponsorship attention. Have you ever spoken to the man? Have you heard him talk? What he says does have substance in his areas of interest. But the man is dull. He is as charismatic as wet cardboard. He is young but you don’t develop a personality and a sense of humour. You have it or you don’t. Pocock was a poor choice for a captain and I think it was done to try and get him to stay. What a terrible reason to make someone captain. At the Wallabies it matters less what you do off the pitch. You don’t need to motivate Wallabies they are already amped. You don’t need to get Wallabies through a long preseason. You don’t have to work on a club culture. You just walk in. Star on the field and be a yes man to Deans. He will do that very well. A Club captain needs to be much more. The Force have had the best first captain and now they need another character to step up and lead. It will be Hodgo.
I’ve already posted elsewhere that I am a huge fan of Foley as a player’s coach. I’m excited if he indeed signs for the Force. Now we do need a backs coach and some big signings. We have the cash just need the players who want to be hear and build a new culture.
July 31st 2012 @ 6:07pm
Crazy Horse said | July 31st 2012 @ 6:07pm | Report comment
… and the ARU to give us a break. We are only asking for the same concessions the Rebels have been given.