After adding the final pieces of the puzzle to their coaching structure, the Western Force will turn their attention to bolstering their Super Rugby playing squad over the coming weeks.
Former Bath and Stade Francais coach Steve Meehan and ex-Queensland Reds strategist Phillip Fowler will link up with the Force for their 2013 campaign, joining new head coach Michael Foley and forwards mentor Nick Stiles in an impressive brains trust.
Former Wallabies assistant manager Chris Webb has also joined the Force to oversee the franchise’s professional program as high performance general manager.
The Force have failed to reach the finals since their inception in 2006, and only narrowly avoided the wooden spoon last season.
Foley says it’s time for the franchise to draw a line in the sand, and believes he boasts the coaching structure to lift the Force to a sustained period of success.
As it stands, the playing squad lacks vital star power, even with the recent acquisitions of South African five-eighth Sias Ebersohn, scrumhalf Alby Mathewson and former Wallabies centre Sam Norton-Knight.
Foley said he would add up to five more players to the squad over the coming weeks, but backs coach Meehan warned it would take time to get the new combinations firing on all cylinders.
“You can’t just sit out here and start talking about playing a Harlem Globetrotters type of rugby,” Meehan said.
“But there’ll be skills and combinations we can build and that will give us opportunities to change the way we’ve attacked in the past and make us more challenging.
“A lot of the backline will be relatively new to one another, so we’ll have to bed it all down. But it will open up. I’m sure it will be worthwhile waiting for.”
It’s understood backline players Rory Sidey, David Harvey and Jordan Rapana have been told their services are no longer required, with the Force eager to inject fresh talent out wide.
“The guys who are leaving us are good young men. There’s no issue with them as people,” Foley said.
“But it’s about bringing some level of diversity to the backline and some points of difference that Steve can work with.”
Stiles, who is the only remaining member of the Force coaching structure from last season, admitted it would be a tough task replacing retired lock Nathan Sharpe and departed flanker David Pocock.
Fowler, a qualified psychologist, played a key role in devising game plans for the Reds’ 2011 title-winning campaign.
The former Wallabies and All Blacks adviser, who helped Reds five-eighth Mike Harris post a record 24 consecutive goals last season, has been handed the role of rugby strategist at the Force.
Brett McKay
Expert
of course, he could miss both spots..
Red Kev
Guest
Nice negotiating position to be in.
Brett McKay
Expert
Kev, Owen wasn't in the Rebels squad announced last week, but they also only announced 29 players. In addition, they listed lengthy Ins and Outs, and Owen doesn't feature in the Outs, so I wonder if he might be in line for the 30th spot at the Rebels still/as well as Qlds??
Red Kev
Guest
I know this is a Western Force thread, but I have nowhere else to ask the question: Has anyone heard confirmation that Jono Owen has taken the 30th spot (and 4th prop spot) on the Reds roster for next year? I know Shepherdson has been released and Anae has been promoted to the senior squad, but not having a 4th genuine prop would be a risk given the rules next year require 2 props on the field and 2 on the bench.
sittingbison
Guest
news seems to be Pakalani got injured in Shute Shield so is not going to be signed. Yes, Seymour looks to be cut. No, Junior Rasolea injury seems to be not as bad as mourned and is retained. Assuming 3M is going to sign, there are two spots left on the main roster. And there is a Development Player still available. No Pakalani means they definitely need a wing flyer (they have plenty of size with honey badger and Dellit). A really big lock would be good, but given they have 3M they should use the development spot for a passing 12.
gaffa
Guest
this is how the squad is looking. Props 1. Pek Cowan 2014 - Wallaby Caps 2. Tetera Faulkner 2013 3. Kieran Longbottom 2014 4. Salesi Ma'afu 2013 Wallaby Caps Hookers 5. Nathan Charles 2014 6. Ben Whittaker 2013 Locks 7. Toby Lyn 2013 8. Sam Wykes 2013 9. Phoenix Battye 2014 Flankers/8’s 10. Richard Brown 2014 - Wallaby Caps 11. Matt Hodgson 2013 Wallaby Caps 12. Lachlan McCaffry 2013 13. Ben McCallman 2013 Wallaby Caps 14. Chris Alcock 2014 Halfbacks 15. Alby Mathewson 2014 Marquee Player Spot All Black Caps 16. Brett Sheehan 2013 Wallaby Caps Flyhalfs 17. Sias Ebersohn 2014 Development Player Spot 18. Kyle Godwin 2014 Inside Backs 19. Winston Stanley 2013 20. Chris Tuatara-Morrison 2014 21. Nick Cummins 2013 Wallaby Caps 22. Will Tupuo 2013 Outside Backs 23. Pat Dellit 2013 24. Alfie Mafi 2013 25. Sam Norton-Knight 2014 Wallaby Caps 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. Rumour Signings Hugh McMeniman Wallaby Caps Affa Pakalani 3 Spots left If rumours are to be believed and 1 can be a Development player EPS 1. Mick Snowden 2013 Halfback 2. Salisi Manu (unconfirmed) Prop 3. Walton (unconfirmed) Lock/Flanker 4. Hinderbrand (unconfirmed) Hooker 5. Ben Seymour has been released and Junior Rasolea is not on that list because it looks as though he will not be in the squad due to failing his medical test.
sittingbison
Guest
they have to go through the squad. The mix is not right between potential, development and experience. And they need a couple more real quality players. Unfortunately when a team has underperformed three years in a row, players must change. And When you get new coach like Meehan, you have let him bring in the type of player that can fulfill his strategies. What we do NOT need are mercenaries, or crocks wanting a retirement package. That's why I am a bit dubious with 3M, due to his injury history and time out of S15 level rugby. We also desperately need a "no dickheads" policy. The good thing with Alby and Sias are these guys have a thing to prove, they are both proud and highly skilled but been overlooked back home. They want and need to perform. Same thing with Tuatara-Morrison, he is desperate to prove himself more than any other factor, and is grateful at being given the opportunity at Force to do so.
sittingbison
Guest
They were full at 30, but have freed up four places on the playing squad and one space on the EPS. It is rumored that 3M and Pakalani will be on the playing squad. If so that leaves two playing spots, and we can still have one more International Development Player to supplement Alby Mathewson (Marquee) and Sias Ebersohn (Development) for one of those. Props are Cowan and Longbotham who both went well last year, and Manu on EPS who showed raw potential and Faulkner as backup. Downside is they still have Maafu. Hookers are Cheese who matured last year, and Whittaker who was injured all year, Locks are Wykes and Lynn with Battye in reserve. They are ok but lightweight. They need a spare who is much bigger - 3M? Flankers are the depth of the pack, Hodgo, Browne, McCalman and new signing Alcock are experienced and more than capable. Excellent back up in McCaffrey. Not sure on Cottrells situation. Scrum halves are Alby and Sheehan in reserve. Very happy here, Alby might be just what we want, and Sheehan offers experience and starch off the bench. Unfortunately Turner has done his knee AGAIN and is out for the season, so not contracted on the 30 player roster. Fly halves are Sias Ebersohn and Kyle Godwin and Ben Seymour. Fingers and toes crossed this will be the first time EVER we have quality and depth in this position. It has been an unmitigated disaster area from 2006 when McKay went down. SKN can be a back up as well. Inside centres are new signing Chris Tuatara-Morrison (who we are excited about), Winston Stanley and hopefully the Development player. SKN is a backup here as well. Outside centres are Tupou who did quite well last year after overcoming a long term injury, Pat Dellit who we rate and won best new player in 2011 but was injured long term last year as well. Cummins also developed nicely last year. Wings are Cummins who I think will really blossom if he gets a couple of games in the Wobblies, Junior Rasolea, Dellit, Mafi and perhaps Pakalani? There is a strong rumour Rasolea might be badly injured and will be released (which is one of the spare spots) Full backs are Alfi Mafi who really matured last year, and SKN. We need a really fast winger. We have big guys like Cummins and Dellit, but need pace. We need a really big lock, all three are less than 115kg, and only Battye taller than 198cm. Is this 3M? Starting XV: 1 Cowan 2 Cheese 3 Maafu (sigh) 4 Lynn 5 Wykes 6 Browne 7 Hodgson (C) 8 McCalman 9 Alby 10 Sias 11 Dellit 12 Tuatara-Morrison 13 Tupou 14 Honey Badger 15 Mafi 16 Longbotham (can play both sides) 17 Whittaker 18 Battye 19 Alcock 20 Sheehan 21 Godwin 22 SKN McCaffrey looks a very likely prospect to put pressure on Browne and McCalman. This might all change with three or four new signings like 3M, Pakalani and Development Player, plus another very fast wing or giant lock.
freddie
Guest
I have heard that Foley told a number of players with contracts for next season that they didn't feature in his long term plans and if they found another club he would not stand in their way. Sidey and Harvey obviously did not want to hang around where they were not wanted and it looks like Sidey was quickly picked up by the Rebels. The others not wanted who stayed will be in for a long season. I am not sure about the Rapana situation but I would expect there is a get out clause for a club to get rid of a player with a long term injury. Foleys treatment of players is epitomised by his treatment of Sarel Pretorious. Woo him over to the Tahs as the marquee player then tell him he is not wanted after one season.
jameswm
Guest
Hey SB, how is the squd looking by position? How many spots in their roster do they have left to fill?
Justin2
Guest
So KPM is everything you are writing about Rapana from what you have seen or have you just read this 5 tries in 5 matches and labelled the next coming? It appears you don't really know or have seen much at all of him yet in every post about possible players he is mentioned. Your words like "supposed" or I tried to find out on wiki" sounds as though you would walk straight past this bloke in the street yet you have gone a Foley bash because he has been cut...
sittingbison
Guest
An inception member, I was at wits end with Quokkagate then Graham. Mitchell lost the changeroom in 2009, and Graham destroyed in short order whatever strides had been made. I was very upset with the Chieka fiasco then getting Foley after the Tahs horrendous season, basically at wits end ready to chuck it all in. However, Foley has said and done everything right since being appointed. The Board are approaching this as a relaunch, for the first time publicly declaring great dissatisfaction with the last few years performance. They have appointed seriously well credentialed hardened experienced professionals to positions that best suit them and take advantage of their skills. Of course it remains to be seen, but for the first time in years I and I know many others in sea of blue are quietly confident we are at last being serious and heading in the right direction both in professionalism on and off the field, and the style of rugby suited to WA. Meehan, Chook and Webb look the real deal, Alby and Sias look the real deal in halves, Godwin has blossomed in past few months as well. Just what the (Freo) doctor ordered.
sittingbison
Guest
Foley is not the coach KPM, Meehan with Stiles are the coaches. Foley will have almost nothing to do with the playing department.
sittingbison
Guest
It's not just him KPM. They had a full roster, they waited until the whole coaching jigsaw was in place and analysed what players in what position were surplus to requirements. Another thing you fail to realize is they have had to hold off these official announcements for two reasons, first is waiting for ARU to ratify contracts, second and more important is they had to wait for the AFL finals to be over so they could get some media coverage. FYI the first 10 sports pages for past two months have been 100% AFL with Dockets making a run at finals then both teams winning first week.
Jnrn
Guest
Rapana isn't as good as u make him at to be kpm just cause he scored five tries in five matches in league don't mean diddly squat it wat wingers in league do stand on there wings and wait for the kick or the pass they don't do much else and have a look how he scored most of them was from kicks bombs if I remember then again most Ozzie wingers seagull around like a few of the Ozzie forwards
sittingbison
Guest
It would have been interesting to see what he could offer KPM, but in reality he went on sabbatical to USA for two tears to be a Mormon preacher, then promptly broke his leg pre season. So he has not played a single minute of competitive rugby of any level for three full seasons now. Perhaps that is something the new Force coaches considered when looking at the roster, and the requirement to rebuild the whole franchise. A luxury gamble they cannot afford to take at this moment.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Meehan and Fowler are the 'ramrod' for Foley guys -they are the 'insurance' if Foley's team starts losing a few in a row -then it will become Meehan's and Fowler's team
jeznez
Roar Guru
Fowler in particular seems an excellent appointment. Foley is an excellent set piece forward coach but at the Tahs he displayed little of the requirement of a head coach to deliver clear game plans - except for kicking the ball away incessantly. Fowler was reportedly responsible for a large part of the tactical play and different gameplans of the Reds in 2011. I'll be watching with great interest to see if Foley can take his plans onboard and build a flexible team.
jeznez
Roar Guru
KPM, I did read that line and immediately think that you wouldn't be happy!
Blue Blood
Guest
Matt Hodgson wrote on just this topic for the Roar. As a born and bred Australian talent surely his opinion means something. The cream will always rise to the top in Australia regardless.