Super 14

Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe says that with 12 new players in their squad, the Force will play to different strengths and this is likely to mean a different style of play.

He expects the Force to focus more on set pieces and on field position and territory, and with the acquisition of a trio of battle-hardened props in Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother and Nic Henderson joining Pek Cowan as front row options, this looks feasible.

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The award of penalties instead of the ELV's free kicks also serves, he says, to encourage less emphasis on running and more on field position.

After losing all but one game in their 2006 Super 14 debut season, the Force finished 7th, 8th and 8th again in subsequent years.

Do they have the personnel at their disposal to end in the top half of the log? Will this be the year coach John Mitchell and skipper Sharpe guide the franchise to a semi-final?

Along with the significant signing of new props, the really key acquisition, perhaps, is that of flyhalf André Pretorius to replace Matt Giteau. Pretorius made his Super 12 and Springbok debuts in 2002, has scored 171 pts in 31 Test matches, and when free of injury, can be skilful, decisive and dominant in the biggest games.

He may not be the consummate magician that Giteau is, but his tactical acumen, astute kicking game, and ability to attack the advantage line, all make him a pressure point for opposition defence systems. How he fares in place of Giteau as playmaker and goal-kicker may be crucial to the Force season.

Strengths: When they gel they offer attacking flair which can make life tough for opposition defences. In Sharpe they have a highly effective, influential captain. The acquisition of three new, strong, experienced props gives them authority - or at least parity - in an area hitherto lacking depth. With Pretorius joining Wallaby representatives like Sharpe, Cowan, David Pocock, James O'Connor, Ryan Cross, Richard Brown, Matt Hodgson and Cameron Shepherd, all of whom have shown they can crack it at top level, they have the chance to develop into a more formidable combination this year.

Weaknesses:  Skipper Sharpe bemoans the Force's lack of consistency of performance, playing like world-beaters one week and then suffering a big dip the following week. Do they have the quality of players beyond their Wallaby stars? Are their youngsters ready for Super 14? These are real potential weaknesses.

Noteworthy signings: Pretorius to fill the enormous gap left by Giteau. He and scrumhalf Brett Sheehan (from the Waratahs) could form a match-winning halfback pair. Mark Bartholomeusz, a Super 12 winner with the Brumbies in 2004, then subsequently with Saracens, Ulster and Petrarca Padova (Italy); he can play fullback, flyhalf, inside centre or wing. And in the front row: tight-head Tim Fairbrother, after 58 caps for the Hurricanes, Matt Dunning, a veteran of 99 games for the Waratahs, and Nic Henderson after 70 games for the Brumbies. Sam Harris (inside centre or flyhalf) returns from Japan where he played for Honda Heat after leaving the Waratahs.

Noteworthy losses: The huge loss is their talisman Matt Giteau to the Brumbies. Drew Mitchell has moved to the Waratahs - another big hole to fill. Josh Valentine, having transferred over the years from the Reds to the Waratahs to the Force, is now at the Brumbies. Scott Staniforth and Tai McIsaac are playing in Japan; Junior Pelesasa (to Agen, France), flank Tamaiti Horua (to Ulster), prop Ben Castle (to Newport Gwent Dragons, Wales).

Coach: John Mitchell is one of only three players to have captained and coached the All Blacks. He has achieved success as Sale, Wasps, and Waikato coach, as technical assistant to Ireland, and then as England assistant coach. He enjoyed an 86% winning record as All Black coach. Now in his fifth year as Force coach, Mitchell will be exceptionally keen to translate that experience and success into a winning Super 14 season. With him this year will be Wallabies skills coach Richard Graham, who replaces John Mulvihill as assistant coach. He has enjoyed success previously at Saracens and Bath.

Captain: With a distinguished career in Super Rugby going back to 1998 and a Test career beginning in 2002, Nathan Sharpe has gained great respect internationally as a lock and a leader. He is one of the most influential players and captains in world rugby and the Force team revolves around his considerable presence.

Potential bolters: Though no longer merely a promising youngster, having won the prized No.7 Wallaby jersey from the legendary George Smith, David Pocock is still only 21 years old. He played in all 13 games during the 2009 Super 14 season and went on to make an indelible impression as a Test player. He could be one of the stand-out players in world rugby in 2010. 22-year old wing Nick Cummins, a former Sevens star, was called into the Wallaby training squad in October but a foot injury prevented possible selection for Australia. Luke Jones last year became the first Australian forward signed to a professional contract while still at school. An Australian Schools' lock in 2008/09, he could be used at 6 or 8 as well if he gets to make his Super 14 debut this year. Only 18 years old, he is rated a special talent.

2009 Position: 8th
Best finish: 7th in 2007
Worst finish: 14th in 2006
Home Venue: moving from the Subiaco Oval to M E Bank Stadium (Perth) (capacity 21 165)

2010 Prospects: They may not be in the mix when the tournament gets to the semi-final stage but they will cause problems for some of the log-leading teams and score at least a few impressive victories. If their frontline players can keep on playing week after week, they could conceivably finish in the top half of the table for the first time.

Western Force squad (provisional):
Backs: Mark Bartholomeusz, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Sam Harris, Stefano Hunt, Dane Haylett-Petty, Mitchell Inman, James O'Connor, Chris O'Young, Andre Pretorius, Joelin Rapana (Academy), Haig Sare, Brett Sheehan, Cameron Shepherd, Mark Swanepoel, Josh Tatupu, Justin Turner (Academy). Forwards: Richard Brown, Pek Cowan, Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother, Nic Henderson, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Luke Jones, David Pocock, Kieran Longbottom, Filipe Manu (Academy), Ben McCalman, Nathan Sharpe, Richard Stanford, Ryan Tyrrell, Ben Whittaker, Sam Wykes.

Schedule:
Friday, February 12: v Brumbies, home
Saturday, February 20: v Hurricanes, away
Saturday, February 27: v Chiefs, home
Sunday, March 14: v Reds, away
Saturday, March 20: v Waratahs, home
Saturday, March 27: v Bulls, home
Friday, April 2: v Stormers, home
Saturday, April 10: v Highlanders, away
Saturday, April 17: v Blues, away
Friday, April 23: v Crusaders, home
Saturday, May 1: v Lions, away
Saturday, May 8: v Cheetahs, away
Friday, May 14: v Sharks, away

By Len Kaplan