Mitchell calls for more accuracy
February 03 2010
Western Force coach John Mitchell wants to see continued improvement from his team against the Reds at ME Bank Stadium on Friday ahead of next week's season-opener with the Brumbies.
The Force will take 24 players into the trial match with the Reds and Mitchell is using the clash to fine tune some things ahead of the their opening hit-out.
It will also be to give the first run of the season to anyone who didn't play in South Africa, including prop Pek Cowan with only Nick Cummins and Haig Sare unavailable through injury.
"In this match we are looking to become more accurate in some areas of our performance and we will gain again from match situation," said Mitchell on the official Force website.
"We are looking at a few things and naturally want to get a bit more knowledge on some individuals.
"Some haven't had any football like Pek Cowan so he'll be in the 24 and it's important for him to get some football.
"Trial scoreboards mean nothing at the end of the day.
"I spoke in South Africa about having eight 20 minute periods and making sure we maximised each one to get something out of them, and this game will go to two 40s, so the players won't have the drinks break in between and that will increase their accountability on the physical, mental and skills.
"It's a vital hit-out heading into Round One."
Quade Cooper will play with the Reds for the first time on Friday after his off-field dramas, and Mitchell is glad to see the fly-half back in action, but what the opposition does in trial matches is the last thing on his mind.
"It's great to see him back playing football. What he's done in the past I'm sure he'll learn from and he's clearly a very good footballer. It will be great to see him playing here on Friday night," he said.
"I haven't even looked at any of the opposition during trial phase, I'm not even interested.
"Ultimately all we've been looking at is what we've got to do and that's all that matters not wasting our time and energy focusing on the opposition in trials."
The Force recorded a win over the Sharks and loss to the Stormers in Cape Town, but the results meant nothing.
What was meaningful was that all of the new squad members got to travel away together with the team for the first time, bond off the park and then play together in two keenly contested trial matches.
Mitchell was pleased with what was gained out of the trip and the matches, especially for the younger members to see what it takes to play well at Super 14 level.
"The chance to come together as a new group and to have two games within four days put the boys through a lot match situations, so that was a chance to learn quickly in terms of where we want to head in some areas of our game. That was the most pleasing thing," he said.
"The young guys took a big step in their rugby life.
"For a lot of the guys who haven't played at Super 14 level, to disguise them against an academy side here back at home would leave them under a false sense of security, so they've come out of the tour with a reality check of what this level takes.
"The experienced guys had an opportunity to reflect on their performance and headed to the second hit out where they were able to get their teeth into it. We came out of that mini-tournament with everyone playing around 70 minutes."
Mitchell also noticed a change in the interpretation of the referees in several areas in Cape Town, and that looks like it could especially affect Richard Brown, David Pocock and Matt Hodgson at the breakdown.
"At the breakdown they've been very heavy on the tackler not rolling away, which clearly you have to be a lot more compliant in keeping your feet," he said.
"They've been a little bit pedantic on the back lifter at the mauls for blocking the entry of others and then the South African referees was very strong on runners advancing in kick situations.
"That was quite unique for a few of the boys. Loose forwards love to come up from the scrum, ruck or lineout and take off running forward, and to ask them to stop before they are brought onside is a new challenge."