IT CAME as no surprise that Matt Giteau was recently announced as the new member of the Western Force leadership group. With an eye to the future, and the distinct hope that Giteau is not lured back to the eastern seaboard, he was handed the vice-captaincy role, with the aim being that he will take over as Force skipper when Nathan Sharpe departs.

Apart from Giteau being the obvious candidate, it was also a shrewd move by the Force, especially after persistent reports that their biggest signing could well be lured back to Canberra if certain financial promises were not followed through in Perth.

When the Herald last year revealed that Giteau could be returning home, it prompted mass hysteria in the west, and strange, even feeble, denials. Nonetheless, the Giteau story was far more than just smoke, and certain people who attempted to play down the report were simply protecting themselves. Rugby politics can be a very sneaky operation, especially in the wild, wild west.

The vice-captaincy appointment was also devised to ensure the Force get value for money from an exorbitant three-year contract, emphasising to the player how much they rely on him. That will certainly be the case this year when the Force go into the second phase of their development. This is their crux year, especially with coach John Mitchell admitting that club membership has "dropped off a little bit" while spectators were irritated at being too far from the action at Subiaco Oval - a ground suited to Australian football but not rugby.

Recruitment of the second wave of players from the other side of the country will also be far more difficult than before their first season, when many were convinced that Perth was the future.

As well, the West Australian audience will be demanding success, and continual improvement, of a team which progressed from last in its initial season to seventh last year. That advancement is unlikely to continue though this year, and Giteau will soon discover that so much will depend on him, because all around him are some average conveyances.

There are distinct weaknesses up front, with the Force boasting one of the least impressive packs in the Super 14. There is experience, but glaring frailties, with their back row failing to match those of the other three Australian provinces in calibre.

As well there are several uncertainties in attack, in particular whether they have the right impact players at halfback or inside-centre. The Force have so far been loyal to Matt Henjak, but it is time for the inconsistent No.9 to raise his standards, while the solution for midfield consistency could easily involve moving Scott Staniforth from the wing to No.12.

Sadly, Staniforth as a midfielder is underestimated by too many. Yet in the end, it will all come back to Giteau. He prefers inside-centre to five-eighth, but so dependent are the Force on Giteau that they will really have little option but to use him as their prime playmaker this year.

How he performs there will define the Force's season.

HERALD EXPERTS' TIPS
Greg Growden 9th. Rupert Guinness 7th. Phil Wilkins 9th. Spiro Zavos 9th. Last year: 7th

THE SQUAD: Richard Brown, Pekahou Cowan, Ryan Cross, Nick Cummins, Scott Daruda, Scott Fardy, Scott Fava, Matt Giteau, Gareth Hardy, Dane Haylett-Petty, Matt Henjak, James Hilgendorf, Tom Hockings, Matt Hodgson, Luke Holmes, Tamaiti Horua, Kieran Longbottom, Lachlan MacKay, Tai McIsaac, Drew Mitchell, James O'Connor, Pat O'Connor, Junior Pelesasa, David Pocock, David Pusey, Haig Sare, Angus Scott, Nathan Sharpe, Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, James Stannard, Troy Takiari, AJ (Adam James) Whalley, Sam Wykes