Force lose coach and players in shake up

Perth Super 14 team Western Force has had a shake up as four players and a coach have either left or been told they won’t be needed.

Probably the biggest blow for the Force is that set piece coach former Wallaby and assistant coach Ben Darwin has quit and cited personal reasons for the decision.

The Age in Australia is reporting that Darwin said, “I just need some time off.

“Everyone has been so supportive, but it has been very hard. I always wanted to be someone who tried things.

“It is not that coaching is not for me, I just think it is not for me right now.”

Darwin was nearly paralyzed in the 2003 World Cup semi-final where the Wallabies beat the All Blacks at Telstra Stadium.

On the players side of things the flying winger Gavin DeBartolo, Ben Ward, prop David Te Moana and halfback Vitori Buatava have all been told that they will not be needed for the 2007 Super 14 series.