Western Force coach John Mitchell has refuted suggestions of a player revolt as the team prepares for the upcoming Super 14 season.
As the players gathered for the Force's pre-season training on Tuesday, Mitchell answered the rumours by saying he had no idea where they were coming from and that he doesn't believe there is any truth to the stories that are floating around.
"I'm not sure where it's coming from and it doesn't really worry me to be totally honest. I'm the head coach of this club for the next three years and I'm preparing for 2009," Mitchell said.
"We are all refreshed and looking forward to a pre-season with a totally different approach. Guys have started testing which is an important basis for us to move forward physically."
Mitchell said none of his players had raised any concerns with him about his coaching style.
"There is always paper speculation with some of it truthful and some rubbish. I've officially received no feedback from the players in that area but as an organisation we all have to evolve and that includes myself, the players and the administration as we go forward into a new campaign," he said.
"We always have a player review process with frank and honest communication with my captain and vice-captain, which is normal and will happen again this year. There's always some player-coach conflict in any sporting club but it's just about how you manage that from within."
Mitchell knows full well that only on-field success will quieten these types of rumour and innuendo surrounding the Perth-based club and that's where his focus remains.
"The Western Force is about succeeding ahead of individuals and we have a great opportunity to do that," he said.
"We continue to get smashed through speculation and it's unfortunate that we have to handle that but the only thing that does the talking is results on the field, so that's where our focus is."
Mitchell summed it up best when asked what he's like to work with by quipping, "I'm fair and pretty tough."