Force Departures

[the gambler]

THE threat of Waratahs fullback Sam Norton-Knight heading to Japan after this Super 14 season will mean the NSW Rugby Union intensifying its campaign to snare Drew Mitchell from the Western Force.

Leading the Mitchell push yesterday was Waratahs captain Phil Waugh, who said of the Test utility back: "We want Drew here. That's no secret."

Following Matt Giteau's decision to leave the Force and return to the ACT Brumbies next year, Mitchell, a close friend, is deliberating whether to also depart Perth at the end of the season. Mitchell has told colleagues he is not sure whether to stay at the Force or go.

Although the Brumbies are the early favourites to lure Mitchell, the possibility of Norton-Knight leaving to play overseas suddenly makes the Waratahs a highly attractive option.

The Herald has been told several Japanese clubs have shown a keen interest in Norton-Knight, who in 2007 signed a two-year deal with the Waratahs.

While the Waratahs will endeavour to retain Norton-Knight, the lucrative money likely to be offered the former Test player by the Japanese, and even the Europeans, could easily tempt him away from NSW.

If Norton-Knight goes, this opens up a secure fullback spot for Mitchell. In contrast, at the Brumbies, competition for the fullback position is more intense, with Mark Gerrard holding on to the No.15 jersey, while the Test fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper is instead in the centres.

The Waratahs are also eager to lure Force midfielder James O'Connor, if he is among the exodus of players who are expected to follow Giteau back to the east. Sources last night told the Herald that if O'Connor left the Force, he would be interested in either the Brumbies or Waratahs. The Reds would probably not be an option.

Waugh, who on Friday night against the Highlanders in Sydney will play his 100th Super match, spoke glowingly of Mitchell yesterday.

"Drew would enjoy it here," he said. "He would enjoy Sydney, playing here at the Football Stadium, and enjoy the company of the guys. It would be a good move for him.

"He is playing good football in Perth, and it is a really good opportunity for him to come here and join what is a developing back line. If the guys can stick together over the next period of time it will be one of the more dangerous back lines in the competition. From his point of view, this is a pretty attractive place to come to."

Waugh added that O'Connor "would also be welcome".

"Sydney is a great place for a young bloke," he said.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey reiterated that both Mitchell and O'Connor were in his sights.

"They're both talented young players, and if they are off contract, then they'd be people who we would consider ? definitely," he said. "But I'd imagine that the other teams would be keen to talk to them as well."

While Hickey is expected to name today an unchanged line-up to play the Highlanders, a back-line reshuffle is possible. The Waratahs coach said it was imperative that the fitness of their centres Timana Tahu and Rob Horne was closely monitored.

"There are a couple of players we are cautious about," he said. "But we feel confident that most of them will be available. There are some players who have carried injuries through into the start of the season, such as Timana, who had the hamstring injury, and Rob Horne, who is coming back from a long seven- [to] eight-month rehabilitation from a groin injury. You have to manage these so that they don't become injuries again."

Waugh added he was eager to improve the Waratahs' quality of play on Friday night, after two ugly first-up victories.

"[We] feel as if we haven't played a lot of football yet," Waugh said. "We're under no illusions that we are going particularly well, as in the games so far we haven't really hit our straps."

So JOC (James O'Connor) is going to the Reds, as is Mitchell while SNK is either staying or going to Italy.

 

[formeropenside]

So once again, the Tahs can't find any home grown talent and have to poach Queenslanders! :lmao:

 

[Ash]

I'm waiting for the speculation on Pocock and Brown for the following year...

Cross is surely worth some big biccies overseas too and at 30 this year(?) might be seriously thinking of heading off.

Seriously, this is all speculation and the Force might retain all its players other than Giteau.

But, funnily enough, I feel no sympathy if the other teams rape them. And I'm sure I won't be alone. Wonder why.

 

[Ash]

Here we go, from rugbyheaven:

Force players off contract this year:
Matt Giteau
Drew Mitchell
Richard Brown
AJ Whalley
David Pusey
Tamaiti Horua
Junior Pelesasa
Josh Valentine
Nick Cummins
Luke Holmes
Tai McIsaac
Pat O'Connor
Haig Sare
Richard Stanford
Sam Wykes

Players on contract next year or beyond:
Nathan Sharpe (2011)
Ryan Cross (2011)
Matt Hodgson (2011)
Troy Takiari (2010)
Scott Daruda (2010)
Chris O'Young (2010)
Josh Tatupu (2010)
Dane Haylett-Petty (2010)
Kieran Longbottom (2010)
Cameron Shepherd (2010)
David Pocock (2010)
Scot Staniforth (2010)
Gareth Hardy (2010)

Players who have an option to stay built into their contract:
James O'Connor
Tom Hockings
Pek Cowan

 

[fatprop]

I would prefer to keep SNK or get Betham back home, the Tahs need a lock, not another non tackling back.

 

[formeropenside]

I would prefer to keep SNK or get Betham back home, the Tahs need a lock, not another non tackling back.

But he's got such great hair!

 

[Ash]

SNK would be a loss, he fits the Tahs backline nicely by adding a second ball player.

Anyway, the Force have just loudly announced they've retained Wykes:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25099732-5002381,00.html

I'll bet the Force will be desperately trying to sign as many as possible ASAP. Wykes may be just a squad player, but for the Force, it's a start. I guess.

 

[Lindommer]

So once again, the Tahs can't find any home grown talent and have to poach Queenslanders! :lmao:

And how many players from the Premier State are there in the Reds squad? Go on, count 'em.

 

[formeropenside]

So once again, the Tahs can't find any home grown talent and have to poach Queenslanders! :lmao:

And how many players from the Premier State are there in the Reds squad? Go on, count 'em.

I don't go carrying on how NSW produces 65% of the Wallabies - if thats the case, why the hell do you need Queenslanders? Because NSW-men generally suck, or those that have talent cant get recognised (Latham, Blake, possibly Edwards and Weeks - just think, Tilse was more wanted by NSW than those 3 combined!). And once we heard Byrnes punched Dunning at training...well, Qld had to have him then.