Force sign All Blacks No.9
All Blacks scrum-half Alby Mathewson will be the Western Force's international marquee signing for next season.
The Force have been in talks with the Auckland Blues' No.9 for some weeks, as revealed in _The West Australian _ earlier this month, and will today announce that they have secured Mathewson for one year.
He will be new Force director of coaching Michael Foley's second signing since taking charge. Foley secured the signature of flanker Chris Alcock from his former club NSW Waratahs last week.
Mathewson will bring much- needed speed to the Force back line when he pairs with overseas development signing, fly-half Sias Ebersohn, who will leave the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs after the South African Currie Cup competition.
Foley will now have to decide whether to retain Josh Holmes, who was signed midway through last season on a short-term contract, or Justin Turner, who has had limited games after being hit by several serious injuries since representing Australia in the 2010 world junior championships.
Last season's first-choice scrum-half Brett Sheehan has already signed a deal for the 2013 season.
The Force still have at least one vacancy in their senior squad of 30 and are expected to fill it with their second overseas development player who would sign for at least two years.
Australian Super Rugby clubs can sign their marquee player only on a one-season contract.
Mathewson, 27, has made four appearances for the All Blacks. He joined the Blues from the Wellington Hurricanes in 2010 and has played more than 80 Super Rugby games. He is off contract with the Blues but is still the starting scrum-half for Auckland's ITM Cup provincial competition side.
He was the 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 Player of the Year.
�Force winger Nick Cummins could make his Wallabies debut against South Africa in Perth in the September 8 Rugby Championship clash.
Coach Robbie Deans is waiting for results of an ultrasound on Drew Mitchell's right ankle, injured in Saturday night's crushing 22-0 Bledisloe Cup Test loss to New Zealand in Auckland.
Fly-half Quade Cooper will have scans on his reconstructed right knee after aggravating the joint in the Eden Park Test.