Shortlist for Force job down to two
The Western Force will announce their new chief executive early in the new year.
They have a shortlist of two to replace Vern Reid who announced in October he was standing down after three years in the role.
Both candidates have an extensive rugby background and experience and one is still heavily involved in the game.
The club has kept a tight lid on the names after powerful rugby identity, former Wallaby and Waratah Tony Dempsey, now a dispute resolution lawyer, was touted as a replacement but told RugbyWA board members he would not be applying for the position.
It had been hoped a decision could be made before Christmas but a three-man sub-committee of RugbyWA chairman Russel Perry, president David Redpath and vice-chairman Tony Howarth is still going through the final selection process.
It will now make a recommendation to the full board in the second week of January.
Perry said he was impressed with the standard of candidates.
"There were a number of very strong applicants who ticked all the boxes," he said.
"I'm very happy that things are well advanced and we are in the final stages of the appointment."
The successful candidate is likely to take over in early February with Reid continuing in the job until the handover.
Former Force flanker David Pocock, who moved to the ACT Brumbies at the end of last season, has re-signed with the Australian Rugby Union for three years and is now a strong chance to captain the Wallabies at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
He captained the Wallabies for the first time in the stunning loss to Scotland in Newcastle.
He then led them to a 3-0 home series win over Wales before injuring his knee against the All Blacks in August which required surgery.
Pocock, 24, who has 45 Test caps, made his debut against the All Blacks in 2008 and has twice been a nominee for the IRB international player of the year award.
"We are very pleased to be able to have David available for the Wallabies not only for next year's Lions Tour but also the next Rugby Championship series and quite possibly the next Rugby World Cup in London in 2015," acting ARU chief executive Matt Carroll said.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...b-down-to-two/
