Luke Jones signed by Melbourne Rebels

The Australian is reporting that 2009 gun schoolboy Luke Jones is leaving the Force and joining the Rebels.

Young Luke was offered a rookie contract for 2010 which was unusual. Normally star schoolboys are given a pro Academy contract at best and a rookie contract the year after.

Maybe he didn't like it in Perth, maybe the Force didn't think much of him - I have no idea, but this kid will be a Wallaby one day and I'll have a notional wager that in a few years time Force fans will regret his leaving.

I was hoping that he would come back to Sydney if he left Perth, but he's not, and I wish him well.

we certainly might.. But the fact is luke was probably not going to get a look in for a while so it was probably best for him... I don't think anyone here will be to upset if the rebels raid our stocks... Remembering that the force did the same thing when they first started
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---------- Post added at 07:03 ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 ----------

I should rephrase ... Noone here has justification to be upset.. No doubt there will be noses out of joint.
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Luke Jones was 5th in line to a lock spot he'd probably be 3rd at the Rebels. They have more money to offer him too (they need him much more than we do). A bit of a shame but certainly no drama.

That is a huge loss.
Sharpe has maybe one or two more seasons. After that we have only really Hocking, Stanford and Wykes. Jones was the next generation after that.

But it was known that players would sign with Melbourne so good luck to the kid.

There will be other young promising locks- its the finished products that are the biggest losses. Apparently his Australian Schoolboys locking partner was equally as good (better in the air but a bit less physical around the field) then there is this years crop and the next and the next. No worries.

The Rebels are starting to look a bit like (give or take a few speculative signatures):

1. Laurie Weeks
2.
3. Matt Dunning
4. Luke Jones
5. Adam Byrnes
6.
7.
8. Gareth Delve

9. Richard Kingi
10. Danny Cipriani
11. Mark Gasnier
12. Ben Tapui
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Lachie Mitchell
15.

I doubt it was the Force that cut him - they thought enough of him to give him a full contract and even his first S14 cap (and it hasn't been the locks getting injured). It would have been his call, these things happen and I hope everything goes well for him.

I'd suggest that, even though it's a huge loss, if Jonesey's the biggest signing they make from the Force I'll be happy.

Thanks for rubbing our nose in it Lee
Luke Jones who?
We have an army of young @rse kickers coming through the ranks. I hope the door doesn't hit him in the @rse on the way out