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McMeniman plots World Cup bid
Wayne Smith From: The Australian June 05, 2010 12:00AM
JAPAN-BASED Wallabies utility forward Hugh McMeniman has sounded out the Australian Rugby Union about a 12-month contract.
If granted, it would allow him to return home next year to make a last-ditch bid for World Cup selection.
The 26-year-old lock or blindside flanker recently started a lucrative contract with Kubota but, like another former Queensland and Australian lineout ace Daniel Heenan, has explored the possibility of securing a short-term release from his club to have a crack at the World Cup squad.
An ARU spokesman said yesterday McMeniman had been told the ARU had no interest in providing him with a top-up to a one-year contract but the 21-Test veteran could join an Australian franchise on a standard Super 15 contract.
Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie indicated yesterday he was not excited by the prospect of a one-season February-June return by McMeniman but Rebels chief executive Pat Wilson held out some hope that the Melbourne franchise was open to the idea.
"In terms of our forwards, we're just about done and we're happy with the roster we've assembled, but we'd always be happy to talk to a player of McMeniman's standing," Wilson said.
Indeed, signing a senior player to a one-year deal would have a certain appeal to the Rebels. Because they are a start-up franchise, they have had to sign just about all of their players to two and three-year deals, which gives them little flexibility with their roster.