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Cooper key to Anesi move
- Bret Harris
- From: The Australian
- June 11, 2010 12:00AM
WESTERN Force has expressed interest in former All Black outside back Sosene Anesi for next year's Super 15 season.
However, the level of its curiosity could be determined by Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper's decision on his future.
The Force is waiting to see whether NSW Waratahs re-sign Anesi for another season before deciding whether to make him an offer.
Significantly, Anesi would take up the Force's marquee import spot, which means it would need an Australian or an emerging foreign player to play five-eighth.
Former Springbok Andre Pretorius was meant to play five-eighth for the Force this year, but sustained a season-ending injury.
After playing Sam Harris and James O'Connor at five-eighth, the club eventually filled the position with former All Black David Hill.
Pretorius is trying out for a place in the Sharks squad, while Hill has returned to Japan.
The Force could play O'Connor at five-eighth next year and Anesi at fullback, but is still hopeful of luring Cooper from Queensland Reds.
"We are interested to see what Sosene Anesi is doing," Force chief executive Vern Reid said.
But Reid said the Force's priority was still to secure a five-eighth.
"We have had an offer on the table for Quade for three months," he said. "It's up to Quade. Number 10 is the spot we have to fill."
The club is confident of re-signing fullback Cameron Shepherd and is renegotiating with centre Ryan Cross.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225878160448