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Flanker Angus Cottrell wants to continue his burgeoning Super Rugby career with Western Force.
Speculation has been rife the Reds are trying to lure him back to Queensland but Cottrell, whose form has made him a bolter for the Wallabies, said Perth was now home.
"My first preference is to stay here with the Force," he said as he prepared for Saturday night's clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
"I've been here three years. It is my home. I enjoy living here, I love playing rugby here."
Ironically, Cottrell was signed by former Force coach Richard Graham, who defected to the now- struggling Reds.
"There have been some tough times here but it's nice to be winning," Cottrell said.
"We have built a very strong culture.
"I've got a lot of mates here and that is certainly something that helps in negotiations."
The tenacious 24-year-old has slipped easily into coach Michael Foley's plans, ripping into packs and putting on some memorable tackles.
He was caught behind Ben McCalman and Richard Brown last year but is now one of the first-up receivers carrying the ball strongly into crowded traffic.
"I've always enjoyed big tackles. It's always been a part of my game," Cottrell said. "Foles has worked on other areas of my game. He has a big emphasis on the contact area and showed me where I could do better.
"Confidence is a big thing. I'm in my third year and I have taken more of a workload than I did in the past.
"We are playing a lot of patterns where I am involved as main ball carrier from set piece. I'm enjoying that. I'm enjoying the way we are playing."
Cottrell has a strong Wallabies heritage. His grandfather "Notchy", 86, is the oldest living Wallabies captain, but he has no thoughts of an Australian call-up.
"Obviously growing up as a kid you dream about it but it is just about playing well for the Force and playing my best rugby at the moment," he said.
"I'm more worried about this season. I'm not thinking about the Wallabies."
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has brought Springboks Johan Goosen and Coenie Oosthuizen into his run-on side. They replace Elgar Watts and Maks van Dyk, who go to the bench.
Winger Raymond Rhule is named but if he does not recover from an ankle injury he will be replaced by Springbok sevens player Cornal Hendricks. Teboho Mohoje makes his run-on debut in the back row.
"I've been here three years. It is my home. I enjoy living here, I love playing rugby here."" *Angus Cottrell *
Great news hope they sign him up quick!
I've never been so happy to have been proved completely wrong!! That news has totally brightened up this dark & gloomy day!! Yay!!
Great. Hopefully there is so much money tied up keeping Genia & Co, that they can't make him an irrisistable offer.
Wouldn't it be nice to have an unencumbeted slice of a salary cap in these situations.
At least the ARU can't give the QRU a leg-up to close a deal as in past times.
does that mean Alcock is on the outer?
Onya Gus![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
As an interesting side note. I had a chat with Hodgo before they flew out last week. He said that all of the players now see Perth as home or are at least here for the long haul!! We are no longer a stopover or just a pay check. The guys want to be here, so whatever has changed behind closed doors has done the trick. So good work coach and staff!!
Echo all of the above.. AND we actually got a mention on 6IX this morning!!
Well Done everyone, and good on you Angus.. Great Stuff...
Great news, but still too much not said.....
I want to see the contract extension announcement!!
Chris and Gus two very different players/roles.
Both needed going forward as the WA/National cupboard is pretty bare of good open side flankers who are ready for Super XV NOW.
Force currently has great coverage for 6 & 8 but, with CA injured, very little coverage for Matt Hodgson's position.
Where did this story come from?
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Gus is an integral part of the forwards play at the Force and I think he is relishing his part. The team is winning, he had made mates here and he sees a future for himself, why wouldn't he stay?
From the West Australian, here is the link:
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...oted-to-force/