The Henjak/Sare Saga

[laura]

me too, means they will have less money to spend on other things and they will still get penalised.

[fulvio sammut]

At Paly we sell halfbacks to the Force BDGF, we don't buy 'em.

[brokendown gunfighter]

At Paly we sell halfbacks to the Force BDGF, we don't buy 'em.

I thought it was a swap?

[PerthGirl]

No news on Channel 9, they are saying the tribunal could go on well into the night!

[laura]

channel 7 says half way through and they had pictures of Sare arriving, seemed to look ok after the surgery.

[GIGS20]

I'd think we won't hear much until the late news....then it'll be on for young and old!

You'll see the true colours then, Ten seems to be helping balance the spin a little bit, allowing for the contracts to remain and have a hefty fine/suspension deal going. Even they said Matt can kiss a wallabies jersey goodbye though!

All I hope is that whatever decision is made tonight is announced in such a way as to not be open for the rampant criticism that has surrounded this incident from the beginning!

[jargan83]

Channel 10 news said to expect a decision by 7:30 tonight. Remember the late news is on a 2 hour delay over here, don't know about sports tonight??

[Jehna]

Fulv do you think there would be much point in releasing them of their contracts? I mean it seems pretty clear to me that the Force will sign them both again...

[Jehna]

Henjak has other options

By Wayne Smith
February 19, 2008

TROUBLED Western Force half-back Matt Henjak could end up playing against his current side for a South African team if his Australian rugby contract is terminated Tuesday night.

Henjak and Force teammate Haig Sare appear before a Perth tribunal charged under the Australian Rugby Union's code of conduct following an incident at a Fremantle bar nine days ago that left Sare with a broken jaw and Henjak with his career in tatters.

Former Force chief executive Peter O'Meara, whose son had his nose broken when allegedly assaulted by Henjak while driving him home from a Christmas party in 2006, yesterday pleaded for the former Wallabies halfback to be shown some leniency.

Yet indications are that if the tribunal, headed by former Perth District Court judge Robert Viol, finds Henjak guilty, the player's long history of alcohol-related disciplinary problems could finally catch up with him.

There is a very real possibility his contract could be torn up. Should the door be closed on him playing in Australia, Henjak would have two options, to try to secure a contract with an overseas club or switch to league.

When asked about potential playing destinations for his client, Henjak's manager Greg Keenan yesterday refused to speculate. "There's a hearing on tomorrow night and it's premature to talk about that now. We're confident that Matt will still be playing with the Force for the balance of the season," Keenan said.

Nonetheless, it is rumoured some league clubs already have been sounded out about picking up Henjak if his rugby contract is terminated or he receives a lengthy suspension. Although rugby league agreed to recognise rugby's two-year ban on Wendell Sailor, that was because both rugby codes are signatories to the WADA code.

But Henjak's circumstances are markedly different and if he was shut out of rugby or simply walked away from it, there would be nothing to stop him immediately joining a league club.

The nephew of former league great Ivan Henjak, he played the 13-a-side code in Canberra until the age of 14. Ironically, any league club prepared to sign him on now might secure him for second-tier money, about $50,000 or a quarter of what he is believed to be making at the Force, yet over the past three years Melbourne and Cronulla both failed with big-money offers to lure him back to league.

NRL boss David Gallop indicated yesterday the league would consider registering Henjak if he made the approach. "But we'd want to understand if there are any issues there and, if there are, how he is addressing them."

Although Henjak's rugby options are shrinking, he still could command significantly better money by remaining with the code but moving abroad.

Japan, where Henjak's former Brumbies halves partner Stephen Larkham is about to resume his own career, would be the most favoured destination, although there would be nothing to prevent him from joining a Currie Cup team and, ultimately, a South African Super 14 team.

Unlike Australia, which bans all foreigners not eligible to play for the Wallabies from its Super 14 teams, South Africa has no such restrictions. French five-eighth Frederic Michelak is on the Sharks' books this season, and former All Blacks five-eighth Tony Brown is with the Stormers.

But the push for transformation in rugby could undermine Henjak's chances in South Africa because halfback is the one of the few positions in which quality black players are emerging in numbers.

England is out because Henjak would have needed to play for the Wallabies over the past 18 months to qualify for entry - the last of his four Tests was in 2005 - while Ireland is fast closing the door on imports.

Realistically, that leaves only France and Italy as European destinations for Henjak.

O'Meara is hoping it doesn't come to that. "I've probably got a bigger axe to grind than most where Matt is concerned," O'Meara said, referring to the incident in which his son Liam's nose was broken. "But I don't want to see his life ruined."

Additional reporting: Brent Read

[laura]

abc news just said that it should be known this tribunal does not have the power to tear up a contract, they can only impose a fine or suspension. they can recommend (for want of a better word) that the contracts be ripped but it must be approved by rugbywa and/or aru.

[PerthGirl]

No verdict yet on ABC, reporter said that the tribunal can't make the descision to tear up contracts only Rugby WA along with ARU can do that. He also said that Force knew what kind of player they were getting when they signed up Henjak then proceeded to list all his wrong doings, nothing positive at all didn't mention he Captained the Spirit, disgusted by that comment

[Jehna]

It's trial by media...

[jargan83]

Weel aren't Waratahs a classy mob

from FOX SPORTS | Sports news Australia | Australian sports

Hands off our half-backs

Bi Iain Payten

February 19, 2008 WITH Matt Henjak's career on the line in Perth at a disciplinary hearing, New South Wales have sent a message to Western Force: "Don't come knocking for a new halfback."

Henjak and teammate Haig Sare will front a Force tribunal Tuesday night over a drunken fight last week, in which Sare suffered a broken jaw.

The feisty half-back faces the sack or at least a long suspension - leaving the Force struggling for options at the scrumbase this year.

Former Force halfback Chris O'Young has reportedly agreed to return to Perth from Glasgow but, the club insists, as a replacement for injured Adam Clarke. With rookie James Stannard the only other No.9 at the Force, the prospect has been raised of one of the Waratahs' three top halfbacks being "traded".

At present, Test aspirants Brett Sheehan and Luke Burgess are edging out Josh Valentine, who played in the NSW second XV at the weekend.

But Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said his response would be "we can't help you".

"You recruit your squad and that's your squad for the campaign," McKenzie said. "We have got our squad and we know better than anyone else and no one was offering us any players.

"That's just life. You just get on with it. What are they going to trade us? There's nothing in it for us.

"We're only one injury away (from needing three), or indeed a change in form. We're very happy with our three guys."

Unlike New Zealand, where all players are centrally contracted, Australian players cannot be moved by the ARU.

[jargan83]

It's trial by media...

isn't it always??

As Tim Gossage said as Lauchie read was leaving the news "Their feeding the vultures" in reference to the someone giving the media sandwiches while they await the outcome at RugbyWA

[Flamethrower]

Hands off our half-backs

Bi Iain Payten

February 19, 2008 WITH Matt Henjak's career on the line in Perth at a disciplinary hearing, New South Wales have sent a message to Western Force: "Don't come knocking for a new halfback."

Henjak and teammate Haig Sare will front a Force tribunal Tuesday night over a drunken fight last week, in which Sare suffered a broken jaw.

The feisty half-back faces the sack or at least a long suspension - leaving the Force struggling for options at the scrumbase this year.

Former Force halfback Chris O'Young has reportedly agreed to return to Perth from Glasgow but, the club insists, as a replacement for injured Adam Clarke. With rookie James Stannard the only other No.9 at the Force, the prospect has been raised of one of the Waratahs' three top halfbacks being "traded".

At present, Test aspirants Brett Sheehan and Luke Burgess are edging out Josh Valentine, who played in the NSW second XV at the weekend.

But Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie said his response would be "we can't help you".

"You recruit your squad and that's your squad for the campaign," McKenzie said. "We have got our squad and we know better than anyone else and no one was offering us any players.

"That's just life. You just get on with it. What are they going to trade us? There's nothing in it for us.

"We're only one injury away (from needing three), or indeed a change in form. We're very happy with our three guys."

Unlike New Zealand, where all players are centrally contracted, Australian players cannot be moved by the ARU.

The Force should put this in a safe place. The day will come when it can be used.