Gareth Hardy signs for Leeds

[normie]

Good luck Boof; Will be missed.

[tragic]

ARGH! Au revoir, Boof!
Hope to see you back on our paddocks some day.

Jeez....

[BaldCunus]

good luck big fella... hopefully mean more game time for longbottom and takari though!!!

[Timbo]

Bugger - another Force original gone! Catch you on the flipside, Boof when you come back bigger and better!

Yep - down to two of original run ons Sharpie and Hodgo and 3 of original 20 - add Brown dog.

Thanks for the service Boof - Last of the Foundation Props!!

[travelling_gerry]

Western Force lose prop Hardy to English side Leeds

Article from: PerthNow

Nick Taylor, rugby writer

June 20, 2009 06:30pm
THE Western Force has lost prop and foundation player Gareth Hardy to English Premiership newcomer Leeds.

Hardy, 28, has suffered injury setbacks in the past two seasons and faced the prospect of playing behind new Wallaby Pek Cowan next year.

"I'm happy for Pek but I want to play rugby. I don't just want to train and watch," Hardy said.

"I would've loved to have stayed in Perth for a couple more years. I've loved playing for the Force and I think I'll be leaving as a better player than when I arrived.

"I think I've contributed a fair bit as an inaugural player and that makes it hard to leave, but that's the nature of sport."

The Force could not guarantee Hardy an immediate answer on a new contract when his previous one ended this season.

"I really couldn't hang around waiting to see what could happen and the opportunity came up to play for Leeds," he said.

Signing Hardy is a bonus for the Leeds club as he has an English passport - his father is English - which means he will not count towards the club's allowed overseas quota.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," said Hardy, who played for Australia A in 2007 and was tipped to make the full squad before he broke his ankle.

Leeds coach Neil Back was particularly pleased to sign Hardy, who been approached by other English Premiership clubs.


http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005403,00.html

[brokendown gunfighter]

If only he'd learnt to Hook...

Goodluck mate, all the best and thanks for helping found pro Rugby in WA

Thats what I thought was going to happen Burgs,my unamed sauce told me they were going to convert him into a hooker

[Burgs]

People close to him have been suggesting it for a couple of years I'm told Gunny.

[Elf1]

All the best Boof, good luck in Leeds. Hope to see you back in Force Colours one day.

[AndyS]

"I'm happy for Pek but I want to play rugby. I don't just want to train and watch."

"I would've loved to have stayed in Perth for a couple more years. I've loved playing for the Force and I think I'll be leaving as a better player than when I arrived.

"I think I've contributed a fair bit as an inaugural player and that makes it hard to leave, but that's the nature of sport."

"I really couldn't hang around waiting to see what could happen and the opportunity came up to play for Leeds."

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

How nice is it to see quotes that are just plain spoken and honest? Well done Boof, and all the best.

[James]

It'll be a great experience for him. Leeds has become a much nicer city since the government over there started pumping money into re-developing it. Its definitely becoming more cultured and is a lot less pretentious than London.

[BDAVEY]

Cant blame for leaving gee we have a good stock of props for 2010.

Is the lock OConnor staying???

FA I hope Browny goes well aganist the frogs on Sat. be a great test for him

[James]

Not sure about Pat O'Connor. He was playing in the NSW club comp last weekend. He is off contract too. So maybe the Force officials will see how he goes over there before deciding on whether to reoffer him a spot.