Dunning on brink of Force move

[BaldCunus]

Justin Chadwick

"We would have a great front-row trio there in (hooker Tim) Fairbrother, Dunning and (Pek) Cowan," Hardy said.

Say What???? I thought he was a prop???

[Timbo]

And the Wallabies are struggling to find someone who can play loosey as well as tighthead???

Now THAT is versatile!

[mudskipper]

Just a thought... but she could play Flywife for the Force next season....

I hear she was a 10....

[travelling_gerry]

I heard 12

[Timbo]

And just in case anyone needs reminding of the size of the rugby brain on this prospect:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAvMKkC1kjA[/ame]

[James]

Say What???? I thought he was a prop???

He is, Justin Chadwick just doesn't know what he's talking about. Nothing new from Rugby Journos. You wonder what the quality of the guys who didn't get the job was!

I can see it now: Matt Dunning 1998 World Cup winning fullback for Australia has signed on with the Western Reds today.

[blueandblack]

Dont have one.

Maybe an opportunity?

but we do have Jesters....

[shasta]

Matt Dunning 1998 World Cup winning fullback for Australia has signed on with the Western Reds today.

[BaldCunus]

Dave Hughes in todays west says force hope to seal a deal today, also say almost certain fitzpatrick will follow if he does sign as dunning has been mentoring him at the tahs!!! If dunning stays with tahs force will turn sights to Nic Henderson from the Brumbies.... Maybe its worth putting up with Dunning for a year to secure Fitzpatrick?

[James]

If dunning stays with tahs force will turn sights to Nic Henderson from the Brumbies.... Maybe its worth putting up with Dunning for a year to secure Fitzpatrick?

Definitely. Give Dunning his final years and then let the academy props and Longbottom come into a more full time role. Despite his performance internationally, he has been at worst a reasonable performer in the S14 and the Waratahs scrum has been Australia's strongest for the last few years.

Its a bit of a domino effect really. Recruit Dunning and you recruit Fitzpatrick. Recruit Fitzpatrick, captain of the U20s, and you have a bit more pulling power with other young stars. Richard Brown mentioned when he re-signed that one of the reasons was to continue his partnership with David Pocock. The more highly talented leaders the Force has the more appealing coming west will be. If the Force recruited Fitzpatrick you could argue that we would have a first choice pack made up completely of Wallabies or soon to be Wallabies.

[travelling_gerry]

Strong competition for positions breeds a strong team.

I believe that Scott Daruda's poor development over the last 3 years has been due to him knowing that he could never seriously compete for the #10 jersey.

Bring on donut. And bring on the weekly stouch of the props....or who is going to hook...Whittaker or Fitzpatrick?

The training paddock duel of Sam Wykes and Tom Hocking means that either one is a great partner to Sharpie in the lock position.

Roll on 2010.

[.X.]

My only worry with Dunning is his Achilles Injury - they can either be fixed and fine - or buggered and never to come good again.

[GIGS20]

Bring on donut. And bring on the weekly stouch of the props....or who is going to hook...Whittaker or Fitzpatrick?

Boof's name has also been mentioned, He might be the ace in the hole to be announced after Fitzpatrick has signed!

[Sheikh]

Boof's name has also been mentioned, He might be the ace in the hole to be announced after Fitzpatrick has signed!

May be a bit old to swap positions.

[Burgs]

It is an option being looked at but needs to be acted on VERY soon.
Word is he has one foot in the airport already.