0
Wallaby Richard Brown will return to WA club rugby this weekend when he turns out for Cottesloe in the KWIK Senior Competition Minor Semi Final against Wanneroo at Lark Hill on Sunday.
Brown, who started at Number 8 for the Wallabies against South Africa in their Tri-Nations encounter in Perth on Saturday, has been omitted from the match-day 22 selected for this weekend’s international against the Springboks by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
At the direction of Wallabies coaching staff, the 11-Test veteran was asked to play club rugby, and nominated to return to WA to play for Cottesloe.
As he had not played club rugby anywhere in Australia in 2009, Brown was granted a dispensation by RugbyWA under Rule 11(3)(a) to allow him to play for Cottesloe. He has been registered with the club since 2006.
Wanneroo and Cottesloe to go Head to Head
Image Courtesy of Matthew Greenfield | Perth Sports Photography
Brown will be joined in the side by Emirates Western Force Academy halfback MarkSwanepoel, who has been plying his trade with University of Queensland in recent weeks.
Swanepoel has played four games for Cottesloe in 2009, satisfying the requirements of the competition rules to play in finals.
Rugbywa CEO Vern Reid said the return of Brown was a major boost for the competition.
“Richard is an outstanding player, and he will raise the standard of the KWIK Senior Competition Premier Grade to a higher level,” Reid said.
“The decision to grant him dispensation was not taken lightly, and was made without reference to the clubs involved in the fixture (Cottesloe and Wanneroo). We ensured that no parties from either club were involved in the decision.
“Richard is a strong supporter of club rugby in WA, and we’re very happy that he has chosen to play club rugby here rather than in Sydney.”
The Premier Grade Minor Semi Final between Cottesloe and Wanneroo kicks off at 3.30pm on Sunday at the Lark Hill Sports Complex in Rockingham. Nedlands and Palmyra will contest the Major Semi Final at the same venue at 3.30pm on Saturday.