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THE showdown between NSW and the Western Force on Saturday has been given extra spice with revelations the Force is trying to poach Rocky Elsom and Josh Valentine.
And in another contract move at the Perth-based outfit, Force boss Mitch Hardy has urged rising star David Pocock not to throw away a future Test career for the sake of money after the teenage flanker rejected an ARU offer.
Elsom, who is off contract at the end of this year, is expected to decide in coming weeks between remaining in Australia or going overseas.
The Force admits it made the Wallaby flanker an offer last month.
"We did put one in a number of weeks ago and we haven't heard anything since," Hardy said.
"We've just left it for Rocky and the ARU to sort out."
The Force is also keen to lure Valentine from NSW. The former Wallaby halfback has been third-string for the Waratahs for much of this year and the Force needs No. 9 depth after sacking Matt Henjak.
The ARU is waiting to hear from Pocock and his management after the 19-year-old rejected a reported $150,000-a-year offer two weeks ago.
Along with his Force contract, Pocock could earn about $400,000 a year if, as expected, he goes on to play Test football and gets match payments (of $11,000).
Pocock's management is believed to have received at least one substantial Euro-pean offer but Hardy urged the Australia A forward not to walk away from Australia.
"I am not entirely confident he's done the right thing in walking away from the ARU's offer," Hardy said.
"He probably could get a gig overseas but that's not going to do his career in rugby any good.
"He can play for his country in the next 12-24 months, there's no doubt about that. He has to be a little patient.
"I don't think he can afford to look at the short monetary gain over the long-term gain he's going to have with his career in Australia. He could play for Australia for 10 years.
"You are looking down the barrel of another George Smith or Phil Waugh."
Hardy said he had been unable to budge the ARU on offering an improved figure to Pocock. The Reds are desperate to sign Pocock but he is tipped to remain in Perth.
There are suggestions Pocock may re-sign with the Force and back himself to play his way into a better negotiating position later in the year.
The Force is also close to tying up Ryan Cross after using part of its $120,000 wildcard money – provided by the ARU to help re-sign key players above the salary cap – on the centre.
The ARU has also tabled a two-year offer for the in-form Cross, who has received offers to return to league.