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Bret Harris From: The Australian March 09, 2011 12:00AM
THE Melbourne Rebels are said to be interested in injured Western Force outside centre Mitch Inman for next season.
The hard-running Inman has a link with Rebels assistant coach Damien Hill, who coached him at Sydney University.
There were rumours yesterday that Inman had already agreed to move to Melbourne. Asked whether the speculation was correct, Inman's manager, his brother Dane, said: "We can't confirm or deny it.
"At the moment we are focused on getting Mitch back on the field for the Force."
If Inman leaves Perth, the Force will have to intensify
its search for another outside centre.
Queensland outside centre Will Chambers is coming off contract and would be a target.
The Force has already lost Inman for up to six weeks after he dislocated his right elbow in the side's loss to the Sharks in Perth last Saturday night.
Inman's sidelining was compounded after his replacement, Rory Sidey, was suspended for three weeks for a spear tackle on Sharks winger Odwa Ndungane.
Former Waratahs and Brumbies outside back Alfi Mafi is likely to start at outside centre for the Force against the Blues in Perth on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, one of the foreign players the Rebels tried to recruit, Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis, will oppose them when the unbeaten Sharks take on Melbourne on Friday night.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AAP
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226018022705