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Two of the Emirates Western Force big men, Tom Hockings and Richard Stanford, have committed to the Perth-based outfit by signing new two-year contracts.
The second row duo is secured to the WA side until the end of the 2011 season, with both finalising their new deals this week.
Hockings, who was one of the team’s finds of 2008, has rebounded strongly from off-season shoulder surgery to appear in all six matches for the ocean blues this season.
The 23-year-old lock from the north Queensland town of Proserpine represented Australia at junior level before making a breakthrough performance in the absence of ill-stricken captain Nathan Sharpe in the Super 14 season opener of last year.
Hockings’ discovery was a major boost for the team, adding size and athleticism to the locking division, but that was soon complemented by the addition of Stanford who joined the side from the Brumbies at the end of 2008.
Originally from the NSW country town of Wellington, Stanford joined the Emirates Western Force after two seasons in Canberra, where he earned six caps.
After signing with the club for the 2009 season last October, the 22-year-old eventually debuted in his new colours against his former team in the stunning 25-16 win over the ACT side in February.
Starting on the bench on that occasion; two weeks later he made his first run on appearance at Super 14 level in the 23-all draw with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
RugbyWA General Manager, Rugby, Mitch Hardy said the signing of the two young forwards was a significant milestone for the club.
“We’re delighted to have secured both Tom and Richard for the next two years and we’ve clearly demonstrated that both players are considered important squad members as we build for the future,” said Hardy.
“Both are young, athletic forwards and while Tom has been here for a couple of seasons, Richard has certainly made an impression in his limited game time so far this season,” he said.
“We hope to have more signatures on contracts over the coming weeks but securing two more of our talented youngsters on the back of Sam Wykes’ announcement last month is a good sign for the organisation.”
FACT FILES
Tom Hockings
Position: Lock
Physical: 199cm, 112kg
Age: 23 (Born 22/2/1986, Bowen, QLD)
Super Caps: 16
Super Points: 10 (2t)
Super Debut: 2008 v Sharks, Durban
Representative Honours: Australian Under 19s 2005, Australian Under 21s 2006-07
Richard Stanford
Position: Lock/Flanker
Physical: 198cm, 110kg
Age: 22 (Born 25/4/1986, Dubbo, NSW)
Super Caps: 9 (3 for EWF)
Super Points: 0
Super Debut: 2007 v Chiefs (for Brumbies)
Representative Honours: Australian Schoolboys 2003-04, Australian Under 19s 2005, Australian Under 21s 2005-06