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AAP
October 14, 2013, 10:55 am
The Western Force are hopeful of retaining star winger Nick Cummins, while the fate of wayward Wallaby James O'Connor is set to be known in coming weeks.
Cummins is keen to stay in Perth, but is waiting to see what sort of Wallabies' top-up he is offered before making a final call.
O'Connor's future has been in limbo since being dumped by the Melbourne Rebels in July.
The Force seemed set to snap up the 23-year-old, but negotiations stalled following a recent airport incident in which O'Connor was escorted out of the terminal by Australian Federal Police.
After the incident, O'Connor lost his lucrative Australian Rugby Union contract. He also won't be offered an ARU top-up for next year.
Force coach Michael Foley says the Perth-based franchise is still considering handing O'Connor a lifeline.
"Obviously there was an incident here at Perth Airport which tended to send things south a little bit," Foley said.
"But we've continued to talk to James and we're definitely open minded there."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...yward-oconnor/
At least Nick Taylor has asked the important questions this morning![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
From that article it looks as if he's still managed by the the lawyer who laid out the Rugby Brand/ KPI strategy. Hmmmm.
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
...."while the fate of wayward Wallaby James O'Connor is set to be known in coming weeks".
.......I am still convinced he has a different "diary" to everyone else on the planet...![]()
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
The first thing I would suggest to show the "new" James would be to attend pre-season with the Force (or any other team). He may have no other plans in mind, but if he does choose to play this season he needs to be fit. It would also be a good sign that whatever happens - he shows that he didn't "dodge" the pre-season slog.
Very good point Ralto! For all we know he could be knocking back the beers and smoking 20 a day while getting a tan on the beach!
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
well looking at his twitter account he has been doing plenty of training. I do agree though he needs to be part of the group ASAP.
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
Just read in The West that a decision on JOC is likely within the next fortnight - Foles seems really keen on helping him be the best he can be on and off the field & thinks he needs support more than punishment (pretty much what a lot of you guys on here have been saying).
The report also said the Force was expected to announce this week that they have retained Cummins.
Can't find the same article in the electronic version of the West so can't post a link to it, sorry. Will keep an eye out though & post it as soon as it appears.
Good news if all true :-))
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
The West Australian is usually pretty slow to put it's print stories on it's website
Probably due to wanting to sell some newspapers
I can't recall many issues with JO'C's behaviour when he was here the first time. (Which might be due to: a) length of time eroding my memory, b) less media attention for a young player getting into scrapes, c) he's changed into a dickhead in the intervening years, d) fewer opportunities to get into trouble out here.)
Certainly they'll be less media attention on him if he's here than there will be if he stays out East, but the same could be said for him going to Europe over coming over here.
I think he'd be a good fit back in Force blue, and it'd probably help the crowds return to NIB with a 'big name draw', even if he's playing on the wing. But I completely agree with the Force line that JO'C comes back under our terms and if he doesn't like it, there's the door, sunshine, send us a postcard from France.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon
Would the signing of JOC be detrimental to Godwin's development to a world class 10/12? If so, I would much rather rely on Godwin as our key player and let JOC go enjoy his time in the South of France.