0
Article from: PerthNow
Nick Taylor, rugby writer
April 25, 2009 06:30pm
WESTERN Force halfback Josh Valentine wants to know where his future lies before the side flies to South Africa on Tuesday.
He had talks with the Force late last week and was due to have discussions with the Australian Rugby Union this weekend about whether he was likely to be offered a Wallaby contract.
"I had a chat with the Force on Thursday and they are coming back to me early next week," Valentine said.
Discussions may have to continue in South Africa with the vastly improved 26-year-old who came to Perth on a one-year deal and he said: "I'm trying to make a decision before we go away on Tuesday.
"It's difficult trying to do deals while in South Africa. I've done it before, it's just too hard not being around.
"I hope they can get something sorted before then.
"I've got to weigh a few things up including whether I'm in the mix with the Wallabies this year, but everything seems positive, I'm playing some decent football.
"The disappointing thing is everyone else is leaving."
The Force has discussed an offer to Waratahs halfback Brett Sheehan and with the NSW side locking in Luke Burgess it expects to hear soon whether he will move west. Valentine is circumspect about the Sheehan scenario.
"They are looking to go for me or him. All I can do is play good footy. If they choose me they choose me, if they don't they don't.
"If they don't and the ARU's no good I'll definitely look overseas or at other provinces."
The Force has two other priority re-signings - teenage star James O'Connor and No.8 Richard Brown.
Pressure has mounted on the bid to keep O'Connor with the announcement that Brumbies fullback Mark Gerrard is off to Japan.
The ACT side will be doing all it can to team O'Connor up with Matt Giteau.
The hunt also goes on for a hooker to replace Tai McIsaac and the Force is keen to get Tatafu Polota-Nau from the Waratahs.
If he stays in Sydney, where Adam Freier is still on contract, the Force may turn its attention to the Tahs' third-string hooker and 2007 Australian schoolboy captain Damien Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick, 19, joined the Waratahs Super 14 squad this year when Freir's season ended with a bicep injury.
It would be a gamble, because it would mean the Force going into next season with no Super 14 hardened rake.
Academy hooker Ben Whittaker had his first run as a replacement on Friday night and Luke Holmes is struggling to make the grade.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005403,00.html