0
Western Force signs O'Young
EXCLUSIVE: Bret Harris | February 19, 2008
Western Force signs O'Young | The Australian
HALFBACK Chris O'Young is expected to join the Western Force in South Africa after signing with the Super 14 team for three years.
O'Young, who played for the Force in their inaugural season in 2006, has been playing for Scottish side Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League.
The Force will try to have O'Young cleared in time to play against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
While O'Young is ostensibly a replacement for injured back-up halfback Adam Clarke, he will become the Force's first-choice scrumhalf if Matt Henjak's contract is terminated at a tribunal hearing in Perth tonight.
Henjak, who started at halfback in the Force's loss to the Sharks in Durban last Saturday, and winger Haig Sare face having their contracts torn up after being involved in a fight, which left Sare with a broken jaw.
O'Young will provide the Force with the experience they need at the scrumbase if Henjak is released.
A product of St Patrick's College, Strathfield, O'Young was previoulsy Chris Whitaker's back-up at NSW Waratahs in 2005.
It is understood the Force is also interested in Queensland Reds academy halfback/five-eighth Ben Lucas, who was highly regarded by former Wallabies coach John Connolly.