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Emirates Western Force and Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe has committed to Australian rugby by signing a new three year contract with the Emirates Western Force and the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).
Emirates Western Force Captain since the team’s inception in 2006, Sharpe has played in all but three matches for the Perth-based team, and has amassed 96 caps in his eleventh season of Super Rugby.
A vital member of the Wallabies forward pack, Sharpe was the only player to play every minute of every Test in the team’s 2006 international campaign and has captained his country twice in a 63-Test career.
Sharpe said he was proud to have signed his new deal to play out his career in Australia.
“At thirty years of age I’m definitely looking at this contract as my last one and I’m extremely proud to say that I’ll finish my playing career in Australia,” said the 2007 John Eales Medalist.
Sharpe said continuing to play a major role in the growth of the Emirates Western Force was a key factor in his decision to continue his career in the West.
“We’ve got a very exciting young squad at the Force and captaining the side and playing a role in developing the culture and direction of the team was a huge factor in my decision to extend for three more years.
During that time I believe the team has the potential to become a dominant team in the (Super 14) competition,” he said.
Sharpe, who was born in country NSW and spent the majority of his life in Queensland, said he and his young family were enthusiastic about extending their stay in the WA Capital.
“The lifestyle in Perth is fantastic and my wife (Jess) and my 18-month-old son Cooper have settled in really well. Perth is definitely home for us now and we’re looking forward to the next three years here,” he said.
“Rugby isn’t their first choice sport here in Perth but we’ve got some incredibly passionate fans at the Western Force and the community has been very welcoming and supportive of family since we arrived,” he said.
Now contracted with Australian Rugby until the end of 2011, Sharpe said it was a major goal to represent the Wallabies in the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
“My immediate focus is on playing good football for the Force but obviously winning the 2011 World Cup with the Wallabies would be an ideal way to finish my career.”
RugbyWA acting CEO Mitch Hardy said Sharpe’s new contract was a major coup for the organisation.
“We’re absolutely delighted that Nathan has re-signed with RugbyWA and the Emirates Western Force,” said Hardy.
“Sharpie is a popular and very well respected member of the Emirates Western Force and has been instrumental in establishing the team as a genuine Super 14 finals contender and an integral part of Australian rugby.”
“His signature was a major priority for the organisation and it would have been easy for Nathan to turn his back on Australia to pursue an opportunity overseas.
But he felt that he had worked hard to establish the team and has a genuine desire to help the Emirates Western Force continue to develop and perform well in the Super 14 in the coming years.”
Hardy hoped that Sharpe’s signing would trigger more of the team’s current squad members to continue with the Perth-based team.
“Nathan has shown tremendous faith in the organisation and we hope that other players off contract (at the end of 2008) will see this as a major positive for the team and will look to continue their rugby in the Emirates Western Force program.”
FACT FILE:
Nathan Sharpe
Position: Lock
Physical: 2.00m, 115kg
Born: 26.02.78, Wagga Wagga, NSW
Club: Rockingham
Super 14 Caps: 96 (70 Reds, 26 EWF)
Super 14 Points: 35[7t]
Super 14 Debut: 1998 v Hurricanes (Reds)
Test Caps: 63
Test Points: 30 [6t]
Test Debut: 2002 v France