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Bret Harris | May 20, 2009
The Australian
THE Western Force is dreaming if it imagines the Brumbies will release either Matt Toomua or Christian Lealiifano to solve the Perth-based side's five-eighth crisis.
The Force is desperate to recruit a five-eighth following Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau's decision to leave Perth to return home to Canberra next year.
The club has approached several international five-eighths, including Peter Grant, Derick Hougaard, Charlie Hodgson and Carlos Spencer.
If the Force does not find a suitable five-eighth, coach John Mitchell may have no choice but to play teenage Wallaby James O'Connor at No10. O'Connor's preference is to play inside centre or fullback at this early stage of his career.
The Brumbies have offered O'Connor the starting inside centre or fullback position as part of their attempt to lure him to Canberra.
"If James O'Connor comes here, we will not be releasing any players," Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said.
"We are not recruiting James as a five-eighth, but as an inside centre or fullback."
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