Wallabies' Mitchell to play third division club rugby

[travelling_gerry]

Drew Mitchell... dipping his heels in lower grade
rugby (file photo). (AFP: Anthony Dickson)

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell is set to announce he will play third division rugby union in Sydney when he is not on national duty.

Mitchell has signed with sub-district side Balmain for the 2010 and 2011 seasons and will also coach its Colts team.

The 25-year-old's deal is likely to include him being available to play Sydney club rugby and it is expected he may only play one or two games for Balmain.

Mitchell played for the Western Force for the past three seasons but signed with the Waratahs after this year's Super 14 competition.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...?section=sport

[TommyM]

WTF?

[Stone Cold]

nope...too easy

[jargan83]

Tackling practice against slower moving targets?

[Garfiep]

drew who?

[Working Class]

I think it great. Going back to the grassroots level. Pity more don't do the same.

[TommyM]

Good for the Force. His tackling should get even worse.

Looking forward to Cross and Cummins going over the top of him Lomu style next season...

[shasta]

I think it great. Going back to the grassroots level. Pity more don't do the same.

Yep. Not a bad move to get some coaching certificates in the CV either.

[Working Class]

he's building a link with the greater rugby community. the fact he's doing this has to be admirable in someway.many pro rugby player's never interact with the regular folk at these level once they have made it. should happen more.

[sandgroperrugby]

i like the fact that he will contribute to coaching a colts team good on him for putting back into rugby

[Swee_82]

The Colts coaching and club participation is great, but I'd forgive opposition third-division sides feeling a bit rotten about having to front up against a Wallaby.

[Working Class]

You kidding. Subbies blokes would relish the opportunity. The chance to front up against a Pro and a wallaby for that matter. They'd be out to smash him.

[GIGS20]

It's all smoke & mirrors anyway, how many actual games do you think a Wallaby would be available for? The relevant thing would be the coaching role with the colts. I would wonder what steps have been taken to cover the coaches absence when he's playing out of town (or does he not expect to be selected for test matches during the club rugby season?)

[Working Class]

They said realistically he'd only be available for 1 maybe 2 games.

[Thequeerone]

Good on him - at the very least he'll inspire the colts. hope he enjoys it and shows others how it can be done