Cameron Shepherd's fitness level will determine the top-up value of his ARU contract

[travelling_gerry]

Cameron Shepherd's fitness level will determine the top-up value of his ARU contract

• Bret Harris
• From: The Australian
• May 05, 2010 12:00AM

THE ARU is monitoring Western Force outside back Cameron Shepherd's fitness before deciding the value of the top-up to his Super rugby contract.



The Force and Super 15 expansion franchise Melbourne Rebels are keen to progress talks with Shepherd, who has also received interest from French clubs.


Shepherd was Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' first-choice fullback when he selected his original Australian team to play Ireland in 2008.


But a succession of injuries has prevented Shepherd from adding to his nine Test caps.


One of the most brilliant attackers in Australian rugby when fully fit, it has been difficult for the ARU to assess Shepherd's form.


A broken ankle restricted Shepherd to just seven Super 14 games with the Force last year, and he has played only three matches this season after sustaining a quad injury while warming up for the season opener.


Shepherd played on the wing in the Force's recent matches with the Highlanders, Blues and Crusaders, but withdrew from the team that beat the Lions in Johannesburg last Sunday after feeling pain in his quad again.


A scan revealed only a minor strain and Shepherd is expected to play for the Force against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Sunday.


Meanwhile, the Force has offered former Queensland Reds and Brumbies inside centre Gene Fairbanks a two-year deal.


Fairbanks is playing Sydney club rugby for Randwick after a stint in Japan.
The Rebels are also taking to Queensland centre Cameron Mitchell, who was named yesterday in the Australian Under-20 squad for the world championship in Argentina in June.


Wallabies tourists Matt Toomua and Luke Morahan were key inclusions in coach David Nucifora's 26-man squad, but there was no room for Waratahs back-rower Locky McCaffrey.


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225862271638

[Burgs]

Fairbanks was playing well in the footage I saw two weeks ago.

[todd4]

Fairbanks was playing well in the footage I saw two weeks ago.

Burgs, how do you get coverage of the Sydney club rugby ?

[GIGS20]

Testing out his brand new satellite Intermanet thingy I bet!!!!!

[jargan83]

It is also on one of the ABC Digital TV channels isn't it?

It was last year

[travelling_gerry]

ABC HD 3pm Saturdays.

[sandgroperrugby]

Unfortunately I would have to agree with the ARU in relations to Shepherd, sucks but that is business. It would be like having someone on retainer but is never available when you need them the most.

[Burgs]

Sorry for the delay todd4, my brand new satellite Intermanet thingy is playing up

One of the few perks of living in the bush is if you get sat TV then you get the NSW/Qld/SA/NT ABC's and SBS'.

Unfortunately the nice chaps who installed my brand new satellite Intermanet thingy had a look at it to try and get my local commercial chanels working after six months of nothing and now I don't get any so no more Shute Shield for Burgs