Force set to sign NRL winger

[Tazzmania]

Amongst the recent doom and gloom, some light at the end of the tunnel and it is not an on coming train.

It appears that the first of our new signings under the ARU partnership is about to happen and as most have been crying out about it is WA raised talent coming back to WA.

"Western Force are close to pulling off an audacious coup, bringing NRL try-scoring machine Curtis Rona home to Perth and back to his rugby union roots.

The Force and Australian Rugby Union have been secretly negotiating with the big Canterbury winger for some time and although his NRL contract does not end until 2017 it is understood he is keen to make the code switch.

Rona, 23, scored 23 tries in his first full NRL season with the Bulldogs last year.

He began his career in rugby union with Wanneroo Districts before switching codes and joining neighbouring Joondalup Giants."

The west

[GIGS20]

I don't follow league much, but I've heard the name. Is that cause he's good?

[shasta]

Yes. A VERY good player. He is a try scoring machine - big powerful and a pretty good defender. He can also play Left Centre. I think he also played Rugby for the Roo Dogs, so even you might give him a bit of credit GIGS. Will be sorely missed at the Dogs, but in this case I won't mind too much.

[yungfen]

Sounds like he would be a great signing with his Perth roots and try scoring statistics. We lack a big winger in the current squad.

[jargan83]

Rona definitely knows where the try line is, very solid defender. Will be a great signing.

Back three of DHP, Morahan and Rona. Come in spinner.

[Sheikh]

According to his Wiki page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Rona he's 1.94 m and 102 kg. Certainly a big unit. Taranaki born, but moved here at 8.

Also, looking at his highlight reel on Youtube, he's got long arms, pretty strong and quick. (Of course, it is a highlight reel, so it's going to make him look good.)

With him on one wing and Morahan on the other and DHP at full back, that's not a bad back line. I've not seen enough from Mesiwara to convince me he's up to standard, and Nikoro and Lacey simply haven't been on the field enough to rate them (plus reports they are going). Brache can play anywhere from 11-15 and would push the others for starting time.

[beige]

Better late than never, hey? He was in the state setup as a junior 8 or 9 years ago. Number 2 try-scorer in the NRL last year, behind only another former rugby union winger.

Fingers crossed! Been an unusually positive week for the Force...

[jono]

assuming he's almost salary cap exempt as well because he's from another footy code.
IE - the izzy rule

[GIGS20]

even you might give him a bit of credit GIGS. Will be sorely missed at the Dogs, but in this case I won't mind too much.

Hang on a minute, I wouldn't go that far....

He'll need a couple of years to beat the mungo out of him first!

Once he continues to play the game after the ball touches the ground I'll make a decision.

[beige]

assuming he's almost salary cap exempt as well because he's from another footy code.
IE - the izzy rule

I believe so - up to $250K if I'm not mistaken.

[jono]

Gotta wonder if that rule can also be applied for players from other union competitions.

Heard the Reds were trying that route with QC. But nothing since

[The InnFORCEr]

He's a returning Wallaby is QC, so the QRU will get some form of dispensation from ARU, because of this. No doubt they got some for George Smith as well.

[ranga]

now they can work on getting Blake back from Penrith to team up with Rona in the centres and I'll be well pleased

[shasta]

now they can work on getting Blake back from Penrith to team up with Rona in the centres and I'll be well pleased

I like Blake. He's a fantastic player with heaps of potential. But he's never played Rugby, and only plays on the right, far as I know. So he's a bit of a risk. I'm not getting my hopes up about Rona either when it comes down to it as they can both command around the half mill on their next Mungo contract, I reckon. The ARU might cough for Rona but an untested right center? Doubt it.

[James]

Better late than never, hey? He was in the state setup as a junior 8 or 9 years ago. Number 2 try-scorer in the NRL last year, behind only another former rugby union winger.

Fingers crossed! Been an unusually positive week for the Force...

Who is that?