Skysports.co.nz reports the bombshell that the 20 year old Western Force superstar James O’Connor is Melbourne bound.
Melbourne Rebels are believed to have snared their second major coup in a week with the signing of Western Force sensation James O’Connor.
Reports say the 20-year-old has struck a deal with the Rebels to join good mate Kurtley Beale from next season and an announcement will be made as soon as Monday.
If they are correct, it would be a major blow for the Force, who handed the Queensland-born talent a debut at 17 in the 2008 season and he has since featured in 32 matches for the Perth-based outfit.
O’Connor’s signing would give the Rebels arguably the most exciting backline in Super Rugby in 2012, joining Beale, English playmaker Danny Cipriani, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock and halfback Nick Phipps, who staved off interest from the Waratahs to re-sign with Melbourne for the next two years.
Rumours flying around about Pocock, Brown and Hodgson…. wouldn’t be a bad loose trio to pick up would it !
That’s what happens when a new franchise shows that they are professional.
How many games before the Force won their 1st game?
How many games have the Rebels ALREADY won, and how long did it take the Force to reach that number?
How long is Cipriani’s contract?
That pretty much leaves the Western Force with no backline
Rebels building a good team for next year.
See Oz and Nz are after Sarel. Wonder if Rebels will offer something to Sarel? They seem to be on a mission.
Sarel would actually be scary playing in an Oz team
And Anton Van Zyl to Lions. Whoop whoop.
Can’t blame the yound lad… who would want to live in the arse end of Western Australia!
Speed 7 is Anton VZ not back to lions and when , are you certain??
@CS (Comment 9) : Most Saffas who leave RSA for Aus live there don’t they?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) : pack 4 perth! yeah most saffas who go 2 aus live der
@RuckingFun (Comment 12) : It where most of the mining activity takes place so makes sense. There school set up is different to ours, they don’t play sport at schools well the public ones. You have to join a club. Big blow to their team to lose O’Conner. but I was reading on Rugby Heaven that Aussie teams will have a salary cap and that may bite the Rebels, as they have already spent big money, as have the Waratahs and Reds so this may play into the Forces hands as they will have plenty to spend. Just not sure who they will buy .Not that much depth in Aussie Rugby, yet!! We have allowed them a domestic comp though and I have no doubt they will get better with more exposure of the game!!
Good morning all. May all of u SW bloggers have a blessed week. This week we celebrate the most important week on the christian calender. May you, in some way or another experience love joy and piece within this week.