Half Force squad out of contract at end of 2009
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005401,00.html
THE WESTERN Force faces the daunting reality that more than half its squad comes off-contract at the end of the season, with some ready to leave.
Club officials are in urgent renegotiation talks with a number of players and with possible replacements.
But chief executive Greg Harris said the club was not interested in signing those players who only want to play for the money.
"We're looking at guys who want to be here, who want to be a part of the Western Force," he said.
"We want guys who want to come here to better their football and not just for money or a commercial outcome."
Those to have already announced their departures are Matt Giteau, who is going back home to the
Brumbies, hooker Tai McIsaac to Japan, prop Ben Castle to Newport Gwent Dragons, utility back Scott Staniforth, who will be given an early release to play in Japan, and flanker Tamaiti Horua to Ulster.
Others, including second row David Pusey, who fell out of favour with coach John Mitchell last year, and centre Junior Pelesasa are also considering overseas moves.
"We're going to lose players who have been here from day one and the culture of the place will be poorer without them," Harris said.
"But we have a list analysis and a succession program in place and we're going for it."
Four players - teenager James O'Connor, second row Tom Hockings and props Pek Cowan and A.J.Whalley - are off-contract but have a 12-month option to stay.
Harris is confident of keeping them all.
Wallaby flanker Richard Brown and O'Connor are on top of Harris's retention list, along with young Wallaby David Pocock, who is signed until 2010.
O'Connor is being groomed as a possible replacement for Giteau at five-eighth. He has said he prefers the No.12 spot and is also at home at fullback.
But as The Sunday Times revealed four weeks ago, the club is interested in Stormers five-eighth Peter Grant.
He has relatives in Perth and it is understood his family has lost its farm under the land restitution scheme in South Africa. His parents were in Perth last week looking at a move to WA.
A big tight-head prop to anchor the scrum has long been a Force priority.
Harris spoke with Wallaby Matt Dunning this week and the Force has renewed its push for the Hurricanes' Tim Fairbrother.
The Kiwi would not take up one of the Force import or marquee player spots because he is eligible to play for the Wallabies because of an Australian grandparent.
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Others, including second row David Pusey, who fell out of favour with coach John Mitchell last year, and centre Junior Pelesasa are also considering overseas moves
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