Wykes joins the Western Force

July 18, 2007 2:21 PM

By John Macdonald of Parramatta Sun

Outstanding Parramatta junior Sam Wykes has joined the Western Force Super 14 team on a two-year full-time contract.

"We develop them and they take them,'' said Parramatta Rugby Union Club secretary Ian Hollin of harsh reality since the start of the international competition.

"This is a great opportunity for Sam but a big loss for Parramatta and NSW rugby.''

Wykes was a member of the Australian under 19s World Cup team in Ireland earlier in the year, and made his Parramatta first-grade debut this season.

Info on Go The Tahs

Sounds like a good lad.

Two questions, is that our full squad signed and are we not lacking depth in the front row?

What position does this lad play?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JediKnight

What position does this lad play?

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Lock/flanker

Sam Wykes:
D.O.B.: 25/04/1988 (19)
Height: 193cm
Weight: 108kg
Club: Parramatta
Origin: New South Wales
Position: Lock
Interestingly of the same Titan Management as the Holmes brothers and Scott Fardy.
One thing is certain, if he has grown up playing around Parramatta he'll be a hard bastard!
I noticed Sam during the Under 19's as one of the standouts and was quite impressed.

http://s215192333.onlinehome.us/uplo...1184802141.jpg http://s215192333.onlinehome.us/uplo...1184802215.jpg http://s215192333.onlinehome.us/uplo...1184802277.jpg http://s215192333.onlinehome.us/uplo...1184802342.jpg http://s215192333.onlinehome.us/uplo...1184802433.jpg

He'ill take a bit of pressure of Rudi and Sharpie ! he's hugh

Certainly a big lad as a 19 year old, no wonder his folks sent him to play Rugby, he was probably eating them out of the house!!!
TEF, yeah by my count that is a full Squad.
Puts the pressure square on Tai and Luke to perform and if there's an injury then I guess they would have to do a Reds and get special permission to bring someone in from outside.

awsome, the locks / flankers are looking in abundence will or who is wykes playing for in the mazda cup?

See Rugby WA havent announced this yet
typical

Krusher, Sam is listed to play for the Western Sydney Rams this season as a Parra boy. Probably be a good way for him to sign off on that phase of his career I guess.

ok, thats interesting plays us in there first game - nice pics by the way.

Least he will be comfortable in a blue ISC jersey for next year :D

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Originally Posted by Burgs

Least he will be comfortable in a blue ISC jersey for next year :D

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Yeah, but when did the "2 blues" become the "one blue plus black & whites" ?

http://www.rugbywa.com.au/news/2007/.../section/50753
Australian U19s lock Sam Wykes has joined the Emirates Western Force on a two year contract.

The 197cm 19 year old comes to Perth having been a member of the Waratahs Academy in 2006 and 2007.

An old boy of Patrician Brothers’ College in Blacktown, Wykes played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2005 and the Australian U19s in 2006 and 2007.

He was voted Players’ Player of the Australian U19 World Champions in 2006.

The 102kg Wykes has been playing first grade for Parramatta in the Sydney competition, and will represent the West Sydney Rams in the Mazda Australian Rugby Championship before moving to Perth in October.

Wykes said he was looking forward to furthering his rugby career at the Emirates Western Force and learning from experienced locks like Nathan Sharpe and Rudi Vedelago.

He said he was impressed by the Force’s progress over its short history and he was excited about being part of its future.

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell said he had been impressed by Wykes’ ball handling skills and composure, and his commitment and work rate off the ball.

“We see the likes of Sam and Tom Hockings as our future locking partners, and we will be doing our best to ensure Sam keeps learning and physically developing in our program to achieve that goal.”