Australian Players Off Contract in '07
These are the players I understand to be off-contract at the end of this season.
Feel free to add any others and I will edit them into this list as we go.
Force:
Vitori Buatava
Pek Cowan
Tim Davidson (Released upon request, has returned to Sydney University for now)
Luke Doherty
Dave Fitter (Released to Sydney University, rumoured to be looking at options in Europe)
Josh Graham (Released upon request, has been signed to new NRL outfit the Gold Coast Titans in '07)
Tajhon Smallman-Mailata
David Te Moana (Released to inaugural team Tasman Makos in the NZ NPC)
John Welborn (Yet to officially confirm retirement)
AJ Whalley
Ryan Cross (ex Force '07, NRL Roosters, 3 Years)
Matt Giteau (Force '07, 3 Years, rumoured unofficially 5 years)
Drew Mitchell (Force '07, 3 Years)
Troy Takiari (Force '07, 2 Years)
Brumbies:
Al Campbell (Re-signed Brumbies, 2 Years)
Gene Fairbanks (Re-signed Brumbies, 2 Years)
Nic Henderson
Jone Tawake (Red hot tip to be coming West)
Adam Wallace-Harrison (Re-signed Brumbies, 2 Years)
Joel Wilson (Announced move overseas)
Matt Giteau (Force 07, 3 Years, rumoured unofficially 5 years)
Stephen Larkham (Re-signed Brumbies, 1 Year)
George Smith (Re-signed Brumbies, 3 Years)
Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies, ? Years)
Julian Huxley (Brumbies bound, ? Years)
Reds:
Rodney Blake (Re-signed, 2 Years)
Caleb Brown (Re-signed, 2 Years)
Julian Huxley (Brumbies bound, ? Years)
Peter Hynes (re-signed Reds, ? Years)
Lloyd Johansson (re-signed Reds, 2 Years)
Steve Kefu (Heading to Europe)
Anthony Mathison (Re-signed, ? Years)
Tom McVerry (re-signed Reds, ? Years)
Drew Mitchell (Force 07, 3 Years)
Josh Valentine (Waratahs, 2 Years)
+9 others (Berrick Barnes has chosen not to utilise Broncos only early release clause)
Quade Cooper, (New contract, Australian Schoolboys, ? Years)
Ben Coutts (New contract, Ex Sale UK, 2 Years)
Ben Daly (New Academy contract, Australian U19's, 3 Years)
Charlie Fetoai (New contract, from Toowoomba Clydesdales, ? Years)
AJ Gilbert (New contract, Australian Under 19's & Sevens, 1 Year)
Ryan Nicholas (New contract, 1 Year)
Ed O'Donoghue (New contract, Ex Worcester UK, 2 Years)
Clinton Schifcofske (New contract, ex Canberra Raiders NRL, ? Years)
Waratahs:
Stephen Hoiles (Brumbies, ? Years)
Al Kanaar (Re-signed with the Waratahs, 2 Years.)
Wycliff Palu (Re-signed Waratahs, 2 Years)
Chris Siale (Re-signed, ? Years)
Troy Takiari (Force, 2 Years)
Chris Whitaker (Ireland bound)
+3 others
Josh Valentine (Waratahs '07, 2 Years)
Provinces circle Marlins' prize catch
Provinces circle Marlins' prize catch
By Ben Kimber Rugby Heaven
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
WHEN the Shute Shield kicks off this Saturday, Manly will be looking for new recruit Chris Siale to continue the tryscoring frenzy he has been enjoying with NSW A as the Marlins take on Tooheys New Cup champions Sydney University.
Siale and brother Lupeni have been lured to Manly from West Harbour. The pair's signing will bolster the Marlins' back line, with Chris, in particular, in outstanding form at present.
With his former club coach at Wests, Joe Barakat, now mentoring the currently undefeated NSW A team, Siale has been a standout in wins over their counterparts from the Brumbies and the Queensland Reds.
In four games, Siale's fast footwork has underpinned his constant ability to find the line.
"He's obviously scoring plenty of tries - he's scored two hat-tricks and picked up a couple in the other two games out of four matches with us," Barakat said. "And the way he's been going has been recognised with his selection as 23rd man for the top side. He's really been impressing people this year. He's always had the ability to cause damage and turn teams around, and you always want him on your side rather than against you. He'll be a real acquisition for Manly."
Manly will field Siale at outside-centre at University Oval on Saturday, with plenty of keen eyes sure to continue monitoring his progress as the other provinces circle. Siale is off contract with NSW this year and is already believed to have been approached by at least two other provinces to relocate next year.
While the big guns, such as Matt Giteau, will attract plenty of attention as they decide their futures, players such as Siale will be watched closely over the coming Shute Shield and Tooheys New Cup competitions as provincial coaches look to add further talent to their rosters.