Force pick up classy scrum-half

[Jess]

Look guys this talk of back stabbing and not being loyal will just not do.

A lot went down that no one knows about and it is not any of our places to suggest that James did the wrong thing at any point. It is not fair to judge when one does not know all the facts and I feel a lot has been said to sway people's opinions when in fact there is no truth in the statements.

He gave so much to the game and is nothing short of a wonderful guy. I have had the pleasure of meeting him through the store and he deserves nothing but praise in how decent and composed he is despite the pressure of being a high profile professional sports star. He's humble and gives a lot back to the community, of which he receives little credit for in the media. We all know how they like to ignore the good stuff that our boys do.

He copped so much verbal abuse as the result of this whole paly debacle and he took it all in his stride and in my opinion no one deserves the serving that he received just for some misunderstandings in which club he should play for. I personally condemn the actions of those who behaved so maliciously towards him.

The paly vs uni club situation was very complex and while it must be easy to sit on your high horse and accuse him of being disloyal... it might serve your time better to see things from his perspective and cut the guy a little bit of slack.

The players read this site guys. They know what we say and James is hurting right now and more than ever he needs our support.

Lets get over the past grievences and just do our best to let Chuckie know how grateful we are for the passion in which he played his rugby while he wore the Force jersey.

When Henjak was dropped, amongst all the controversy, James stepped up. He slogged it out and even played with a fractured cheek bone. No one can question his dedication and devotion to our club.

I for one thank you James. Thank you for all you did for us and I really feel for you that it has ended this way. You deserve far more than this and I wish you success beyond your wildest dreams in the future.

His a human being guys not a robot.

Lets put this all into a bit of perspective shall we?

[jono]

i think its the force being disloyal. not chucky...
i cant fault him. i think he deserves better than this

[pruc]

he also sponsored me when i went to sydney

[Jess]

I know sweetheart... my comments weren't aimed at you.

[pruc]

I know sweetheart... my comments weren't aimed at you.

thats good
i was getting worried for a bit

[innocent quokka]

ok, so he's not a ranga.

more like strawberry blonde.

[BLR]

Think of it this way, Stannard will go and play many years overseas, (5 or 6 perhaps) earn heaps of money and then come back driving a Ferrarri or whatever, I think this is better for him in the long term as I don't think he would be able to play for the Wallabies.

[slomo]

CLASSY? i think that he should fight really hard to be the starting scrummy AFTER O'Young and Stannard. IMHO i think he should earn his place here, not automatically start at #9 UNLESS he really is 'classy' and good.

this is a quality signing for the force, have you seen him play?.........australian school boys, australia under 21s, australia A, and a few wallabies caps.....

[lara93]

yay!

[Flamethrower]

What are his Wallaby caps. I can only find one off the bench against England.

[slomo]

What are his Wallaby caps. I can only find one off the bench against England.

4 caps, 2006 wallabies vs england (sydney)
vs wales (cardiff)
vs ireland (dublin)
vs scotland (murrayfield)

photo valentine and stanners vs ireland 2006

[Flamethrower]

Thanks slomo

[jargan83]

people change clubs all the time in every sport at every level, whether it be for personal or financial reasons. Sure you might get stuck into any "traitors" when you play them next, but you leave that on the field and have a beer or a powerade or whatever after the game. I am not involved with grassroots Rugby a whole lot, but it's the same across all sports. Don't bring the hate.

Best of luck Chucky for the future
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[The Lone Hydrangea]

Well my thoughts are 1 Stannard should feel he has been shafted, 2 hope he makes a good quid overseas,3 accordinging to the GTT crew and over a long period of time also, think he is shite( Valentine). They will hopefully be wrong, then again they excel at mediocrity.

[robyn <3]

i think james should be better treated. he had an outstanding s14, i thought, and from what i understand hes been a bit of a hero in club rugby at the moment, as one of the first guys to come up through rugbywa to pay s14... its a real shame hes going

(since the boys read this site) i wish you all the best james, where ever you are off to now. youre a great rugby player and ive enjoyed watching you this last season, youve been great good luck chucky