Force fortify ranks, sign New Zealand prop Ben Castle

[BaldCunus]

Nick Taylor, rugby writer

January 29, 2009 10:00pm

BREAKING NEWS: THE Western Force has snared the signature of New Zealand prop Ben Castle just two weeks out from the 2009 Super 14 season.
Castle will join the club after departing French Top 14 rugby club Toulon.

The 29-year-old played for the Waikato Chiefs for five seasons until 2007, winning 30 caps, and also played for the New Zealand university team.

Castle, a 114kg and 1.85m tighthead who can also play on the loose, had been tipped to leave the big spending French club after being left out of the side in recent weeks.

http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...005401,00.html

[mudskipper]

Frontrow... Whalley Castle, sounds spooky…could be a good sign…TWF

[Cowboy]

Does anyone know much about him?

Glad to have another specialist tighthead aboard, but continues our tradition of 'light' props at 114kg.

[pieter blackie]

thanks to Getty images

[pieter blackie]

TOULON, France (AFP) - Big-spending Toulon will on Monday confirm Sale coach, and former France skipper, Philippe Saint-Andre as their new manager for next season while also axing Kiwi prop Ben Castle, club sources told AFP.

With the club facing a quick return to the second division after just one season in the elite Top 14, Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is also expected to clear out a raft of players who have failed to make an impression with the club.

Castle, 28, who arrived from Waikato Chiefs in the summer is tipped to be amongst those on their way out of the team after being left out of the side in recent weeks.



Fiche de Ben CASTLE

* Surnom : "BC"
* Poste : Left prop
* Autre poste :
* Taille : 1.85 m
* Poids : 117 kg not to bad for a tight head
* Naissance : Wellington (Nouvelle-Zélande) le 13/01/1980

Parcours de Ben CASTLE
Clubs précédents

Bay of Plenty (New Zealand - NPC).
Otago (New Zealand- NPC).
2004/ 2008 - Waikato Chiefs (New Zealand - Super 14 - 42 matchs played).
Sélections

New Zealand Student International
Palmarès de Ben CASTLE

[oxleymoron]

Interesting that he has got out from all the shite going on at Toulon. He signed with them for two years in June 08.

He is also uncapped for the All Blacks - does he have any Australian relos?

[TOCC]

it says he was axed in the article, i dont want to sound cynical, but i doubt he would have been sacked or released because he was playing well..

[chiselhead]

Waikato man, polished in the mud in Europe. The missing link in the Force field. Read it and weep.

He was axed because he couldn't speak French, wouldn't kiss his fellow players, refused to squirrel grip opponents, didn't like frogs legs or garlic, preferred beer to wine, preferred not to ride a moped.............and hated France with a passion like every other Aussie and kiwi red blooded bloke who doesn't like pastel coloured turtle neck jumpers.

Welcome to WA big fella.

We're gunna kick some ass

[TOCC]

yeah right.......

[no.8]

it says he was axed in the article, i dont want to sound cynical, but i doubt he would have been sacked or released because he was playing well..

EXCESS BAGGAGE...?

[TOCC]

excess baggage or not, Toulon arent exactly known for there strong scrum..

It was like that touted signing of Te Moana, that guy was rubbish, im sure this bloke is much better, but i wouldnt expect a whole lot from him.

[pieter blackie]

excess baggage or not, Toulon arent exactly known for there strong scrum..

It was like that touted signing of Te Moana, that guy was rubbish, im sure this bloke is much better, but i wouldnt expect a whole lot from him.

I would have loved to hear what you would have said if the Reds contracted him

[oxleymoron]

With Castle signing, we now have:

Pek, Hardy, Longbottom, Takiari, AJ, Te Moana and Castle battling for 3 positions in the 22.

I doubt it very much that all of them will get a game this year.

[travelling_gerry]

Big Dog Te Moana had trouble with visa and wasn't signed from what I know.

[chiselhead]

yeah right.......

You don't reckon he's happy about leaving France?