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Bret Harris | March 27, 2009
Article from: The Australian
THE Brumbies will intensify their efforts to recruit teenage sensation James O'Connor from the Western Force amid speculation his Perth teammate Drew Mitchell is leaning towards going home to the Queensland Reds.
It was originally believed that Mitchell would follow his close friend Matt Giteau from Perth to Canberra.
But the Brumbies appear to be out of the running because of a lack of third-party sponsorship.
"We are not pushing it hard," Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said. "We're not confident he (Mitchell) will head our way.
"We'll continue to look at other options.
"James O'Connor is a good option. We will look at options within our own squad and we will look internationally as well."
The Force has made O'Connor its number one priority following Giteau's decision to leave.
But the prospect of Giteau running the Brumbies' backline could possibly persuade O'Connor to join him in Canberra. He could play either inside centre or fullback at the Brumbies.
The Waratahs have also expressed interest in O'Connor, although Mitchell is their main target.
It is highly unlikely Mitchell would remain at the Force, despite lucrative third-party sponsorship opportunities in Perth.
Mitchell is expected to attract the same level of corporate support in Brisbane and Sydney as he would in Perth.
He was meant to make a decision by today, but is taking more time to mull it over.
Indications are that Mitchell is seriously considering a move back to Brisbane, where he is spending the Force's bye week with his parents.
Mitchell's main attractions in Brisbane are being with family and friends and playing for a young and ambitious Reds team that appears to be on the rise.
He spent three years with an unsuccessful Queensland team before joining the Force, but the Reds are a much better side under coach Phil Mooney than the one that Mitchell left in 2007.
And the Reds play an exciting brand of expansive rugby that would suit Mitchell's attacking brilliance. There has been talk that Mitchell would baulk at moving back to Queensland because the Reds have committed to rugby league convert Mark McLinden for two years. But apparently that would not be an obstacle to him returning.
Mitchell would be virtually guaranteed his preferred fullback position at the Waratahs, whose current number 15, Sam Norton-Knight, is leaving to join Cardiff Blues in Wales at the end of the season.
On other player movement news, Force backrower Tamaiti Horua is expected to join Irish province Ulster, which is coached by former Waratahs mentor Matt Williams.
Meanwhile, the Brumbies are facing the daunting task of playing the Sharks in front of a capacity crowd of 54,000 at Absa Stadium in Durban on Sunday.
The Sharks have produced a formidable record at home, having won 19 of 22 games at the "Shark Tank" since 2006 and seven in a row since the 2007 final.
They have also won five of their six games against the Brumbies in Durban, although the ACT side caused a boilover on their last visit two years ago.
"It will be rocking," Brumbies coach Andy Friend said. "But that can work in your favour too.
"If we can keep the crowd silent, we will know we are on track."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...9-2722,00.html
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