Wallaby George Smith wavers on European options

[travelling_gerry]

Bret Harris | April 15, 2009


Article from: The Australian

WALLABIES openside flanker George Smith will make a decision about his playing future in the next two weeks, as he weighs up whether to stay in Australia or head overseas.

ARU and Brumbies officials are confident Smith will re-sign because he wants to play in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, but he is seriously considering a an offer from a European club.

Negotiations between the ARU and Smith have been put on hold while the Brumbies mourn the death of forward Shawn Mackay.

"We've talked to a few people around the world as well as the ARU and the Brumbies, and George will make a decision in the next week or two," Smith's agent Mark Jones said yesterday. "George has a genuine desire to play overseas at some point, but he also has a strong loyalty to the ARU and the Brumbies with a World Cup in the offing.

"It could go either way."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html

[jargan83]

All very slow to comit......

you would have to imagine that money is not the issue as his ARU top up would be rather sizeable so obviously something else is the issue here. Why would George Smith want to escape Canberra and a team on the potential rise? Issues with the coaching staff? Issues with the new committee that will be established in 2010?

he also has a strong loyalty to the ARU and the Brumbies with a World Cup in the offing.

Obviously not as loyal as some would think. If he were loyal he would have signed already

[palitu]

either that or his agent is just putting it out in the media to squeeze the ARU for a little bit more dough. Of course he is going to have other offers.

[Jasper]

Could just be he wants the experience of playing overseas before he gets to old - he has the option now of a couple of seasons in europe and then back to Oz for the world cup.

[AndyS]

All of which will presumably weigh on Waugh's decision...

[Flamethrower]

Is Smith leaving because his promised Captaincy next year is being given to Giteau as a sweetener?

Maybe he feels like he's being screwed and wants to go where he is wanted.

[slomo]

i thought our brumbies contributor to TWF, said no players leave the brumbies?....

[jargan83]

he also said that if a club didn't re-sign a player regardless of circumstances "the club had rejected the player"
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[The Lone Hydrangea]

Wheres our Canberra correspondent when you need him?

[TOCC]

he also said that if a club didn't re-sign a player regardless of circumstances "the club had rejected the player"
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i too remember him saying this

but its true i tell ya, as if QLD would have wanted to keep Moore, Latham, Cordingley, Blake, Roe or Croft... its lucky that QLD cut them loose!

[mudskipper]

Bret Harris | April 15, 2009


Article from: The Australian

ARU and Brumbies officials are confident Smith will re-sign because he wants to play in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, but he is seriously considering a an offer from a European club.

Negotiations between the ARU and Smith have been put on hold while the Brumbies mourn the death of forward Shawn Mackay.

"We've talked to a few people around the world as well as the ARU and the Brumbies, and George will make a decision in the next week or two," Smith's agent Mark Jones said yesterday. "George has a genuine desire to play overseas at some point, but he also has a strong loyalty to the ARU and the Brumbies with a World Cup in the offing.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html

Gentleman and the disenchanted and the fishermen of TWF… This is likely George Smith’s last contract with the ARU and the Brumbies which will see him through to the 2011 RWC... He clearly and rightly wants the best deal for his family. He has chosen to respectfully mourn Shawn Mackay with the Brumbies and will finalise his contract soon.

After 2011 he will likely go to the Northern Hemisphere for new life opportunities. George Smith will re-sign guaranteed... He is looking forward to again playing along side Giteau and the other world-class Brumby/Wallabies next season being genuine contenders pushing for the Brumbies third Super Rugby Championship...

The Brumbies in 2010 will have a word-class hooker, flyhalf, centre and No.7 leading a very talented and strong squad… I think he will want to be a part of that and play alongside his brother Tyrone…

Rabbit could be an element of that squad and win his first S14 championship… he shouldn't miss the opportunity to get on board the bus, destination S14 final 2010…

[travelling_gerry]

or he might sign with the

[GIGS20]

and finish further up the table

[mudskipper]

or he might sign with the

Well it could happen....