Ex-Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman signs for English club Northampton

[travelling_gerry]

From correspondents in Northampton, England
May 26, 2009 English club Northampton have signed former Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman on a one-year contract.

Vickerman, who won 54 caps for Australia and played in two World Cups, will combine studying at Cambridge University with playing for the Saints.

"Northampton is a club that has made great strides with the results that the team have had this year," Vickerman, 29, said.

"I've no regrets about moving (from Australia). Cambridge is a great place and it has been fantastic fun.

"Having said that, you always miss playing rugby at the highest level. I was fortunate to experience rugby at that level but sometimes you have to move on.
"As it happens I've been a bit isolated from rugby of late - I've been focussing on my exams!"

Northampton qualified for next season's European Cup on Friday after beating Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup final.

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "Having a player with the experience of Dan Vickerman will help them, and the other young players in the Saints squad, develop.

"Going forward our squad has to have this blend of youth and experience and Dan will bring considerable know-how from his time with the Wallabies, New South Wales and the ACT Brumbies."

Vickerman was born in Cape Town and played for South Africa Under-21s before moving to Australia, where he progressed through the ranks to make his Test debut in 2002.

Vickerman's last Test for Australia was a 27-15 victory over South Africa in August 2008 before he moved to Cambridge to begin his degree.

Agence France-Presse

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...016959,00.html

[prop53]

good luck to him

[slomo]

another quality player lost overseas.....

[jargan83]

wasnt he already overseas?
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[beige]

Yup

[slomo]

played his last game for the tahs in last years final.....

[James]

He only signed a one-year deal = he'll be back in Oz for 2011 and take a crack at the World Cup. Otherwise why not sign a longer deal? You'll see him back at the Tahs soon enough.

[sandgroperrugby]

This will just enable him to keep up match fitness at a high level of competition so he is not coming back here cold.

[beige]

Hope so

[AndyS]

To be honest, it would probably help the cause of keeping top players here if returning players weren't rushed unceremoniously back into the Wallabies. They should have to play at least a season of Super rugby to demonstrate that they are still the best choice for the spot.

[Jehna]

He went over to study economics right? So it seems logical that if he had any thoughts of coming back to rugby he has to play at some point to keep up fitness