Western Force lure former Brumbie Bartholomeusz back to Australia

[travelling_gerry]

THE Western Force have convinced former Brumbies utility back Mark Bartholomeusz to return to Australia.[/B]

The versatile Bartholomeusz, 32, will return to Australia as revealed by PerthNow last month.

He has played 68 Super 14 matches for the Brumbies, scoring 20 tries, has signed a two-season contract.

Bartholomeusz left the country for English premiership side Saracens in 2003 and signed for Ulster in the Magners competition three years later.

Last season he moved to Italian Super 10 side Padova.

While at the Brumbies, Bartholomeusz played in every backline position except halfback.

A strong runner with a good kicking game Bartholomeusz, also has a rather dubious record - having the fourth shortest international rugby union career.

In 2002, he played for 2 minutes and 33 seconds for the Wallabies in his only Test against Italy.

Ironically new Force prop Nick Henderson is one of the only players to have had a shorter international match

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

[laura]

Glad for the signing but he seems a bit old.

[sandgroperrugby]

Glad for the signing but he seems a bit old.

So was spanner and i wouldnt have traded him for Quids..

Welcome Bart hope you can fill the voids left.

[laura]

Good point!! Hope RWA make an official statement soon.

[TOCC]

interesting signing, adds some maturity to the backline at least

[jono]

great! more backline cover.
he will add some much needed experience to the force. whether he is a regular starter or not. his experieice will be a huge asset to the force

[James]

That leaves us with one hooker and possibly one more outside back from a complete squad. Awesome.

I don't know about anyone else but I like the young talent/old journeymen mix to the squad. Its kind of exciting because you don't know how the Force is going to turn out next year and what their game plan will be like. Bartholomeusz makes 4 people capable of playing 10 (and thats discluding Stefano Hunt). I think that unknown factor is really cool.

[sandgroperrugby]

Wonder how many trips the recruiters have done over to the republic in search of a young up and coming Hooker who they can develop into a Wallaby???

[GIGS20]

We've done well out of second chance men, so I think he'll do alright for us!

[blueandblack]

Do we have a submarine heading our way?

[Ecky]

I like this signing. For some of the reasons already listed here. Onya

[shasta]

Do we have a submarine heading our way?

Apparently due about late February, transporting the Brumbies' new match committee (it's a mini sub). Rugby WA has made arrangements for it to be greeted with a very large depth charge.

[Stone Cold]

Glad for the signing but he seems a bit old.

Thats a bit rough...32 is not old!

Methinks he will be one of those guys who plays for a year or two and then ends up on the coaching roster...

[jjk]

The recruitment by the Western Force has been quite impressive.
The only position the Force might need to cover is an experienced hooker, I've watched Ben Whittaker play in the Shute Shield and he has been quite impressive and I think he can more than handle Super 14 rugby.
With the addition of Matt Dunning, Tim Fairbrother and Nic Henderson the Force certainly have alot of depth in the front row.
The addition of Pretorius is a good one. In the games I watched him play last season he went pretty well.
I checked Mark Bartholomeusz and it seems he is more of a fullback or winger than an inside back which is good. It allows the flexibilty of playing O'Connor (if he signs) at 12 or 15. Cameron Shepherd can also play 15.
The signing of Sam Harris is a good one. When he got game time at the tahs he performed quite well. Whilst playing most of his union career as a 12 he can now play 10 which allow the Force to change the way they play.
I reckon the team will look something like this -
Cowan, Whittaker, Dunning, Sharpe (c), Hockings, Hodgson, Pocock (vc) Brown, Sheehan, Pretorius, Sare, Harris, Cross, Shepherd, O'Connor (if he signs) Tyrell, Fairbrother, Stanford, Wykes, O'Young, Bartholomeusz, Cummins/Haylett-Petty
I think it looks quite good!

[AndyS]

Welcome jjk. One thing is certain, it will strike a new (and hopefully better) balance between the forwards and backs.

Anyone know just how good a fullback Bartholomeusz is, on the off-chance Sheps problems preclude kicking?