Alfie Mafie on his bike

[PeterM]

THERE is even more pain to come for the hapless Western Force, with one of their most potent attacking weapons, Alfie Mafi, set to join Japanese side Honda after this season. Mafi was in the top 20 players in the competition for most runs and most run metres last season, and has started 2013 in impressive fashion. And Rebels lock Hugh Pyle is believed to be close to signing with the Brumbies for 2014.

[WFDom]

Oh fuck balls

My pre-season optimism & excitement is dissipating fast.

We need a bloody good showing this week!

[rhinobeetle]

how on earth do they get this information yet we hear nothing :/
very sad if its true

[WFDom]

And Rebels lock Hugh Pyle is believed to be close to signing with the Brumbies for 2014.

The rich get richer & the poor get screwed!

[PeterM]

It pains me that these players who are supposed to be committed to the cause are clearly thinking only about themselves and securing big pay days over seas

Oh how I wish Nathan Sharpe was still here too take players like him out the back of the NIB and have a 'chat' with them about showing commitment to the cause and to the supporters

[GAFFA]

where did this come from link?

[jargan83]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1226587995255

Second last paragraph

[GAFFA]

im not sure why he would want to head to japan. I know 2 years ago when David Smith was in town he was close to going to France when he couldnt crack the starting side but to head to Japan so young and in such good form would be a real lose.

Hopefully its just a case of looking whats out there to get the best deal here.

[UNCLE BOOG]

be a shame to lose him, I really rate his running rugby, or as my missus calls him "little digby"
(and he was pretty good at 15 when we were in tatters last season)

[beige]

He wouldn't even be playing at the top level in Japan - Honda plays in the next tier down in a West Japan league.

[WF1964]

I'm not reading any of this shite anymore - it's interfering with my "enjoyment" of the season

[Nipper]

im not sure why he would want to head to japan. I know 2 years ago when David Smith was in town he was close to going to France when he couldnt crack the starting side but to head to Japan so young and in such good form would be a real lose.

Hopefully its just a case of looking whats out there to get the best deal here.

I was thinking the same thing - doesn't make sense. He's just starting to hit his stride, and wouldn't be surprised to see him get a look into the wider Wallabies squad at some point (unless they want to continue to pick crap players like Rod Davies).

He's going to throw it all away to go play for some crap second-tier Japanese club? If it's true, he's getting some mighty bad advice from his "advisors".

[palitu]

Khoder Nassar?

[Alison]

Just tweeted Alfie to ask him why. In his reply he simply said 'who told you I was leaving?' No denial, just that!

Have sent him the link to the article from the Tele.

I await to see what the next move is. Sounds horribly like someone (the Japanese club??) has let the cat out of the bag!

If it turns out to be a load of the usual ES bullshit, I hope the Force come down hard on the hacks in question.

[Muddly]

Just tweeted Alfie to ask him why. In his reply he simply said 'who told you I was leaving?' No denial, just that!

Have sent him the link to the article from the Tele.

I await to see what the next move is. Sounds horribly like someone (the Japanese club??) has let the cat out of the bag!

If it turns out to be a load of the usual ES bullshit, I hope the Force come down hard on the hacks in question.

Am now sitting here awaiting his responce. Could be a very non productive day at work. lol