EBERSOHN RELEASED BY WESTERN FORCE

[The InnFORCEr]

WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, 29 June 2015


The Western Force has released flyhalf Sias Ebersohn from his contract, allowing him to return to his native South Africa.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Force from the Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs ahead of the 2013 Asteron Life Super Rugby season, has played 43 matches – scoring 212 points – across his three seasons for the Western Australian club.

Ebersohn has made a strong contribution to the club over the past three seasons, including playing a key role during the club’s most successful season in 2014.

However, leading into the 2016 season, the club identified the need to inject additional experience into its young backline, which coincided with an opportunity for Ebersohn to return to South Africa.

Having already signed Jono Lance for next season, the club is currently in the process of recruiting players that will provide the team with that experience.

On behalf of the club, we’d like to thank Sias for his contribution to the Force, and wish he and wife Elette all the best for the future.

[sittingbison]

...On behalf of the club, we’d like to thank Sias for his contribution to the Force, and wish he and wife Elette all the best for the future.

I too would like to thank Sias, he came over here when we were at our most dire post the braindead dick fiasco and genia gate, basically on a whim and a prayer. That was a brave move by the lad...well done young man.

[AndyS]

I have to say that, unless something personal came up back in SA and he requested to go, then I feel a bit sorry for Sias. He clearly played the game that was asked of him, so it would be disappointing if that played any part at all in him leaving the Force. It would also tend to suggest a lack of commitment to the "developing players" aspect of the overseas player allowances. And having both him and Zack leaving simultaneously particularly seems a little baby and bathwater.

[Herbasimplex]

Thank you for your commitment and service to this club Sias, wish you all the very best for your future on an off the rugby pitch.

[SNOB]

Thanks Sias! Very puzzled re our development players.
All the best back in ZA.

[Alison]

I would like to extend my thanks and best wishes to Sias too. He gave nothing but his best to the Force and us supporters. Hope he finds his feet back in SA.

I note from that press release too that we have defs signed Jono Lance. Did we already know that or did they just slip that one in under the radar for some reason? Confused!

[maelkann]

Yeah, we knew.

[chibi]

I wonder if he'll be back in the Currie Cup this season?

[sandgroperrugby]

Gee we want to have signed someone who can play 10 next year and that is on top of lance and burto

[Sheikh]

Gee we want to have signed someone who can play 10 next year and that is on top of lance and burto

In a 31 man squad you want to carry three dedicated fly-halves? Well, actually, all of Lance, Burto and Godwin can play 10 and centre. And if Brache has moved on (I hope not) that leaves those three, plus Rasolea and maybe Tapuai and Dellit as centres.

For the back three, with Cummins and Yamada (I presume) going, we have Morahan and DHP plus Lacey, Scott, Dellit and Nikoro, so one of those will have to step up

[Alison]

Dellit is gone - contract not renewed.

Is Tapuai a definite??

[GIGS20]

I've heard nothing definite about Taps, but that could be typical ARU heel-dragging. The tone of the article makes it sound like they are on the lookout for an experienced 10 in addition to Lance (thank god, I'd say he's utility back at best) that would leave us with two dedicated tens (arguably one, because Burto looks like a pretty handy 12 once he gets some experience)

I don't know that Brache has been moved on but Dellit certainly has. That leaves Burton, Godwin and Lance as definite inside backs with Brache Rasolea and the likes of Nikoro on the outside (bot the position and the relative chance of keeping their contract) so I would say they are wise to look at another inside back and an experienced 10 is where you would be looking.

The 31 man squad really becomes a 36 man squad with the EPS contracts essentially being main squad contracts these days and virtually no limit on WTG. So I'd be looking at whatever it takes in the main squad. You'd normally always be in the lookout for a quality player in the key positions (3, 7, 9, 10) and would generally make room in your squad if an amazing player came up in those positions we're pretty OK with 7 and 9 so 10 is worth chasing harder than normal since it has been our key weakness for a while (10 years is a while right?)

[chibi]

I wonder if it really will be something out of left-field, like Quade, Giteau or Brock James? Stranger things have happened I suppose.

[AndyS]

Possible I suppose, but I doubt they would have been making their moves because they could foresee Q'ld walking away from negotiations with Cooper. I will be very disappointed if they go down the path of getting a "star" again and lose sight of the team culture thing.

[The InnFORCEr]

Too much smoke for the signing Peter Grant not to be fire.

A good mentor for Burto.