Western Force hope to snare young Queensland hooker Jack Winchester to replace Argentinian Julian Montoya
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Wed, 13 January 2021 9:30PM
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Picture: Western Force hope to sign Queensland hooker Jack Winchester. Credit: Brad Greenshields
Western Force expect to sign junior Wallabies squad member and Queensland Reds academy hooker Jack Winchester as a replacement for Argentinian Julian Montoya.
It is understood Montoya’s wife has had visa problems that prevented him joining the Force for the Australia Super Rugby and trans-Tasman competitions.
The Force said in a statement: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Julián Montoya will not be travelling to Australia.”
Winchester was a 2018 winner of the prestigious John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship at Bond University.
He played for the Australian School Barbarians in 2017 against a Fiji schoolboys side.
Bond University posted on Facebook: “Congratulations Jack Winchester on your recent Super Rugby signing with the Western Force. Wishing you all the best over there in Western Australia.”
MORE WESTERN FORCE:
Legendary Ireland full-back Rob Kearney was last in Perth nearly eight years ago when the British and Irish Lions kicked off their Australian tour with a big win over the Western Force.
Now he is back, wearing the blue Force jumper.
“It’s been a bit of a long wait. Eight years on I’m back. I would never have thought it,” Kearney said.
He ended a 15-year career with Leinster in September, didn’t think twice when offered the chance to join the Force and met his new teammates today after 14 days’ quarantine in Brisbane.
Kearney is one of a handful of overseas players joining the Force for the Australian Super Rugby and trans-Tasman competitions.
The 2012 European player of the year has a 12-year international career that includes four Six Nations wins, including the 2009 and 2018 grand slam titles, three World Cup campaigns and two Lions tours.
“I suppose what I bring off the field is as important as what I bring on it,” said Kearney, who made 219 appearances for Leinster.
“You’ve got a lot of young guys here who need to and want to develop their game.
“I’m very lucky that I’ve come from teams and cultures where we’ve won a lot of trophies and silverware.
“Hopefully I can incorporate some of that winning mindset and what it takes to be a real high performance team.
“I’m looking forward to challenging myself to a different type of game.
“The climate allows the game to be quicker. There’s a lot more emphasis on attacking rugby.
“The game is evolving. As a group we have to be smart and make sure we are evolving with the changes.”
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