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From the West Australian website.... interesting picture. The guy looks like he has a lot more mongrel in him then Luke Holmes.
It wouldn't surprise me if the ARU buggerised us around a bit on this one. Hope it works out. Hell if the Tahs can get a guy who's nickname is 'Dud' then we should be allowed this guy.
Force in dark over signing of Kiwi rake
NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian January 9, 2010, 10:55 am
Force in dark over signing of Kiwi rake
Lee Griffith © Enlarge photo
The Western Force have been left in limbo over whether they can add New Zealand hooker James Parsons to their 2010 Super 14 squad.
The Force were hoping to have been told yesterday by the Australian Rugby Union that they had clearance to sign the North Harbour rake.
Parsons, 23, has been on a five-day trial with the Force but because the ARU have not notified them of its decision have extended the trial into next week.
The Force, eager to fill the vacant third hooking spot before heading off for two trials in South Africa in 10 days, are happy with Parsons.
Rugby manager Mitch Hardy said: "We have been impressed with the way he has been training.
"James came with an excellent recommendation from his North Harbour coach, (former All Black prop) Craig Dowd.
"We are pleased with what we've seen so far. He's ticking all the right boxes. He's done well.
"He's performed well in the scrum series and the line-out sets.
"He's done well and he'll push the other two blokes. He's shown enough for us to extend his trial period."
If the Force decide to keep him, Parsons will join Rockingham product Ryan Tyrrell and Australia A schoolboy Ben Whittaker in the challenge for the run-on side.
Parsons was a regular first choice for North Harbour in the provincial Air New Zealand Cup competition last season.
The 187cm and 106kg hooker graduated to the North Harbour ANZ Cup squad in 2007 through their academy and second XV ranks and has made 21 appearances.
Parsons, who played No. 8 and openside flanker as a youngster, said: "I'm pretty happy with the way things have gone.
"I was excited to get the opportunity to show myself and hopefully get a gig in Australia.
"I've had a couple of years in the Air New Zealand Cup and I think I've got the goods. It's a lucky break coming here and it's a good one.
"I've just got my fingers crossed now. I've done all I can. It's up to the decision makers now."
The Force have been on a desperate hunt for another hooker since foundation player Tai McIsaac retired last season to coach in Japan and second-string rake Luke Holmes was cut from the squad.
Under ARU rules, Super 14 franchises can sign two overseas players.
One can be a "marquee" player who has already qualified for another country - the Force have signed Andre Pretorius - and the second is a development player who could qualify for Australia selection under the International Rugby Board's three-year residency law.
The ARU blocked the Force bid to sign another Kiwi, Otago hooker Peter Mirrielees, 27, as their overseas development player, claiming he was too old to fit their protocols.
They tried to snare Queensland hooker Sean Hardman, and also missed Australian under-20 captain Damien Fitzpatrick, who re-signed with the NSW Waratahs, Tatafu Polota-Nau, also from the Tahs, and Springbok Bismarck du Plessis.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...-of-kiwi-rake/
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Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
Originally Posted by James
quietly optimistic about an announcement by friday
