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EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, 30 April 2012
The Emirates Western Force is continuing to work proactively to further strengthen the club’s playing roster next season while also retaining the best of the current squad.
RugbyWA CEO Vern Reid restated there were several high profile players currently in negotiations to play in Perth next season and despite Will Genia’s decision to remain in Queensland, having earlier agreed to move to WA, it wouldn’t affect the club’s focus of bringing the best talent available to the Emirates Western Force.
Mr Reid also reaffirmed the confidential nature in which the Genia negotiations were carried out and that the news of his possible move was not a by-product of the Emirates Western Force.
“It needs to be made very clear that the Emirates Western Force did not ‘leak’ information in regards to discussions with Will Genia, nor did we claim at any stage that he had agreed to come to Perth,” Mr Reid said.
“What we did do was put our best offer forward to Will’s management and were advised last Thursday evening that the offer was accepted. We moved things forward, all the while paying respect to the recruiting protocols that are in place for all franchises by keeping that information confidential.
“We were as surprised as anyone by the Queensland Rugby Union’s statement on Saturday evening farewelling Will and naming the Emirates Western Force as the club he had agreed to move to.
“While we respect that Will has changed his mind, and had the right to do so, we are obviously disappointed following a verbal agreement a few days earlier and the promise of the paperwork to be signed and returned over the weekend following his arrival back from New Zealand.
“Our focus has been, and will continue to be, the recruitment of high quality personnel to the Emirates Western Force for next season, we’re very confident that we will achieve that in the weeks and months ahead.
“In regards to David Pocock, his situation hasn’t changed to that of last week where he has simply asked to be allowed to concentrate on helping the team in his capacity as Captain and will look to progress contractual matters down the track. It is a situation we’re comfortable with and have no reason to question David’s commitment and passion for the club now or into the future.”