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![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
Today's West has finally cleared up the mystery of Jimmy Hilgendorf's early release from his contract.
He has been offered a chance to go to Japan on a 3 year deal. At the end of 3 years he will become a naturalised Japan citizen and qualify to play for Japan in RWC 2011.
Good onya - have fun enjoy the sushi - shame really thought he would make a fantastic commentator.
61 years between Grand SlamsWas the wait worth it - Ya betta baby
Just finished reading that very article.
Good luck to him - he was The Find in our first season, then no bugger got injured for him to retain his spot.
Good Luck Jimmy
Ganbatte kudasai, Jimmy-san!
Who will I randomly bump into around Subi now??
Good luck Jimmy, enjoy the sashimi & look forward to watching you play the Wallabies at the RWC!!
Hilgendorf signs to play in Japan
DAVE HUGHES
9 May 2008
Western Force yesterday granted fly-half Jimmy Hilgendorf an early contract release so he could make a bid to represent Japan at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
Hilgendorf revealed yesterday he had signed a deal with Osaka club Kintetsu after being told he would qualify to play for Japan having played three seasons in the nation’s first division.
“I start there in three weeks and that gives me a shot at the World Cup,” said Hilgendorf, who started 15 matches for the Force in 2006 and 2007.
“It’s a big call for me but with Matt Giteau concentrating on No. 10 now, I can’t see too much future in Perth.
“There’s a huge career opportunity for me if I move quickly. If I went to Europe I’d just be playing club rugby every week, but this Japanese deal has a pretty spectacular possibility at the end of it.”
To live his dream, Hilgendorf would have to stay fit and displace another naturalised player from the Cherry Blossoms.
Starting at fly-half for Japan in the Asian Five-Nations tournament this week is former New Zealander James Arlidge, who played a Super 12 season for each of the Blues and Highlanders at the start of the decade.
One of three Australasians in the Japan back line, Arlidge was selected for last year’s World Cup but broke a leg before the tournament began.
Hilgendorf has only just recovered from a serious setback of his own. He tore a hamstring during last year’s Australian Rugby Championship and resumed full training only last month.
all the best jimmy, look forward to seeing you at RWC2011, in a cherry blossoms jersey......
Ack! Shame to see him go! Will always think of Jimmy as our fly-half!
Gambatte Jimbo!
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
Right about now I hope Mitch Hardy is putting in a phone call to J. Hilgendorf
Its worked before, no reason why not now.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
heh - I read through this thread today![]()
Hilgs probably feels more screwed over by RugbyWA than Gits...![]()
He was a bit unlucky with injuries. I hope he is keen to put aside his RWC dream aside to come back to the Force. It can't be too good playing in the World Cup for a team that routinely gets pumped and one that you aren't really a part of. Seems a bit of a cop out to me representing a country that you've no real connection to.
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
Maybe he is just sick of sushi and wants to come home
61 years between Grand SlamsWas the wait worth it - Ya betta baby
just saw jimmy in karrinyup must be on holiday![]()
BOKKE“Let me put it this way, A Springbok team contains Afrikaners, Englishmen, coloureds and blacks. It has parochial foes in Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions. It is a recipe for war! Yet in all the years of John Smit’s captaincy, there has never been one unhappy customer, not one voice of rebellion against his leadership. He is the glue that holds the Springboks together. The man is a legend!”- Jake White
Again? He was on holiday when the Force were in Canberra...All these coincidences! I sure hope it means Jimmy is putting the finishing touches on a new Force contract!!
awfully convienent thats for sure
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