0
Chris Dutton, Canberra Times | June 9, 2009 - 12:18PM
The ACT Brumbies will no longer pursue the signature of boom Wallabies teenager James O'Connor for the 2010 Super 14 season.
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said yesterday the club was "moving on" from its attempt to lure O'Connor to the capital and follow in the footsteps of flyhalf Matt Giteau.
"I'm actually working pretty firmly on the basis that he will stay over there [in Perth] and that hasn't changed," Fagan said.
"I've got nothing to suggest he's coming to us, we're sort of moving on in that regard and making plans and we have been probably for the last three weeks."
Fagan said the Brumbies would still invest in a young outside back, but a decision was not likely in the coming weeks.
The Brumbies had been considered favourites to gain talented utility back O'Connor when Mark Gerrard announced he was leaving Canberra to start a stint in Japan.
Despite the 18-year-old being in camp with the Wallabies in Canberra this week, Fagan and O'Connor will not meet.
Fagan said he had not completely ruled out signing O'Connor, but they were exploring other options in the meantime.
O'Connor is still undecided on his future, and said there was no time frame on his decision.
"I'm still a little while off making a decision, it's a big decision for me so I just want to wait and make the right one," O'Connor told The Canberra Times.
"It is coming to a close but I've got no news just yet."
While O'Connor is unlikely to join the two-time Super champions, trio Peter Kimlin, Mark Chisholm and Salesi Ma'afu have agreed to terms with the Brumbies and are just finalising specific details.
Following the signing of Rocky Elsom, the Brumbies have offered Mitchell Chapman a new deal and expect a decision on his future by the end of the week.
Chapman's flanker partner Julian Salvi will leave to join a team in either Europe or Japan.
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...313122948.html