Western Force signs O'Young

[KenyaQuin]

Western Force signs O'Young
EXCLUSIVE: Bret Harris | February 19, 2008

Western Force signs O'Young | The Australian

HALFBACK Chris O'Young is expected to join the Western Force in South Africa after signing with the Super 14 team for three years.

O'Young, who played for the Force in their inaugural season in 2006, has been playing for Scottish side Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League.

The Force will try to have O'Young cleared in time to play against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

While O'Young is ostensibly a replacement for injured back-up halfback Adam Clarke, he will become the Force's first-choice scrumhalf if Matt Henjak's contract is terminated at a tribunal hearing in Perth tonight.

Henjak, who started at halfback in the Force's loss to the Sharks in Durban last Saturday, and winger Haig Sare face having their contracts torn up after being involved in a fight, which left Sare with a broken jaw.

O'Young will provide the Force with the experience they need at the scrumbase if Henjak is released.

A product of St Patrick's College, Strathfield, O'Young was previoulsy Chris Whitaker's back-up at NSW Waratahs in 2005.

It is understood the Force is also interested in Queensland Reds academy halfback/five-eighth Ben Lucas, who was highly regarded by former Wallabies coach John Connolly.

[BLR]

It is understood the Force is also interested in Queensland Reds academy halfback/five-eighth Ben Lucas, who was highly regarded by former Wallabies coach John Connolly.

That should be a good reason NOT to sign him...

[slomo]

well theres a surprise.....

[Thequeerone]

Do we know if he's fit - apart from dodging the icicles has he been in serious training in Glasgow

[prop53]

never return to where you left, thats the old saying.

[jono]

yeah. i agree.

[PerthGirl]

Hasn't he still got a contract at Glasgow? How could he get out of it?

[slomo]

Hasn't he still got a contract at Glasgow? How could he get out of it?

brian burke got it sorted out.......

[brokendown gunfighter]

he'll get a rectangular stadium for us too

[Shaun]

O' Young is a good ball distributor; but is not a long term find. He lacks an 'X' factor and I would have prefered to see the Force look at other options, saying this O' Young will do the job well.

[brokendown gunfighter]

what other options?

[AndyS]

Such as - I can't think of a whole lot of scrum halves kicking around that aren't on someones S14 list, so were you thinking of Gregan or something?

[littleleck]

Ha Gregan good one..
But yeh we do need to find someone who does more than just distribute the ball. What is the ARU's stance on importing overseas players these day? I can't remember. I reckon Michalak will be awesome for Sharks.

[brokendown gunfighter]

any player in an Australian franchise must be eligible for Wallaby selection

[GIGS20]

The ARU's stance Leck is if they can't be wallabies they're out of bounds! Leaves very little room to move.......Possibly we could petition them that since they put so much pressure on us to remove Henners from our books, they should allow us some latitude in replacing him!