Force targeting big names

[benny]

March 11, 2008

THE Brumbies are poised to join Western Force in the race to sign disillusioned Australian and Queensland hooker Stephen Moore.

And the Force is also believed to be interested in NSW blindside flanker Rocky Elsom, as well as New Zealand props Ben Franks and Tim Fairbrother.

The 25-year-old is seriously considering exercising a release-clause in his contract, which will allow him to play for another Australian team next year.

While the Force has already expressed interest in Moore, the he is genuine in his desire to leave Queensland.

"But he is a quality player and we would explore the opportunity if it came up.

"He is the incumbent Wallaby No2 and he's still young. We would be interested."

Elsom will not think about which Super 14 team he will play for until he sorts out his Wallabies' top-up deal with the ARU.

If he fails to reach a satisfactory agreement with the ARU, he is likely to pursue his career overseas.

But should Elsom manage to secure a better deal from the ARU, the Force is certain to make a play for the 25-year-old.

The Force has several good backrowers, but lacks a specialist blindside flanker.

"It will be a couple of weeks before things are finalised," Elsom said. "We are at the stage where we will have another chat to work out what's important for both of us.

"I'm past the stage of further negotiations. I'm just hoping to make a choice."

There is also speculation the Force is interested in Franks and Fairweather, who play for the Crusaders and Hurricanes respectively.

Franks was born in Melbourne, while it is believed Fairbrother has Australian ancestry, which makes them both eligible to play for the Wallabies.

However it is understood Franks is contracted to the Crusaders for another couple of years.



Rocky Elsom won't come the ARU wont release him with the "tahs" crying blue murder again about us (EWF) stealing players..

[gustafsl]

Whatever.

Franks and Fairbrother are a bit of a surprise because most wouldn't know that they are eligible for Wallabies. But is it really news, or a big surprise, that we are interested in Elsom or Moore? There are only four Aussie teams so if a player is in his prime and decides to leave one team, chances are the other three are going to be interested. The only case would be if the team already has a specialist at that position. In this case the Tahs have Frier, and even though he is crap, they think he is half decent, so probably wouldn't take a shot at Moore.

[tdevil]

Elsom will be a good investment, I've always rated him as one of the best flankers. Not to concerned with the Kiwi rejects

[Swee_82]

I dare say my sister would never speak to me again if we recruited Rocky, but I'm all for it!

[littleleck]

THE Brumbies are poised to join Western Force in the race to sign disillusioned Australian and Queensland hooker Stephen Moore.

And the Force is also believed to be interested in NSW blindside flanker Rocky Elsom, as well as New Zealand props Ben Franks and Tim Fairbrother.
......
While the Force has already expressed interest in Moore, the he is genuine in his desire to leave Queensland.

"But he is a quality player and we would explore the opportunity if it came up.

"He is the incumbent Wallaby No2 and he's still young. We would be interested."

Well I think that we have a fairly good future with Holmes really..we already know what Moore is capable of and i think the whole of Australia hopes we can find a better hooker for the future..I say we stick to Holmes and see how he develops. He has looked promising this year. What is his throwing like because I haven't noticed. We know that Moore's is suspect. And also i reckon we should be after Polota-Nau, because he can hardly get a run for the poof-tahs and we all know how much talent he has..

[shasta]

Not to concerned with the Kiwi rejects

Serious? I wouldn't consider either of those a reject. Certainly not Ben Franks. He was born in Melbourne only 24 years ago. With the premature retirement of Gus Scott we are light-on in the prop department so either or both would be an asset.

Elsom would be awesome, obviously. With him joining our loosies we could start to match the brilliant running backrows of the NZ sides that we aspire to beat.

[GIGS20]

Yeah I'd be very interested in seeing what the Rock can pull out of the kitbag with some decent coaching, don't forget, he's probably the undisputed number 6 in the country playing for the reTahds!

Imagine what Mitch will turn him into.

As for Franks, he'd certainly be money well spent, and would (I think) be keen to follow Robbie across the ditch, that might be motivation enough for him to seek early release. The only hurdle I can see is that the Curse-aders might not want to let him go!

[AndyS]

I could understand another prop, as with one injury our only remaining standby will be Longbottom (anything but disrespect to him, but he is a rookie). But I don't understand why we would be interested in Moore - were he to come here, I would expect Holmes would leave and that would be a tragedy. Surely we'd be better off getting a young player for cover? I thought at one stage they had picked up Ryan Tyrell, but if not him, we should be looking to develop a good young scrummaging hooker.

Same with Rocky - good player, but surely with all the depth we have in the back row we've got the blindside covered. With Sharpe, O'Connor, Hocking and Timani as specialist locks, and assuming Pocock, Fava, Brown, Hodgson and Horua cover the openside and 8, that still leaves us Pusey, Fardy and Wykes to specialise at blindside. If we are thin anywhere it is not the back row and, if there is any feeling that we are, perhaps it is because they are unsure of their role. They should be allowed to first concentrate on being the best 6 possible rather than covering a range of positions. We should be looking at our opensides as competition for Elsom's Wallaby position, not looking to poach him. Personal opinion, but at least two of our guys could be as good or better.

[KenyaQuin]

Right with you on that Andy re Rocky. Would be handy to have him but at what cost? I am assuming the interest in Rocky is more to do with Pocock coming off-contract. Should BamBam stay on, I think we should allow our current crop of flankers the opportunity to develop further. Save the money for negotiations with other players on our list coming off-contract.

[slomo]

Whatever.

In this case the Tahs have Frier, and even though he is crap, they think he is half decent, so probably wouldn't take a shot at Moore.

cannot agree with you there mate frier is the number one hooker in the country right now, and then theres moore and faingaa........were better sticking with holmes, hes got a big future ahead of him, mcisaac is handy to back him up in years to come

[Ben Cousins]

Fairbrother and Franks are quality fullstop. Fairbrother was considered a future All Black just a few seasons ago. Get em on board.

[Fullback]

Where did you find that article benny? Do you have the link?

Cheers