Force CEO confirms O'Connor to remain

[travelling_gerry]

Justin Chadwick

July 29, 2009 - 12:24PM
Western Force chief executive Vern Reid expects teen sensation James O'Connor to sign a new two-year deal with the Super 14 franchise "very soon".
O'Connor, who knocked back offers from the ACT Brumbies, NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds, has agreed to remain with the Force but can't put pen to paper until he finalises his contract with the Australian Rugby Union.
The 19-year-old has featured regularly for the Wallabies this season and is shaping as a key player for Australia in their bid to win the 2011 World Cup.
Reid said he was hopeful O'Connor would re-sign with the Force in the coming weeks.
"James has committed to the Western Force but our contracts are a three-way contract between the club, the player and the ARU... and the final details are being worked out and we trust that will happen very, very soon," Reid said.
Force coach John Mitchell also confirmed O'Connor would be with the Force until at least the end of 2011.
"His major issue is just with the ARU," Mitchell said.
"There's some elements within his contract that needs to be sorted out in that area but certainly he's with us for the 2010, 2011 seasons."
While the Force have lost the services of Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth and Josh Valentine, Mitchell was quietly confident about the squad he had assembled for the upcoming season.
Former Springboks flyhalf Andre Pretorius, Matt Dunning, Brett Sheehan, Nic Henderson and Tim Fairbrother have arrived to bolster the Force's playing stocks.
"It's been a really good period for us," Mitchell said.
"Naturally players have come off contract and we've been very fortunate to strengthen certain areas within the group.
"We've become even more experienced up front, we've brought more experience into the backline through the acquisition of Andre Pretorius, who's been an international.
"He'll bring further strength to us after the loss of Matt.
"Collectively, we've got a group who'll be far more experienced."

http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/bre...0729-e0uv.html

[KenyaQuin]

Quite a few sceptics around or very very very cautious Force supporters.

[zimeric]

im a glass half full bloke... OConnor will sign for us, so will Digby... We'll win the S14 next year... The wallabies will Take home the Bledisloe and Tri-nations and WA will declare independance !

[Thequeerone]

zimeric for president

[bunter]

Sick of hearing about it. Only want to hear when there is a signature thanks.

[TOCC]

hate to be pessimistic, but only days ago Herbert released a similar press release in regards to Barnes

[Hoolly Doolly]

hate to be pessimistic, but only days ago Herbert released a similar press release in regards to Barnes

....thats what i was thinking

[GIGS20]

Quite a few sceptics around or very very very cautious Force supporters.

Call me the latter

[mudskipper]

why hasn't he signed? where this commitment.... The hold up must be the ARU want a more realistic price.... because the Force have given him everything they've got...

[Action Hardcore]

[Bronski Beat]

O'Connor would want to play VERY well next season. I'm not sure Jesus would even be this hard to sign up.

James, if you are reading this, if you want to run with the big dogs, you have to learn to pi$$ on big trees.