DANE DEPARTS

[RugbyWA]

Thursday, 29 July 2010 11:29am
RugbyWA
Dane Haylett-Petty in action for the Emirates Western Force
Dane Haylett-Petty in action for the Emirates Western Force

The Emirates Western Force has agreed to release 21 year old winger Dane Haylett-Petty from the remainder of his contract, due to expire at the end of 2010, allowing him to pursue a playing opportunity in Europe.
Haylett-Petty was born in Durban (South Africa) but grew up in Perth and developed through the RugbyWA system. He made his Super rugby debut in 2008 and continued his progression over the past two seasons to register a total of nine matches.

Emirates Western Force General Manager of Rugby, Mitch Hardy, said it was a decision the club considered long and hard, particularly with the belief that Haylett-Petty’s best performances are ahead of him.

“Dane is a young talented player who is only going to get better,” Hardy said.

“We have invested a lot of time and effort into Dane’s development and offered him an opportunity to continue playing at the Emirates Western Force in season 2011 however he felt a few years away would benefit him.

“Everyone has to walk their own path and Dane departs on good terms. We’re both very open to a possible return in the future and we respect the player's wish to pursue other rugby opportunities. We’ll be watching with interest when the French top 14 starts in the coming months,” said Hardy.

Haylett-Petty will take up a deal in France with Biarritz Olympique who is coached by Australian Jack Isaac..

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[Stone Cold]

Damn. Loads of potential. Hopefully comes back in a couple of years

Good luck Dane!

[GIGS20]

Interesting to hear they tabled an offer, I wonder if it was lucrative, or one of those insulting ones which makes you want to quit on the spot

[Burgs]

Look forward to seeing you back home again soon DHP, go well

[zimeric]

Biarritz is a good club to end up at...

notable players he'll be lining up with:
Ashwin Willemse former SA wing, Takudzwa Ngwenya Zim/US Wing, Iain Balshaw UK fullback, Damien Traille French Centre & Marcelo Bosch Argentine Wing

good luck!

[Sheikh]

Biarritz is a good club to end up at...

notable players he'll be lining up with:
Ashwin Willemse former SA wing, Takudzwa Ngwenya Zim/US Wing, Iain Balshaw UK fullback, Damien Traille French Centre & Marcelo Bosch Argentine Wing

good luck!

Seeing as DHP is predominantly a winger himself, he's going to have a tough time just to get onto the bench.

[jauzy19]

Willemse left Biarritz 2 years ago.

[zimeric]

thanks for that correction Jauzy19... must be a very out of date players roster i was looking at then..

[laura]

Sheet! Big move but good luck to him!! Awesome opportunity for someone his age.

[Rucking Good]

As an Update - DHP has been starting fullback for Biarritz for most of the season and playing very well. His contract offer by the French (as heard on the grape vine) was in excess of 4 times the Force's offer. Good luck to him and hope he heads back in a season or two a better player and considering that he is still only 21 who knows.

[Thequeerone]

Great to hear - and that game time is worth it

[Rucking Good]

Great to hear - and that game time is worth it

You cant beat game time and if heading overseas as a youngster give you that experience it must be beneficial. I just hope we get to see him and others back here in the future.

[palitu]

yeah, great for development, as has been said, game time is where you learn, best of luck buddy.

[jauzy19]

Very promising player indeed, good under high balls and good runner too. He's now the first choice at FB for Biarritz.

[GIGS20]

Good, we need him to fulfill the potential he shows, so we can get him back at the end of his contract!