0
Western Force inaugural captain Nathan Sharpe will sign a new contract today that will guarantee he finishes his Super Rugby career at the club.
Sharpe has honoured his word to the Force that, despite initially being given the cold shoulder by the Australian Rugby Union, he would not move overseas. The news will be a huge boost to the Force as they try to revive their flagging season.
It will also be a huge relief to club management, which will now be hoping its other Wallabies who are off contract at the end of this year, including James O'Connor, Ben McCalman and Matt Hodgson, will follow their captain's lead.
The Force have been frustrated in efforts to secure their stars by the ARU's contracting process.
Sharpe's signing comes as the Force search for just their second win of the season when they clash with the Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday. The 33-year-old has been an inspirational captain and been unwavering in his commitment even in the darkest times.
He is in the best form of a long career that has taken in 93 Tests and a Super Rugby record 139 games.
This year's losses have left him shattered and he has often appeared ashen-faced and drained when fronting the media after games.
He has been carrying a huge workload, carting the ball forward and not shirking at the line-out.
It is understood that the ARU made a new offer to Sharpe after initially refusing to give him a Wallaby top-up and offering an incentive contract that kicked in only after he played six Tests.
He made a huge decision to move west, leaving the Queensland Reds, where he was a crowd favourite.
Sharpe revealed to The West Australian a year ago that he wanted to extend his contract at the Force.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...uggling-force/
Reply With Quote
Supporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
Legend! You richly deserve some success from the Force Sharpie, given your 100% commitment to the club on and off the field from day one. Hope we can do a Reds next year for ya..
