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BRUMBIES blindside flanker Peter Kimlin has agreed to play with French club Grenoble at the end of the season.
Kimlin, 27, has played 62 Super Rugby games for the Brumbies since making his debut against the Stormers in 2007 but has played only two Tests, both against Italy in 2009.
Without an ARU top-up, Kimlin could not make the kind of money he can earn in France.
The departure of Kimlin could open the door to former Wallabies back-five forward Hugh McMeniman in Canberra.
While Kimlin and prodigal son George Smith will compete for the starting blindside flanker role this season, both will be gone next year.
McMeniman returned to Australia this year to join the Western Force after playing in Japan for four years.
McMeniman, who is 200cm and 114kg, would add size and athleticism to the Brumbies' pack in the second row or as blindside flanker. He is the physical and abrasive type of forward that Brumbies coach Jake White loves to have in his team.
...But the Force would be anxious to retain McMeniman, who is tipped to make a comeback with the Wallabies this year.
New Force coach Michael Foley is in a major rebuilding phase and keeping McMeniman in Perth would be a high priority.
As its upset loss to the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth indicated, the Force is almost back to where it began when it entered the Super Rugby competition in 2006.
The Force is believed to be launching a raid on east coast players as it did when the expansion franchise was first set up.
It is understood the Force has already expressed interest in Reds second-rower Rob Simmons and fullback Luke Morahan.
If McMeniman decided to leave, he may consider returning to his original franchise, the Reds.
McMeniman played for the Reds from 2005 to 2009.
Unlike the Brumbies, the Reds do not have an obvious vacancy for McMeniman.
But if Simmons left or if James Horwill failed to make a successful comeback from his injuries, McMeniman could become an option for the Reds.
At the moment the Reds appear more focused on retaining players than recruiting.
They have used up much of their salary cap retaining players such as halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper and will be keen to keep Simmons and tighthead prop James Slipper.
Meanwhile, former Hurricanes halfback Chris Eaton has joined the Force on a short-term contract as cover for injured Brett Sheehan.
Sheehan is sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained while playing for the Wallabies against Italy in Florence last November.
He is expected to make his comeback next month.
The Force will tackle the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday (AEST), which means it is facing a 0-3 win-loss start to the season.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spor...-1226586344689
---------- Post added at 08:07 ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 ----------
Bret Harris take a bow for the worst artical of the week.
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Originally Posted by todd4
