Shepherd’s Northampton rugby deal torn up
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Former Wallabies utility Cameron Shepherd’s career is in limbo after English Premiership club Northampton tore up his new contract on medical advice.
The 28-year-old fullback and winger was due to join the Saints on a three-year deal this month after seven seasons with Super Rugby team the Western Force.
But the Australian’s arrival was subject to several conditions and, on advice from Northampton’s medical team, the club cancelled Shepherd’s contract.
The gifted Shepherd debuted for the NSW Waratahs as a 20-year-old and, after being picked for Australia two years later, he won the last of his nine caps for the Wallabies in 2010.
He has spent long periods on the sidelines in recent seasons, with groin and wrist injuries restricting him to just two games for the Force in 2012.
“Obviously, it is important to believe we will get the most out of our squad throughout the season,” said Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
“With a minimum of 32 games (a season) … our campaign is the most demanding in the world.
“We obviously monitored Cameron’s condition between signing his contract and his scheduled arrival and, after great consideration, felt that on balance we needed more certainty about his ability to handle the tough demands of our long season for the duration of his three-year contract.
“We know Cameron has ability and are confident that he will be with another club soon.”
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The Crowd Says (9) | Page 1 of Comments
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August 7th 2012 @ 4:00pm
Wilson said | August 7th 2012 @ 4:00pm | Report comment
What a tragic turn of events. Such a promising young player, yet he has barely played two games back to back in years at the Force. Constantly injured. He had just moved his wife and young child all the way to the UK. To get an about turn like this will be heartbreaking. Not sure that another club will touch him now that Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder has gone so public with this news. Surely this could have been done quietly so that he could look elsewhere while under the radar? All the best to you and your young family Cameron.
August 7th 2012 @ 4:44pm
Denby said | August 7th 2012 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
That is terrible. I was very upset when Cameron left the Tahs as he was a great player with allot of talent. I hope he can get his body right and play out the remainder of his career.
August 7th 2012 @ 6:16pm
Bakkies said | August 7th 2012 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
Northampton did this when they cut van Niekerk before he played a match. He went on to sign with Toulon and is still there.
August 7th 2012 @ 9:14pm
Damo said | August 7th 2012 @ 9:14pm | Report comment
Maybe Northampton have made a mistake?
I saw shepherd play for the Tahs when he was about 20.
He had a ton of talent.
Sadly his career seemed to stall. I expected him to make it as a wallaby.
Hope he can find another team.
August 7th 2012 @ 10:41pm
Bakkies said | August 7th 2012 @ 10:41pm | Report comment
It’s rumoured to be Sale
August 8th 2012 @ 10:04am
Wilson said | August 8th 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Yeah I hear through the grapevine that this was a true to form crap move by Northampton. I hear that Cameron is already lined up an alternative club and an announcement is imminent. What a dirtbag thing to do.
August 8th 2012 @ 11:38pm
Bakkies said | August 8th 2012 @ 11:38pm | Report comment
Not really most professional clubs have medical tests as a clause in a contract before allowing a player to join the squad. Shepherd was obviously in no condition to start a 30 plus game season in a matter of weeks. Biarritz let Dunning go when he failed a medical. The Tarts should have done this before they allowed Elsom to sign. It would have saved them a lot of time and effort.
August 8th 2012 @ 10:29am
Albo said | August 8th 2012 @ 10:29am | Report comment
You know I think that the Tahs could really have used him for the next few seasons as a bench utility. I know his injury run is pretty horrific but he would be an enormously useful 60+ minute player and it wouldn’t be as hard on his body thus increasing his longevity.
Horrible thing to happen to the poor guy by N’hampton. I hope he gets picked up soon. Quality player and over the years has become a much more humble and affable chap. Good luck to him and his family.
August 8th 2012 @ 11:39pm
Bakkies said | August 8th 2012 @ 11:39pm | Report comment
The Tarts have signed Cam Crawford from the Brumbies who is a similar player to Shepherd. I reckon he would be of value to the Rebels to replace Huxley and Gerrard both goalkicking utility backs.