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Western Force and Wallaby back Cameron Shepherd has given the Perth side and Australian rugby another long-term fillip by announcing he will stay in Western Australia for another two years.
Following skipper Nathan Sharpe’s decision to recommit to the Force, Shepherd today finalised a deal with RugbyWA and the Australian Rugby Union that will keep him in Perth until the end of the 2010 season.
Shepherd, who sits seven points shy of 300 points in Super Rugby and is on the verge of his 50th Super rugby cap, had been targeted by both the ACT Brumbies and the Waratahs, who the Force play tonight.
But the inaugural Force squad member said having been integral to the Force’s development in their first three years, he wanted to stay and reap the possible rewards.
“Having been here since day one I have seen the way the team has progressed and I honestly believe that if we play to our potential we can give this competition a real shake this season,” Shepherd said.
“And with the talent we’ve got coming through, the future looks great as well. There’s no reason why we can’t become a dominant team in the competition for years to come.”
Shepherd carved his name into Force folklore last season when his after-the-siren conversion booted the team to a first victory at Subiaco Oval against the Hurricanes.
“It was a very proud moment for me personally to kick the winning goal but it was a special night for the entire team,” Shepherd said.
“We’d worked so hard to earn that first home win and it couldn’t have been any sweeter when I saw the ball sail through the posts.”
RugbyWA’s acting chief executive Mitch Hardy said he and the rest of the Force hierarchy were relieved and pleased to have convinced Shepherd to remain in WA.
“After weighing up his options carefully we’re absolutely delighted that Cameron decided the Force program is the best one for him to continue his development as a rugby player and to attain his goal of becoming the Wallabies fullback,” Hardy said.
The Force and incoming chief executive Greg Harris will now continue their push to get playmaker Matt Giteau to commit his Super 14 future to Perth, having already agreed a deal with the ARU to keep him in Australia until after the 2011 World Cup.
And Force recruiters also have their eye on Waratahs backrower Rocky Elsom and scrumhalf Josh Valentine, Reds prop Stephen Moore as well as facing a fight to retain teenage powerhouse David Pocock.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.