Waratahs utility Jono Lance has signed with the Western Force for the 2016 and 2017 Super Rugby seasons after two years with the defending champions.
Lance will add further depth to an improving Force backline, particularly in the centre and fullback positions where he has played most of his Super Rugby for the Reds and Waratahs.
Lance has remained a bit-part player for the Waratahs, struggling to find a regular starting position among the wealth of talented backs at their disposal.
Lance enjoyed three fairly successful years at the Reds, starting at fullback in the 2011 Super Rugby grand final, and centre, but left Queensland and won a premiership with the Waratahs in 2014.
He says he’s looking forward to representing the Force in 2016.
“I’ve played with a lot of players at the Force previously – guys like Luke Morahan, Ian Prior, Heath Tessmann and Dane Haylett-Petty – at school or grade rugby,” Lance said.
“Speaking to them, they all say how much they love living in Perth and how much they’re enjoying their footy at the Force, and it’s something that you can’t help but want to be a part of.
“Luke Morahan’s one of my best mates and he says how much he enjoys living over there, and how much he loves being a part of the squad at the Force – it’s a great group of guys that get along really well, and it’s important to have that in a rugby team.
“The team obviously had a very impressive season last year in recording nine wins – the best season in the Force’s history. This year, it’s easy to get caught up in wins and losses, but for me personally, it’s been important to see how the guys are playing for each other and really pushing in every game. It’s important how they continue to stick together and I’m keen to be a part of that moving forward.
“Over the past few seasons I’ve sat in the wings behind a number of Wallaby five-eighths, Wallaby centres and Wallaby fullbacks. I’ve grown and learned a lot from them over the last few years but now I’m really to keen make a position my own, and I’d want to be able to use what I’ve learned to contribute to the team moving forward.”
Force mentor Michael Foley says Lance will add great depth to the squad.
“Jono’s a tough competitor who will provide additional versatility and depth across our backline,” he said.
“With an ability to play 10, 12 and 15, Jono is also a strong goal-kicker and is hungry for an opportunity to play regularly in Super Rugby.”
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