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.”
Daz
Guest
Whoops meant Gill.
paleocortex
Guest
And so it goes.
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Are you talking about Jono Lance or Kurtley Beale Jameswm?
Hertryk
Guest
I hope he can kick reliably..
QldFan
Guest
WNM - Imo, your first para was right on the money. As you said there are so many talented players not getting a run, and I wonder why they don't leave. Maybe because they are not getting enough game time to attract attention.
QldFan
Guest
Lack of game time, and trying too hard?
Jameswm
Guest
Lance came to NSW as a hard tackler, with decent hands and a decent boot. A solid all round player. However - and I don't like saying this - he's been a massive disappointment. On the games he's played, he's looked completely out of his depth and has made error after error. Don't know if it's injury or confidence. I hope he can get it back together at the Force.
Jameswm
Guest
Lance doesn't play for the Reds?
Daz
Guest
I've already read one report that quotes Lance as saying if Graham stays he goes. You can draw your own conclusions from that.
Markus
Guest
Worse is that it initially looked like he had timed it really well. He wanted more time in the inside backs but the Reds had Cooper, Lucas, Tapuai and Harris already covering 10 and 12. While when he signed to the Waratahs all he really had to compete with were Bernard Foley yet to prove himself at 10 and Rob Horne eyeing a move from 13 to 12. Beale signed a few months later, Foley followed up with the best season of his career and there went every chance Lance had.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Misses his chances through injury.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
What has happened to Tala Gray, I thought he played really well in the NRC, he monstered Brisbane City's back row. Can't seem to get a run for the Tahs?
scrumpoacher
Guest
Good move really-two premierships under his belt and lots of experience for a young guy- hope some more WA players can get a go over there though all said...
RobC
Roar Guru
Lance was with the Reds. Then win a trophy Lance moves to the Tahs. They win a trophy Will the Force win a trophy next?
Woodsman
Guest
Volavola springs to mind. He's looked the goods for a couple of years now, I'm very surprised nobody has offered him game elsewhere.
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
It almost seems like a strategic move from the Waratahs: Buy a Red player not because you want to play him but because you want the other team not to! I'm being tongue in cheek. Honestly I can't believe the number of good players that languish low in the pecking order deep in the depths of the Waratahs squad. I mentioned the other day that surely some of those guys would be getting a lot more game time at the Force, Reds or Rebels. Or overseas!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Can't help but feel Lance left the Reds and joined the Waratahs at exactly the wrong time. After his departure he would have seen his greatest opportunity at the Reds and the time he was at the Waratahs his least. Had he been at the Reds now he would be seeing plenty of game time.