Western Force and Wallabies number eight Ben McCalman has re-signed with Australian Rugby, becoming the second man after Waratahs half Bernard Foley to sign a flexible deal.
The backrower has signed on for three more years, keeping him in Australia until the end of 2018. He will also remain at the Force for those three seasons.
As part of the flexible deal, he will be eligible to play a season in Japanese domestic rugby after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
McCalman will then return for the 2016 Super Rugby season with the Force.
ARU CEO Bill Pulver said earlier this year that it was likely flexible contracts would be capped at around five or six key players, making the retention of McCalman an interesting signing.
McCalman said it was important for him to remain eligible for the Wallabies, and he was keen to repay the favours the Force had done for his career.
“The Western Force gave me an opportunity early in my career and I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences here in Perth over the past six years,” McCalman said.
“We’ve made giant strides on and off the field over the past few seasons and it was important for me that I continued to be part of the journey. I feel it is the best place for me to play my Rugby and continue to develop as a player over the next three years.
“I’d also like to thank the Australian Rugby Union for the opportunity to continue my Rugby here in Perth. I’m excited about the opportunity to play a season in Japan at the end of the Rugby World Cup, before focusing exclusively on my Rugby in Australia until at least the end of 2018.”
McCalman said his sole focus was on earning Wallabies selection with the Force.
“I’m really happy to be staying here in Perth for another three years,” he said.
“It’s great to stay with the club that gave me my first opportunity, but it’s also exciting to be a part of a young team as we continue to develop.
“We had a strong season last year, and while we’ve fallen away a bit this season in terms of results, we’re a young team and it was always going to take a few years for us to reach our full potential.
“That’s a great challenge for us though, and I’m really excited to be here for another three seasons and be able to contribute to reaching that potential.
“Over the past three seasons, the squad’s remained really tight and there’s still a lot of belief within the squad that we can play finals rugby in seasons to come – which I think we’re capable of doing.”
“Personally, I’m really happy where I am and I think this is the best place for me to play my rugby,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve really developed, particularly over the last year or two, and I feel like I’m playing some of my best rugby.
“I’ve learnt a lot from the coaches we’ve had through here over the years. I feel like I’m learning a lot from Foles [Michael Foley] and our coaching staff here at the moment, and I know that there are still areas of my game I can continue to improve and develop.”
“It’s no secret that everyone wants to be part of the World Cup squad, but the only thing you can control at the moment is your own form at Super Rugby,” he said.
“We’ve had a challenging season to date, but there is a strong resolve amongst the squad to turn things around, and I’m really looking forward to getting that started with an important game against the Brumbies on Friday night.”
McCalman played every minute of all four matches against Wales, France, Ireland and England in last year’s end of year tour.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Been impressed with Lolo's limited time for the Reds.
LikesRugby
Guest
Well, lot's of opinions on Higgers vs McCalman... I actually have both in my team which I suggested on the other thread (Non-Aussie's take on Wallabies team). 6) Higginbotham (Free-ranging, lots of impact) 7) Pocock (Breakdown Demon) 8) McCalman (Superb Work-rate, OK go-forward as shown in last year's EOYT) 1) Slipper 2) Moore (c) 3) Kepu 4) Simmons 5) Skelton 6) Higginbotham 7) Pocock 8) McCalman 9) Genia 10) Cooper 11) Horne / JOC 12) Kerevi / Toomua 13) Kuridrani 14) Speight 15) Folau 16) Hansen 17) Sio 18) Holmes 19) Fardy 20) Gill / Hooper 21) Stirzaker 22) Foley 23) JOC / Horne To switch into the 23 depending on the match: 24) Saia Faingaa (No TPN… too many concussions already) 25) Weekes (Not sure…) 26) Horwill (For experience) 27) Hooper / Gill 28) Giteau (For experience) 29) Toomua / Kerevi 30) AAC 31) Cummins (Just for his attitude and commitment alone)
AndrewWA
Guest
Line Outs become even more of an issue IF Skelton is selected as one of the Locks as well: Average LOW per 80 mins for Aussie Locks: Simmons - 5.5 Coleman - 5.2 Jones - 4.9 Dennis - 4.0 Arnold - 3.7 Wykes - 3.2 Skelton - 1.5 Timani - 0.3 Juse ONE of the reasons why Skelton and Timani present some problems for Wallaby selectors.
AndrewWA
Guest
Too Right I can't comment upon Smith's lineout capability but can outline what others are achieveing in 2015. Line Outs Won per 80 minutes as follows: Pocock - 0.4 Hooper - 0.4 Higgers - 2.2 McCalman - 1.6 Palu - 1.2 Vaea - 0
Lano
Roar Guru
really funny, well done!!
Highlander
Guest
Soapit - I think it depends entirely on the balance they are looking for at wallaby level, McCalman is the incumbent, and he was one of the few standouts on the end of year tour. Higgers has a long record of not translating superb Super XV form, where he is excellent for the Rebels no doubt, into the test arena, and these forums often slate the likelihood of Palu playing two good games in a row at test level. I would have thought if you were last in the jersey, and performed in it, then either you play your way out, or the claims of others are too great to ignore, not sure either of those things are in play. Every side needs an 80 minute workhorse, and that's what you get with McCalman - so I reckon he is a good shot to keep his intl jersey, at least in the early games. The main thing I noticed over looking over the stats is that the wallaby 8 jersey is like a revolving door - someone needs to get a run in the shirt.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Who is going to jump at the back of the line out or do the hard work moving bodies at the breakdown that your 6 or 8 normally do?
Shane D
Roar Rookie
its a funny one Simon. Not sure of how Australia views it's number 8's. In NZ & SA rugby circles it's considered a key position & a bit of a 'glamour' spot (hate that term but can't think of a better one). At all levels it's a position that players aspire to. I know I was none to happy when my coach suggested that I move from the back of the scrum out to the wing when I was 15. I didn't care that I had stopped growing & my halfback was bigger than me! Often the forward with the most ability to read a game is your number 8. He has to know when he needs to drop back & support his back 3 & when he needs to be there in the tight stuff.
AndyS
Guest
Might come down to which openside they are matched to...?
soapit
Guest
moeroa apparently played rugby til recently and is doing well in league also.
soapit
Guest
that might be your opinion but realistically do you see them selecting mcalman over h-bum or palu? thats the point given theres only a handful of spots. only the arus opinion of him counts and him being offered this contract doesnt seem to add up when you look at the apparent pecking order. it can only be that he's seen as crucial to the force.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Interesting to see people comparing Higgers & McCalman. For mine while they both play 8 they play different game styles. Higgers tends to range wide more as a ball runner & is a more athletic player. McCalman seems to run closer into the ruck & plays a tighter game on attack. It will be interesting to see who gets the nod from Cheika. Palu & McCalman play a similar style in tight while Higgers offers a point of difference.
PeterK
Roar Guru
David then you do not watch much of Higginbotham Higgs 5 tries, 4 try assists, 96 runs, 49 x 10 metre runs, 26 tackle busts, 10 offloads, 8 line breaks, 11 errors, 96 tackles, 8 missed tackles, 25 lineout takes, 2 lineout steals, 18 penalties McCalman 1 tries, 0 try assists, 163 runs, 77 x 10 metre runs, 31 tackle busts, 13 offloads, 5 line breaks, 4 errors, 108 tackles, 11 missed tackles, 23 lineout takes, 0 lineout steals, 17 penalties So McCalman makes more runs. Higginbotham is more effective per run. So McCalman makes slightly more tackle but percentage wise misses more tackles. Higginbotham provides more in lineouts. Higginbotham makes more errors (probably because he tries more things) Contrary to popular opinion discipline is about the same 1 penalty in it in 14 games. For impact and game breaking I prefer Higginbotham.
Markus
Guest
And Scott Sio's 20yo brother Patrick just signed with Stade Francais.
Redsfan1
Guest
Since you are keen on stats lease check those from the weekend: Higginbotham: 9 runs, 84 run metres, 3 breaks, 7 defenders beaten, 2 tries McCalman: 10 runs, 27 run metres, 1 break, 2 defenders beaten, 0 tries. And McCalman was playing the lowly Reds at home!!
Highlander
Guest
So one action out of 30 test performances - really? How about Wales france and ireland on your last tour for mccalman Total metres 92, total tackles 27, tackle misses 2, lineouts 4. By all means select Higginbotham for World Cup year, his test level,performances simply don't justify it.
Highlander
Guest
I' ll give you a head start on the numbers ( stats from ESPN rugby) Higgers has made 9 tackles ina test 4 times ( never against NZ SA or England) MCalman made 9 tackles or more in a test 5 times last season alone ( for a quick comparison of those who think Read plays wide, his has made 9 tackles or more in a test 32 times) Higginbothamm has run the ball in a test more than 30 metres twice in his career, MCalman did it twice in his last three tests last year. ( Read has a comparison has run more than 30 metres in a test 33 times) Higginbotham best lineout performance for Aus 3 which he has done twice, McCalman last taken 3 or more 5 times, and twice last season alone. To use the Read benchmark, he has taken 3 or more lineouts 31 times)
Redsfan1
Guest
Higgers scored the critical try against the Boks 2012 in Perth. Name one good game McCalman has had in a Wallaby jersey. Just one. Number of hit ups don't count as his run metres are so poor.
Highlander
Guest
Name a single game against NZ, SA or England by Hiiggenbothsm - just one, and as I said, go and look at .mcCalmans numbers last year against France, SA, England, Ireland and Wales , they tell a very good story in what wasn't a great wallaby season ( he was injured and didn't play agains the ABs)
Redsfan1
Guest
Are you serious? Higginbotham has played well for the Wallabies. I am yet to see McCalman have any impact at test level. He is a flat track bully.