Wallabies lock Adam Coleman says he would love to re-sign with the Western Force if the Perth-based franchise survives the axe.
Either the Force or Rebels will be culled ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season, and the two teams will lock horns in an emotional clash at nib Stadium on Friday night.
Despite their future still being up in the air, the Force have embarked on a signing frenzy over the past fortnight.
Stars Jono Lance, Ben Daley, Chance Peni and Richard Hardwick have all re-signed, and Coleman is keen to join them.
“Absolutely. I love Perth,” said Coleman, who was born in Tasmania.
“I call Perth home now.
“The Force are a very good side, and there’s a great vibe within the club.
“We’re building more Wallabies within the squad, and I feel next year we’ll build again and hopefully produce something special.”
If the Force do end up getting axed, Coleman would be hot property on the open market after bursting onto the international scene last year.
The Force were initially touted as the team more likely to be cut, but it now appears to be the Rebels who are more vulnerable.
With the axe still hovering above both sides, Friday night’s clash is shaping to be a passionate affair.
“There’s going to be a lot of emotion,” Coleman said.
“Both sides are on the chopping block, and everyone’s playing for their families and for their jobs.
“For the players, it’s a special time for us. A lot of the stuff’s been happening over our heads.
“We can show our opinion on the field. That’s all we can control.”
Retiring Force veteran Matt Hodgson is expected to miss the match with a calf injury, but skipper Ben McCalman (fractured shoulder), winger Chance Peni (groin), and flyhalf Lance (broken hand) could return.
The Rebels are still in danger of collecting the wooden spoon after winning just one of their 13 games this season.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
As I said mate, " let's imagine" but I guess you don't yet that.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
If the story is about Adam Coleman, why is the photo of 'The Prince of Queanbeyan' Robbie Coleman??
Browny
Roar Rookie
It'd be nice to see Toomua and Harris come home. Having Foley, Cooper, Lance, Leali'ifano, Toomua and Harris all steering the ship (at 10 or even 12 or 15) on Australian soil would make me feel a lot more comfortable about the 5/8 situation.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not the contracts would specifically contemplate this situation. But more so the possibility of one entity (the franchise) failing.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not really. The contracts would be owned by the ARU who actually provide the consideration ($$$$), not the Force. I'd be willing to bet, though haven't seen them, that they would contemplate this in the contract and say that the player is contracted to the ARU directly, and are playing for the Force at the discretion of the ARU. Or something similar.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What contract? "Wallabies lock Adam Coleman says he would love to re-sign with the Western Force if the Perth-based franchise survives the axe." You're not big on actual details are you?
bigbaz
Roar Guru
So, let's imagine that the Force sign all the players they want to legal binding contracts and are then cut from super rugby. They say ,fair enough but you are not getting our players, they, as contracted and needed players will be playing in the Perth comp. If selected for the Wallabies, fine , we will release them for test duties but other than that they ate here to stay. That would surely put a cat amongst the pidgins.
JPR
Roar Rookie
Born Leader from the front.(well second row anyway)
Bakkies
Guest
'that now won’t be available whike 2 slots are filled by foreigners' 3 spots the way it stands
piru
Roar Rookie
Seems the Force coaches must read the Roar Coleman named captain against the Rebels
Jock Cornet
Guest
He might as well of signed with the Adelaide Rams for all the contract is worth.
John R
Roar Guru
I see what ya did there. Lol.
piru
Roar Rookie
Haha, nice one.
Daveski
Guest
Correct - I look across at the NZ depth not taking into account Cruden who is leaving. Barrett, Mo'unga, Sopoaga, Hunt, the Mckenzie brothers, West, Banks, Perofeta. Falcon in the RWCU20s looked very good. Deb was talked about as a Wallaby two years ago and Jake Mac isn't a bad little player, just been in fairly poor teams and playing too deep. Agree the Tahs are hogging 10s. It's Horwitz's best position in my opinion. Deegan is decent, Mason has lots of potential as shown by his one game cameo and Hegarty at 10 for the Rebels a few years back was better than JGB this year. Even in Shute Shield there's guys like Lane, Saifoli, Hamish Angus. Just irks me we are importing 10s.
MitchO
Guest
Sorry meant "Stannard".
MitchO
Guest
I read a recent Inside Sport article by Matt Cleary on sevens. It reminded me that Standard was both a handy half back and a handy 10 before he thought bugger it and left 15s for sevens full time. He was very handy at the Force for a few years.
JPR
Roar Rookie
The article "Adam Coleman keen to re-sign with Force" speaks for its self.
ScottD
Guest
No he is saying they were genuine lead 10's for Aussie SR franchuses that now won't be available whike 2 slots are filled by foreigners
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Why is this article only about Force signings? What agenda are you trying to push here? ;)
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think Deegan or Horwitz are decent 10's. Comparable to the imports anyway. There is a bit of a backlog at the Waratahs with those 2, Hegarty and Mason. They could do with being spread about the other teams.