The Waratahs have announced the signing of Wallabies utility back and former Western Force player Curtis Rona.
Rona has three Test caps for the Wallabies after defecting from the NRL at the end of the 2016 season to link up with the now-defunct Western Force.
He had an outstanding season in Western Australia before being picked in the Wallabies squad for both the Rugby Championship and Spring Tour.
His Tests came against New Zealand, South Africa and Japan, with the 25-year-old scoring in his debut against the All Blacks in what was an otherwise forgettable match.
Rona said he was looking to build on his Super Rugby and Wallabies performances in 2017 with an eye to becoming a regular in the national team.
“I am still coming to terms with how this year has turned out for me. It’s been an incredible and humbling experience, and exciting at the same time. I know I still have a long way to go if I want to play international rugby regularly and this is only the start of it,” Rona said.
“I grew up playing rugby union and knew I would always return to the game. And I cannot wait to join the team. This is a group that has won a Super Rugby championship before and I want to be part of a team that is driven to get back to winning ways again.”
The winger began his professional sporting career in 2014 with the NRL’s North Queensland Cowboys before linking with the Canterbury Bulldogs, with whom he scored 35 tries in two years, becoming one of the game’s premier wingers.
The Force were booted from the Super Rugby competition after a long-running legal battle with Rugby Australia (then the ARU). With SANZAAR deciding to reduce the number of teams from 18 to 15, it meant Rugby Australia had to cut one and the Force ended up missing out on the 2018 competition.
All of the Australian Super Rugby teams struggled in 2017, the Brumbies being the only team to make the finals series by virtue of finishing at the top of the Australian conference.
It’s hoped the cutting of teams will improve the performance of all four remaining teams with the talent pool cut into one less team.
mothy
Guest
Ok to all those who like to put the boots in and tell me to move on or exclaim I am being childish! I say fair enough but look in the mirror!!! I will not move on or go quietly into the night! When I said 'Torn Apart' I would not want to stop players going to where they can ply their trade and do what they do best! Torn apart refers to the fact the state, Club and supporters are left empty seeing the dismantlement of a team they loved and cared about. Torn apart refers that we are left with nothing this has no reference to players other than a reminder of how good we thought they were playing for our team. I wish them well playing for others. Torn apart means we cannot move on as there is nothing left to move to in rugby unless you refer to following a different sport in our state - like AFL, soccer, cricket. I happen to like all these sports but is this mantra of what RA wants is to move us on to other sports and reduce the support of rugby in this town. Torn apart is saying I am not going support something that won't invest in us so why should I invest in them! WHy would I invest in any team that is more than 3000 km away and does not represent us? I will not go away to make you more comfortable about the decision the RA /ARU made! We are hurting here and you will continue to hear our pain - I hope it is annoying! It means we are heard as supporters without a team. Decisions have consequences - we were said to be the easiest to get rid off with the minimal amount of pain for the ARU/ RA well as a West Aussie I am going to try and exasperate that pain to anyone who will listen. I am no more childish than the other hypocrites who pontificate their ideas and thoughts about the way I should feel or what I should do!
piru
Roar Rookie
I may be biased but I remember that open field step in that first game against the Reds - absolutely gorgeous (and didn't lose pace at all)
piru
Roar Rookie
I think we're supposed to pick an east coast franchise to support.
Bakkies
Guest
'Get over it bud.' Oh the Rebels employee of the year has spoken to the masses. Oh by the way he is not your bud.
Bakkies
Guest
Move on to where Chris? Go on do tell.
Fionn
Guest
I am actually happier with Peni than I would have been with Rona.
piru
Roar Rookie
Peni I think is a bit quicker and seems to be better in space and at pace Good to see Rona staying in the country and in the code
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Time to move on Tim
Realist
Guest
Seriously Force Fans, if all you want to do is moan about your team being eliminated - just set up your own forum to cry about it. I’m not sure where you all were when your team was embarrassing itself for 10 out of their 12 seasons. Get behind the Rebels - they won’t disappoint you
Rhys Bosley
Guest
You really like picking on people, don't you TWAS. I would suggest that you are the one with the issues.
JP
Guest
Fionn, Paul D has rode off on his Bull into the sunset as he has no comeback.
piru
Roar Rookie
Is that not what I just said why are you so invested in telling Force fans how they should feel?
Train Without A Station
Guest
Get over it bud. Not losing your team. I can understand you may always resent what happened. But if you have an issue with seeing the players moving on with their life, I suggest you have some real issues. They want to move on to a new team just as much as the new teams want to pick them up. Talk about them being picked apart implies they are unwilling parties to this. Mass exodus can occur to continuing teams. Go look at my Reds. How many from 2011 have been on the books continually since then? I think less than a handful. And if they have signed in Australia, it’s likely they want to pursue their Wallaby dreams, and you should be happy that they can do that.
Train Without A Station
Guest
“Torn apart”. Clearly the players are going to go somewhere. And hopefully have great success for themselves.
piru
Roar Rookie
It's actually sickening - but glad for Rona as he has just been awarded a Wallaby jersey for as long as he likes
piru
Roar Rookie
Rona is a Kiwi who grew up in Perth mate, not sure where you get the idea he's from Qld.
AndyS
Guest
Seeing as it was supposedly your point, that wouldn't be you claiming Rona as a Q'lder despite him having no history there, being born in NZ and grown up playing all his rugby in Perth...? ;)
waxhead
Guest
Stop whining like 10 yr old girls. Force are gone - get over it and TWAS was right to ask you guys the obvious. Rona is a Queenslander and much better off at the Tahs anyway. You ex Force guys are hilarious - almost all your players have no history in WA and you claim them as yours anyway
Rebellion
Guest
1. Brumbies 2. Reds 3. Rebels 4. Tahs
riddler
Guest
ben mac to the tahs i imagine or overseas.. he is a very solid super player.. so would be a good buy for the tahs..