In a mid-season boost for the Western Force, Simon Cron has strengthened his second-row stocks by signing former Wallabies lock Sam Carter.
With Izack Rodda and Felix Kalapu still sidelined, Cron has desperately short of experience up front and relied heavily on New Zealand recruit Tom Franklin and young skipper Jeremy Williams.
But the addition of Carter, who had been contemplating a return home for more than 12 months, will stiffen up their second-row and provide the young Force side with one of Australia’s most experienced lineout callers.
“Sam’s quality is known as an ex-Wallabies lock and he’s ready to go, having been playing over at Leicester in England,” Cron said.
“One of the areas we’ve been thin during the pre-season and into this season is the availability of tight-five forwards and Sam helps allay that. He gives us a genuine lock option, with Izack Rodda and Felix Kalapu still not available for training or games.
“Sam also brings with him a wealth of experience, big-game mentality and genuine height. Plus he has been playing already in-season with Leicester, so he’s fit and available. He’ll be great around the team with his experience.”
Sam Carter of Australia wins the line out under pressure from Courtney Lawes of England during the QBE international match between England and Australia at Twickenham Stadium on November 29, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
The 34-year-old comes fresh from turning out with Dan McKellar’s Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership.
McKellar signed Carter from Ulster, with the 16-Test Wallaby spending four seasons with the Irish side.
Carter was at the Force’s 40-31 upset win over the Reds in Perth on Saturday.
He would have been impressed watching on, as the Force’s forward pack rolled up their sleeves and smashed the Reds at the breakdown.
Sam Carter has returned to Australian rugby by signing with the Force from Dan McKellar’s Leicester. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
The 34-year-old said he was looking forward to helping nurture the young squad coming through at the Force.
“I’m excited to be joining the force for the rest of the season,” Carter said. “My family and I are looking forward to the opportunity to come home to Australia.
“I think I bring a lot of experience and rugby knowledge and I’m keen to add to what the Force are building.
“It’s an exciting young squad with a lot of potential and it’s great to be back in the Australian rugby environment.”
Whether the former Brumbies lock plays this weekend remains to be seen, with the Force on a two-week tour where they will take on the Drua at Churchill Park in Lautoka before travelling to Auckland to play the fourth-placed Blues.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
I just think he's come back into a losing environment with poorer coaching which cant be good for him at this point.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
The Six Nations is now over, so Martin and Chessum are back. This makes Carter 4th or 5th choice and they have last years England under 20 Captain and this years under 20 Captain (both locks) on their books as well.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
That is a tough one Jimmy. How many more years do you stay away as a young bloke? If you stay too long you start setting down roots and end up playing for France. He may have gone too early to get the full benefit. How they manage player development at that age and stage is probably for experts, not numpties like me and whoever at RA has overseen this shambles for the last twenty years.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
a shame Miles didnt stay there are few years for development
Cec
Roar Rookie
Well Mugs the NH do have a much longer season than SRAU so shorter off-season. It may just be as simple as more time training and playing. Less time to do shiz you shouldn’t be doing. If it’s better discipline and method then I hope he can share that at the Force.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
No I didn't.
ScottD
Roar Guru
you forgot drunk
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Let's hope Sam enjoys Perth. I assume he has a young family in tow.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Wounded, banned and injured? Yep that's the Sea Of Blue done. Now for the players!
Chronicle
Roar Rookie
Fantastic signing by the Force. The ability and experience to really help develop a young Force squad. A big man with an equally big motor who does the hard stuff. Welcome back Sam.
Coker
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, it coincides with Williams going down with a calf injury. So Carter needs to be able to play immediately.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
If the Force can just get the wounded, banned and injured back we would have incredible depth. We will need a positive and not a just hang in there impact from the bench this weekend in hot and humid Fiji.
Woolfe
Roar Rookie
TwigGeld
NotKev
Roar Rookie
NH SnC been doing great jobs in recent times at leaning up their crowd for sure. He looks good and hopefully he can maintain some of what he has set up for himself
Dualcode
Roar Rookie
Boost for the Force indeed
JimBob
Roar Rookie
This is actually a really nice piece of business. I wonder how they got a release from Leicester mid season?
TC
Roar Rookie
Muglair from my understanding Gym Stats seem to outweigh Rugby Nous :crying:
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Getting players back in Australia after years in Europe is priceless. At Sam's stage in his career, it brings experience and knowledge to pass on. Miles Amatosero is a case study on the value of young players spending time in Europe early in his career. I hope he finds his feet by the end of the season.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
First thing I noticed in both photos too. How long do you think it will take to fatten him up so his chubby cheeks match Rodda's? I wonder if we are getting the balance between power and endurance right. Or probably more correctly, how many decades have we been getting it wrong?
Cec
Roar Rookie
Looking at Sam’s old photo at WB vs the more current one from Leicester, he’s actually looking fitter now. Welcome home Sam and good luck in Perth.