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The Western Force have landed a blow on their Australian rivals the Brumbies, luring Test second-rower Darcy Swain away from the nation’s capital.
The 26-year-old, who wore the captain’s armband earlier in the season in the absence of Allan Alaalatoa and Ryan Lonergan, had been weighing up a move to the Force for months.
After a prolonged negotiation with the Force over his price, Simon Cron’s men finally landed the lock.
His signature is a good one for the Force.
Wallabies second-rower Darcy Swain will move to the Western Force at season’s end. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
After struggling in the tight-five in recent years, which saw Cron turn overseas to players like New Zealander Tom Franklin, the arrival of Swain will give the Force a harder edger up front and at the maul. It will also give them a distinctly Australian feel in the second-row, too.
What it means for Izack Rodda’s retention remains to be seen, but at least the second-rower is playing regularly now after two years of frustration as the 2019 World Cup starter battled foot injuries.
With first-year skipper Jeremy Williams a player on the rise, the Force are finally starting to build the foundations up front to go along with the shiny toys out wide.
Swain, who admitted his “poor form last year” had contributed to the contract negotiations “dragging on”, said he needed to move away from Canberra to grow as a player and leader in the tight-five.
“It’s the toughest decision I’ve had to make in terms of my future,” said Swain, who is expecting his first child next month.
“I had to talk to a lot of people and consider a lot of things but, ultimately, it’s my time to move on.
“It happens playing a professional game, it was the opportunity … to do something different and be part of something different.
“It’ll be a good change for me and my family.”
Swain’s Brumbies and Wallabies teammate Len Ikitau was brought to tears in summing up Swain’s impact at the franchise.
“He’s been here since 2015 and I’ve been here since 2016, so it’s been a long journey for us. We’ve enjoyed it,” he said.
“There’s a lot of boys that have come down from Brisbane, especially from our school, so I think he’s opened that opportunity for boys to come down. I’m going to miss him.
“He’s my best mate, so it’s hard to see him go. He’s got a baby on the way and it would have been nice for Lennox and little Darcy Swain Junior to grow up together, but I’m just happy for him.”
Rugby Australia director of high performance Peter Horne added: “It’s pleasing to be able to re-sign Darcy for two more years.
“He’s a player who is driven to improve and continue to contribute to Australian rugby and has also shown his leadership qualities in recent times with the Brumbies.”
The move puts the pressure on Stephen Larkham recruitment and retention plans.
Darcy Swain capped the Brumbies earlier in the year but the 26-year-old has decided to leave the Brumbies. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
After Dan McKellar worked hard to build the best tight-five in Australia, piece by piece the Brumbies are being chipped away up front.
Indeed, the pressure was being felt over the weekend during their 28-20 win over the Drua, with the Fijians dominating the contact zone and the scrum.
With James Slipper, 34, and Cadeyrn Neville, 35, not getting any younger either, it’s clear where the Brumbies must focus going forward.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.