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.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
“There’s a lot of boys that have come down from Brisbane..." Reason 400,984 why no one likes the Brumbies.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Ouch :laughing:
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
I’m sorry Biscuit, but that’s just utter BS. I grew up in Jindabyne, lived in Cooma for much of my adult life, played rugby league as a junior and union from 19 onwards, and know pretty much everyone in in the Snowy Monaro region. The schools have links to the Brumbies, the majority of the communities who follow union support the Brumbies, the Brumbies players visit, the kids LOVE them, and the Waratahs are never even seen south of Campbelltown!!
Jazz
Roar Rookie
Having 5 teams in SRP with 'spread talent' to date has not worked for Aus Rugby, we are not at that level yet, despite the push for it and also the need, it's clear our teams over time have not been competitive. With 4 teams, I believe Swains move would be the best thing and warranted as you mentioned.
Cec
Roar Rookie
2 in 2 yrs :laughing: sounds like a holiday in Oz
jeznez
Roar Guru
He played two matches for the Brums. Given the option I’d roll the dice on Rodda or look for someone else. Taleni Seu was good for us last year
Cec
Roar Rookie
I wasn’t serious about the Senator. Force gave him a shot in his early days and Poey has expressed his gratitude and development with the Force :thumbup:
Cec
Roar Rookie
Not build around but mentor & play given injuries. I don’t think he got on the pitch with the guys we have but Tahs tight 5 isn’t the Brums tight 5. That sounds critical but it is what it is.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Yes agree. So rather than encouraging their team and admin to roll up their sleeves and make better decisions let’s just blame the front runners. “Bring it down rather than lift up”. Sounds even worse if you say it a few times.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Ooor the WB would even be worse if the Brums weren’t there :thumbup: You really think a team of WB stacked with more players from underperforming clubs would actually do better. :laughing: Let’s not forget that the last WB team rolled out without the Brums players established in WB got a big fat 0% vs tier 1 teams. And yes your are trying to blame the Brums, all good join the cue.
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
It seems we have difficulty funding 5 teams. The ACT is not a market. It is where our tax dollars fund an ever expanding bureaucracy of overpaid mediocre plodders and other hangers on. But that’s just my view. If cuts need to be made, it’s the first on the block!
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
This is embaressing population NSW 8 million ACT 400k. Rugby players NSW ~16,000 ACT ~2500. So out of that massive pool NSW as a team give nothing to Australian rugby.
piru
Roar Rookie
Gets to live in Perth though
piru
Roar Rookie
He's a proud WA man from a House that goes back to the first days of the Swan River Colony. His saving the Force was more about looking after WA than it was about Rugby in Australia I think
Ballymore Brumby
Roar Pro
Well put piru, I don't know why people think he wants to save it nationally.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I agree. I wasn’t trying to suggest he could do it alone. Perhaps he AND Gina combined? :laughing: :laughing: Rather than PE, is company/private ownership with increased salary cap (to keep our best on shore) the way of the future? At the moment these sides consider themselves as clubs not state reps. Should this take place then the State Unions can go back to concentrating on the grassroots, and just imagine, going back to watch Queensland “ Boo a Blue” at Ballymore. And RA would still be able to have the strongest national side available. Maybe someone does a Phil Kearns and gets chosen from the amateur ranks.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
He's a bit tall for a prop, but I'll take him anyway :happy:
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
And what has happened in parallel is the Wallabies have got worse. While the Brumbies have remained the better team the national team has suffered. It has happened for so long that a connection cannot be ignored. I am not blaming the Brumbies. But the status quo is broken and a style similar to that of the NZR and IRFU has brought success too good to be ignored. Swain's move is a private sector equivalent of the AFL's draft picks, where talent is spread to allow a rising tide to lift all boats.
piru
Roar Rookie
And play rugby, well try to lately
piru
Roar Rookie
Twiggy isn't going to save Rugby in Australia. He very well might (and to some degree has) saved it in Western Australia though