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Melbourne Rebels launch bid to lure Panther Frank Pritchard
August 24, 2010
As Australia five-eighth Quade Cooper ponders a switch to rugby league, the ARU and Melbourne Rebels have launched a belated bid for Penrith Panthers star Frank Pritchard.
Pritchard's management has held talks with the Rebels, but negotiations are well progressed with the Panthers, who could make an announcement about re-signing him as early as Tuesday.
Pritchard's primary position in rugby league is in the second row, but at 187cm and 112kg, he could play number eight or in the outside backs in rugby union.
Given Rebels head coach Rod Macqueen's penchant for big, hard-running backs, Pritchard would most likely play in the midfield if he changed codes.
Macqueen has already recruited rugby league (or ex-league) backs Luke Rooney and Cooper Vuna, who scored four tries in Newcastle Knights' win against Brisbane Broncos last Friday night.
Of Samoan descent, the 26-year-old Pritchard has played 18 rugby league Tests for New Zealand.
But he was born in Sydney, which means he would be eligible to play for the Wallabies.
Pritchard made his NRL debut for the Panthers against Manly in 2003 and has been with the Penrith club ever since.
It is understood Pritchard would rather switch codes than play for another NRL team against the Panthers.
Penrith officials have been locked in ongoing talks with Pritchard and remain optimistic they can keep him.
"It's been going backwards and forwards," Panthers chief executive Mick Leary said. "We're still hopeful of doing the job."
Leary said he was unaware of of interest in Pritchard from rugby union.
"We haven't heard anything about it," Leary said. "We had only heard about the NRL clubs. I have spoken to his manager. We're pretty upfront."
Pritchard's future at Penrith has been the subject of speculation, but he had made positive noises in recent weeks about wanting to stay at the club.
His mooted exit could destabilise the third-placed Panthers less than three weeks before the finals series.
Meanwhile, Cooper has indicated to the Wallabies that he will not make any decisions about his future until he returns from the two-Test tour of South Africa.
The ARU has significantly increased its offer to Cooper in an attempt to prevent him from accepting a lucrative deal from NRL club Parramatta.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill would have preferred Cooper announce his intentions prior to the Wallabies' Test against the Springboks in Pretoria on Sunday morning (EST), so continuing speculation would not be a distraction.
Cooper, who missed the Wallabies' two Test losses to the All Blacks in Melbourne and Christchurch while suspended for a dangerous tackle, is expected to return to the starting five-eighth position in Pretoria.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27601163-23214,00.html?from=public_rss
August 24, 2010
As Australia five-eighth Quade Cooper ponders a switch to rugby league, the ARU and Melbourne Rebels have launched a belated bid for Penrith Panthers star Frank Pritchard.
Pritchard's management has held talks with the Rebels, but negotiations are well progressed with the Panthers, who could make an announcement about re-signing him as early as Tuesday.
Pritchard's primary position in rugby league is in the second row, but at 187cm and 112kg, he could play number eight or in the outside backs in rugby union.
Given Rebels head coach Rod Macqueen's penchant for big, hard-running backs, Pritchard would most likely play in the midfield if he changed codes.
Macqueen has already recruited rugby league (or ex-league) backs Luke Rooney and Cooper Vuna, who scored four tries in Newcastle Knights' win against Brisbane Broncos last Friday night.
Of Samoan descent, the 26-year-old Pritchard has played 18 rugby league Tests for New Zealand.
But he was born in Sydney, which means he would be eligible to play for the Wallabies.
Pritchard made his NRL debut for the Panthers against Manly in 2003 and has been with the Penrith club ever since.
It is understood Pritchard would rather switch codes than play for another NRL team against the Panthers.
Penrith officials have been locked in ongoing talks with Pritchard and remain optimistic they can keep him.
"It's been going backwards and forwards," Panthers chief executive Mick Leary said. "We're still hopeful of doing the job."
Leary said he was unaware of of interest in Pritchard from rugby union.
"We haven't heard anything about it," Leary said. "We had only heard about the NRL clubs. I have spoken to his manager. We're pretty upfront."
Pritchard's future at Penrith has been the subject of speculation, but he had made positive noises in recent weeks about wanting to stay at the club.
His mooted exit could destabilise the third-placed Panthers less than three weeks before the finals series.
Meanwhile, Cooper has indicated to the Wallabies that he will not make any decisions about his future until he returns from the two-Test tour of South Africa.
The ARU has significantly increased its offer to Cooper in an attempt to prevent him from accepting a lucrative deal from NRL club Parramatta.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill would have preferred Cooper announce his intentions prior to the Wallabies' Test against the Springboks in Pretoria on Sunday morning (EST), so continuing speculation would not be a distraction.
Cooper, who missed the Wallabies' two Test losses to the All Blacks in Melbourne and Christchurch while suspended for a dangerous tackle, is expected to return to the starting five-eighth position in Pretoria.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,27601163-23214,00.html?from=public_rss
