Fava becomes a Waratah
September 12 2008
Scott Fava is poised to become the first player ever to be capped by all four Australian Super 14 sides after signing a two-year deal with the Waratahs.
The 32-year-old former Wallaby was contracted until the end of 2009 but asked for the release so he could move back to Sydney to be closer to his family.
Fava made his Super Rugby debut with the Reds in 2000. He then moved to the Brumbies before becoming a foundation member of the Western Force in 2006 where he scored the province's first ever Super Rugby try.
Fava made his debut for the Wallabies in 2005, going on to play five Test matches and 85 Super Rugby matches over the last nine years.
Waratahs Head Coach Chris Hickey said Fava will add much-needed experience to the back row which has seen the departure of David Lyons and Rocky Elsom.
"We've lost more than 160 Super Rugby caps and over 80 Test caps with Rocky and David heading overseas, so to be in a position to secure someone like Scott is fantastic for the Waratahs," said Hickey.
"He's a seasoned campaigner, he's excited to be coming back to New South Wales and I know he'll be a great mentor to some of the young loose forwards within the organisation."
Fava's time in Perth was littered with controversy after a number of alcohol-related offences and an incident in which he and team-mate Richard Brown were found guilty of mistreating quokkas during a team camp at Rottnest Island last year.
Despite the misdemeanours, Fava has been granted an early release from his contract at the Western Force with good grace.
"I wanted to come back to Sydney and fortunately everything has fallen into place for me," said Fava.
"The Force were really understanding in granting me a release from my final year there and luckily there was an opening in the squad at the Waratahs which is going to be really exciting for me.
"I guess I've taken the long way around, coming from New South Wales then playing for the Reds, Brumbies and Force before actually playing for the Waratahs, but I'm really happy now knowing I'll be able to finish by professional rugby career in Australia on home soil."