Force eye Pretorius and Dunning
June 11 2009
Former Springbok fly-half Andre Pretorius is considering an offer to play for the Western Force next season, as is Wallabies and Waratahs prop Matt Dunning.
The Pretorius, capped 31 times for South Africa, missed out on the Bok squad to face the British and Irish Lions and is now interested in the Force offer, according to reports from the Perth-based franchise.
The 30-year-old Golden Lions pivot has been sought after following Peter Grant's decision not to join the Super 14 outfit. The Stormers fly-half had knocked back an approach to fill the boots of departing Wallaby Matt Giteau.
"He's (Pretorius) interested," said Mitch Hardy, general manager of the Western Force.
"(Coach) John Mitchell's had a chat to him and we've put an offer in front of him and we are just waiting for a decision.
"He has to weigh up where his rugby aspirations lie as to whether he still aspires to play for the Springboks and be involved in Currie Cup campaigns back in South Africa.
"We are hoping that the contract we put together will allow him to achieve both those options."
The franchise is also waiting on a decision from Wallabies' prop Dunning on whether he will join them next year from the Waratahs.
Dunning, stranded on 99 caps for the Waratahs, is eager to come to Perth to further his career but is hesitant about leaving his family behind.
The 43-Test prop, who can play on both sides of the scrum, was forced to sit out the entire 2009 Super 14 campaign after tearing his Achilles tendon while playing for the Wallabies last November.
"We would have a great front-row trio there in (hooker Tim) Fairbrother, Dunning and (Pek) Cowan," Hardy told AAP.
"Matt sees a big opportunity of coming over to the Force where he will get a lot of game time as opposed to staying at the Waratahs.
"He would also be able to put his best foot forward for the 2011 World Cup."
The acquisition of Dunning would more than offset the loss of fan favourite AJ Whalley, who will link up with French outfit Dax next season.
"To have someone like Dunning, who has Test experience under his belt, coming back in to our organisation will bring a lot of experience back to the table," Hardy said.