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Former Reds star signs with Western Force in wake of public criticism from Brad Thorn

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn is set to be unimpressed after his former star charge Izack Rodda signed with the Western Force.

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Rodda played 46 times for the Reds before leaving at the end of 2020 to head to French club Lyon.

Last week, Thorn expressed his displeasure at the prospect of Rodda returning to a rival Australian franchise less than a year after the star lock walked out on the Reds over a pay dispute.

It’s unclear whether Rodda will be available for Saturday’s clash with the Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

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James O’Connor interview ahead of Reds clash with Force

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James O’Connor interview ahead of Reds clash with Force

Rodda has earned 25 caps for the Wallabies, including appearances at the 2019 World Cup.

“It’s fantastic to be heading home and getting back to Super Rugby,” Rodda said.

“The Force is a very ambitious club that are looking to become the best in the competition, so this is an opportunity that I’m very excited to make the most of.”

Force coach Tim Sampson said Rodda would add great value to the squad.

“Izack has a great level of Super Rugby and international experience, which is important when playing in the tight five,” Sampson said.

“It’s fantastic for us and Australian rugby to have players like Izack return and he is genuinely excited to be a part of our club moving forward.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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