Rugby union
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FORMER Waratahs Tigers coach Enoch Tia is considering a return to rugby union with the Griffith Blacks in 2013.
Coach Lee Kimball is hopeful he has done enough to convince Tia – who was thought to be a target for the Yenda Blueheelers this season – to swap codes and join the Blacks’ rebuilding effort in the Southern Inland Rugby Union.
“He’s been to training three times so the prospects of him playing for us are really good,” Kimball said.
“We’d love to have him, if that’s what he’s wanting to do – come back and play some rugby union without any pressure on him.
“But we haven’t had our registration day yet so we won’t know for sure until he’s signed on the dotted line.”
If he does, Tia would join an influx of players who are giving Kimball and the Blacks every reason to be confident heading into the new SIRU season.
On Friday, The Area News reported the signings of former professional Andre Boon and highly-rated Tom Russell from the Central Coast.
The two will take up key ball-handling roles and Kimball has earmarked Tia in the centres if he chooses to sign with Griffith.
“That seems like the makings of a very good backline, I reckon,” the coach said.
“Enoch would be a big addition to our club. To have a guy of his talent and calibre would be a huge.
“He’s a leader of men. Along with Andre and some of the other guys there last year, his experience would be very advantageous for us, no doubt.”
While his fingers are crossed on a firm commitment from Tia, Kimball revealed Frenchman Mathias Alard as the club’s newest recruit.
Alard, 22, is a backpacker and has only been in the country for two months, but turned up to Blacks training last week and impressed right away.
Last year the utility played in the third division of French rugby and while he speaks little English, Kimball is confident he can make a big contribution this year.
“There are 11 divisions of rugby in France. If he’s played third tier then that’s pretty handy football,” he said.
“He can pass on both sides and he’s fit, young and just knows how to play rugby.
“Mathais can play in a number of positions in the backline so that gives us even more depth there.”