Haylett-Petty back in the fold for Force
Dane Haylett-Petty had double reason to celebrate on Wednesday.
Just hours before lining up against the British and Irish Lions, he re-signed with the club he made his Super Rugby debut for five years previously.
Haylett-Petty, a former Hale School student who played nine games for the Force, has returned from a three-year spell with French club Biarritz, agreeing to a one-season contract with the WA club.
Coach Michael Foley has about 10 players coming off contract.
Haylett-Petty, 23, who played for the Australian under-20 side in the 2009 world junior championships, had one year left on his French contract but had been talking with the Force for some months.
"I just thought it was the right time to come home," he said.
"We've been talking for quite a while about the opportunity to have another crack at Super Rugby.
"They only asked me about the Lions game a week ago and obviously I jumped at the opportunity."
While his preferred position is full-back, Haylett-Petty has played in most back-line spots.
"The good thing about Europe is I moved around a lot. I played a bit of 12, a bit of 13, full-back a lot and on the wing," he said.
"The three years I was away I played about 60 games and I think I can bring a little bit of experience.
"The good think about Europe is you get a lot different styles."
He will spend a season playing for the Toyota club in Japan coached by former Force hooker Tai McIsaac before returning to Perth.
He is the second local product to be signed by Foley.
Former Force academy member, utility back Zack Holmes is returning from the ACT Brumbies.
"We are determined to bring home quality Western Australian talent to represent the Force and we're very pleased to have secured both Zack and Dane," Foley said.
"Dane's had a number of good seasons with Biarritz and demonstrated against the British and Irish Lions a desire to work off his wing and will have a lot to offer us next season."
Pat McCutcheon will lead a new-look Waratahs for the first time when they take on the Force at nib Stadium on Sunday.
Second-rower Ollie Atkins will make his debut and three other forwards, Will Skelton, Lopeti Timani and Jed Holloway, are poised for their first start of the season.
Foley names his side tomorrow.
Waratahs *: Jeremy Tilse, John Ulugia, Paddy Ryan, Will Skelton, Ollie Atkins, Lopeti Timani, Pat McCutcheon (capt), Jed Holloway, Brendan McKibbin, Bernard Foley, Cam Crawford, Tom Carter, Tom Kingston, Peter Betham, Drew Mitchell. * Reserves from *: Richard Aho, Luke Holmes, Adam Coleman, Liam Winton, AJ Gilbert, Matt Lucas, Ben Volavola, Terrence Hepetema.
