Mathewson signs new Force deal
Western Force have re-signed Kiwi scrum-half Alby Mathewson.
The international marquee player, a former All Black, has signed a new two-year deal with the Super Rugby side.
The 28-year-old joined the Force for the 2013 Super Rugby season having previously represented the Wellington Hurricanes and Auckland Blues.
The Force are also hopeful of re-signing South African flyhalf Sias Ebersohn, who is one of the franchise's development foreign players.
Mathewson has received dispensation from the Australian Rugby Union to remain with the Force.
“I love being part of what we have at the Force and it’s great to be a part of an actual ‘team’. I know it gets talked about a bit in the media, but it’s great to be a part of the culture of this team, everyone is really tight as a group and there’s no ego," he said.
"I love where the team’s heading. Obviously we had a pretty disappointing season last year but I knew we were better than what we showed. We’ve had some success this season and while we’re only the second year in, we’ve made some great gains and I believe we’re only going to get better."
Force coach Michael Foley praised the effect Mathewson has had on the squad.
“Alby has been immense for us since joining the team,” he said. “It’s not just his consistency on field, it’s also the standards he holds himself to off it. He is a great competitor who challenges himself and the team to constantly look for improvement."
The Force sit in seventh spot ahead of Saturday night's clash with the Lions in Perth.
