McCalman deal just the start: Foley
Western Force coach Michael Foley can begin long-term planning with the crucial re-signing of Wallabies No.8 Ben McCalman to three more years at the Super Rugby club.
Foley will continue to build his forward pack around McCalman and other experienced players like captain Matt Hodgson and Pek Cowan with young talent like Adam Coleman and Angus Cottrell.
Foley said McCalman, the club’s leading tackler and ball carrier for 2015, was an emerging leader.
“Over the past few seasons Ben has developed into one of the most consistently high-performing No.8s in this competition,” Foley said.
“On-field he is uniquely able to create momentum for the team in attack and defence. However, off-field, he has also begun to take on more responsibility as an emerging leader.”
McCalman, whose family farm is in country NSW, had been chased hard by the Waratahs and it would have been easy to move to a more successful side.
“His re-signing is a strong reflection of his loyalty to his team mates and the club. I’m thrilled to see him remaining with us,” Foley said.
“Whenever Ben comes off contract he will inevitably draw the interest of both local and international teams.”
McCalman’s deal with the Force ties in with a flexible Australian Rugby Union contract that allows him to play one season with Panasonic Red Knights in Japan after the World Cup before returning to Perth.
McCalman, who has 38 Wallabies appearances, has been with the Force since 2010 and said his lengthy commitment was repaying their faith in him.
Hodgson playing on for two more years played a big part in the decision and he hoped other players would follow.
“The club has been very good to me,” McCalman said.
“We have a lot of young players coming through and if we can keep everyone together hopefully a finals chance is not that far away.
“It’s exciting to be a part of a young team as we continue to develop. Young players are getting game time, we are building combinations.
“We had a strong season last year, and while we’ve fallen away a bit this season in terms of results, we’re a young team and it was always going to take a few years for us to reach our full potential.”
The Force play their last home game of the season against the Brumbies at nib Stadium on Friday night.
The Brumbies, who are on a hit and run trip only arriving in Perth on Thursday, are chasing a home semi-final.
“It’s a very important game. It’s out last home game and they will be desperate for the win going against the Tahs to guarantee a finals spot,” McCalman said.
