McCalman stays loyal to club which helped him
Wallabies number No.8 Ben McCalman has signed a new three year deal with the Western Force.
The Super Rugby club will announce the extended deal today as part of McCalman's flexible Australian Rugby Union contract that allows him to play in Japan after the World Cup.
The announcement is a massive boost to the Force that has had a torrid season and sits at the bottom of the ladder, particularly because of the length of the contract.
Players rarely sign beyond two years, sometimes with a third year option, and the agreement is McCalman's way of repaying the club that helped establish him as a world class back-rower.
McCalman gave his word to the Force several weeks ago that he would stay, rejecting several big offers from the Waratahs who were desperate to snare him.
He was only waiting for the small print in his contract to be finalised before announcing the decision.
Force captain Matt Hodgson was confident he would be lining up with McCalman, who originally hails from Dubbo, next season.
He told The West Australian last month that McCalman was "a good country boy and when he gives his word it's good enough for me."
Hodgson has a two year deal that gives him the option of playing in 2017 but if he decides not to play beyond next year McCalman would be the first option for captaincy.
McCalman, 27, has signed to play for Japanese Top League side Panasonic Wild Knights which is coached by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans after the World Cup, returning to the Force for the 2016 Super season.
He joined the Force in 2009, and has made 79 Super Rugby appearances.
He made his Test debut in 2010, has 14 Caps and will be one of the first players on Wallabies coach Michael Cheika's World Cup list.
The Tahs made no secret of their desire to lure McCalman to offset the departures of Wycliff Palu and Jacques Potgieter at the end of the year.
McCalman’s flexible contract is one of a select few being given to key Wallabies who have been given massive offers from Japan and Europe.
