The Western Force are poised to sign former All Blacks regular George Bridge, while the Super Rugby franchise is also interested in luring off-contract Wallaby Taniela Tupou from the NSW Waratahs.
The Roar can reveal that Bridge, 30, is deep in conversations to join the Force next season after a few years in the French Top 14 with Montpellier.
A consistent outside back, Bridge was a key cog in the Crusaders’ backline under Scott Robertson, where he won six Super Rugby titles, including four fully fledged tournaments, before moving to France.
He remains the Crusaders’ fourth highest tryscorer (37), behind only Sevu Reece (66), Caleb Ralph (52) and Leon MacDonald (42).
Former All Blacks and Crusaders outside back George Bridge has signed with the Western Force. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Bridge had planned on staying at the Crusaders through to the 2023 World Cup, but bit the bullet and decided to up and go after falling down the pecking order at the Super Rugby perennial winners after the rapid rise of Will Jordan and Leicester Fainga’anuku.
“The decision to head overseas was really tough because of that goal that I wanted to get to. But, at the end of the day, you have just got to make the best of what you can and it was a decision made for me, rather than sticking around and potentially putting myself in a worse position next year,” Bridge said in mid-2022.
“It was a really tough decision at the time but soon after I had signed I got my head around it and it was something to look forward to.”
Asked whether he might ever return to Super Rugby, the classy back left the door ajar.
“Who knows?” Bridge said. “I am still only 27, so hopefully still got a bit in the legs. I will get through the weekend, hopefully make the most of this, and then it is sort of the next chapter going overseas and who knows what will happen after that.”
At the time of his departure, Robertson, who has since gone on to coach the All Blacks, was glowing in his praise of the outside back.
“George is a man and player who epitomises what it is to be a Crusader,” Robertson said.
“He’s a hard worker, he’s tough, and he’s a winner. Bridgey is such a good honest man and we can all call him a great mate.”
George Bridge scored 12 tries for the All Blacks, including one against the Wallabies at Eden Park on August 17, 2019. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
During his time in New Zealand, Bridge also earned 19 Tests for the All Blacks and started in the World Cup semifinal defeat to England in Japan.
Now the Force will get to tap into Bridge’s wealth of knowledge.
It’s believed outgoing Force consultant MacDonald encouraged the Force to have a look at the former All Black to strengthen their depth and bring some class to the backline.
Bridge also spoke with players at the Force, including Reed Princep, who encouraged him to give the Super Rugby side a shot.
His likely arrival will undoubtedly strengthen the side’s roster, especially if Wallaby Harry Potter decides to return to the Eastern Seaboard.
Meanwhile, the Force have also set their eyes on luring Tupou to Perth.
It’s understood coach Simon Cron is keen to shore up his depth in the tight-five, particularly the front-row, and Tupou fits the bill nicely.
The Western Force are interested in signing Taniela Tupou. (Photo by Mark Kolbe Photography/Getty Images)
Although the Force are aware that Tupou hasn’t hit the heights many expected, it’s believed they think they can get the best out of the front-rower.
The question is whether Rugby Australia comes to the party to help sweeten the deal. Otherwise, Cron’s hope of bringing the experienced Wallaby to the club might fall by the wayside.
Tupou would also have to be on board, but the prop previously considered signing with the Force.
He wouldn’t be short of friends either, with former front-row partner Brandon Paenga-Amosa at the Force on a long-term deal.
