Force secure Alcock

Updated August 22, 2012 14:26:38

Western Force have continued preparing for life without former captain David Pocock, signing underrated openside flanker Chris Alcock from New South Wales.

Pocock announced last month he was leaving the Force to join the Brumbies, who in turn have lost promising number seven Michael Hooper to the Waratahs.

Hooper's move to Sydney meant Alcock was unlikely to start for the Waratahs in 2013 and he instead decided to join his former coach Michael Foley in Perth.

Alcock has signed a two-year deal.

"I've got a great relationship with Foles and he's been very helpful in developing me throughout my professional career, so I was very pleased to have the opportunity to continue working with him at the Force," Alcock said in a statement.

"It's a great opportunity for me at the Force. It's going to be a fairly new team with a number of guys leaving, and it's a great opportunity to be part of something new."

The 24-year-old Alcock, who is renowned for his ability to play hard on the ball at the breakdown, made his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2010.

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, perth-6000

First posted August 22, 2012 11:24:36

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Stormers secure semis spot

Updated June 19, 2011 07:17:00

Western Stormers secured an automatic Super Rugby semi-final place by defeating fellow South Africans Central Cheetahs 44-34 in the final league match of the season.

Fly half Peter Grant returned after a lengthy absence to kick 24 points for the winners whose tally was completed by a try each from full-back Gio Aplon, centre Juan de Jongh, replacement Nick Koster and left wing Bryan Habana.

Table toppers Queensland Reds are also straight through to the last-four stage of the southern hemisphere championship and will enjoy home advantage over the weekend of July 1-2 along with the Cape Town franchise.

Reds completed the 16-match schedule with 66 points followed by Stormers (63), Canterbury Crusaders (61), Auckland Blues (60) and New South Wales Waratahs and Coastal Sharks with 57 each.

New Zealand staged both qualifiers next weekend with seven-time title holders Crusaders confronting the Sharks while Blues tackle New South Wales Waratahs.

Defending champions Northern Bulls just missed the play-offs as they sought a fourth title within five years, losing 26-23 at home against Sharks in a winner-takes-all Loftus Versfeld thriller.

"We were in the privileged position of knowing what was needed to secure direct entry to the semis and now we can put our feet up, have a few beers and then start preparing," chuckled Stormers skipper and flank Schalk Burger.

"Cheetahs are a great attacking side and we did well to secure a bonus-point victory over them.

"Having a bye next weekend will allow sore bodies to recover although it does not look too good at the moment for Duane Vermeulen."

Number eight Vermeulen, a strong contender for a Springbok World Cup squad place, was driven off the field injured during the second half before a large crowd at a chilly Free State Stadium in the central city.

Official man-of-the-match Grant joked that he had considered not wearing the number 10 jersey given the number of injuries suffered by Stormers fly halves this season.

"It is great to be back even if my chest was burning a bit toward the end," he said.

"An ankle injury obviously made it difficult for me to practice my place kicking, but I got some work done."

Left wing Rayno Benjamin scored three tries for Cheetahs and number eight Davon Raubenheimer one with fly half Sias Ebersohn providing the rest of the points from four conversions and two penalties.

- AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, south-africa

First posted June 19, 2011 05:57:00

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