News: Saint-André lures Smith to Toulon; Van Niekerk relishing Springbok opportunity

04 June 2010

George Smith, the world's most capped international flanker, has become the latest star player to sign up for Toulon.

Smith, 29, has a agreed a one-year deal with the option of a second, and bolsters a back row already swaggering with the class of club captain Joe van Niekerk and Juan Fernandez Lobbe.

The Australian announced his international retirement earlier this year after amassing 110 caps for the Wallabies, and joins the French side from Super 14 outfit ACT Brumbies.

His recruitment is yet another transfer coup for the team which finished second in Top 14 last season, following the likes of England winger Paul Sackey and former All Blacks prop Carl Hayman.

Top 14 Transfers 2010/11

Smith's move was finalized while on tour with the Barbarians, who are being coached by Toulon's Philippe Saint-André, and also include future team-mates Sackey and Ross Skeate. Clearly Saint-André has made the most of the opportunity to do a spot more recruitment as he seeks to strengthen a squad that narrowly missed out on both European and domestic honours this season.

Their second-placed finish in Top 14 means the Cote d'Azur club will be making their bow in next season's Heineken Cup and clearly club owner Mourad Boudjellal has given his head coach the green light to assemble a squad worthy of making an impact. Rumours in France persist they could yet add another international - possibly a winger - before the 2010/11 season begins.

Club captain Van Niekerk, meanwhile, is relishing his opportunity to impress Springbok coaches at the weekend as he prepares for his first international outing in two years.

The Toulon skipper is one of several Europe-based South Africans featuring in their Saturday clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium, and the 30-year-old is determined to grab his chance to push for a World Cup slot.

"I can't tell you how much pride I felt when I heard I'd been chosen to wear the Springbok jersey again. It is something that never leaves you, no matter how long ago it is since it last happened," he told the Cape Times.

"No-one on the pitch will represent our country with greater pride than me. And I am determined to make this opportunity count," he added.

Van Niekerk will be winning his 51st cap on Saturday and goes into the game on the back of a hugely successful season with Toulon. He was undoubtedly one of the best and most consistent players in Top 14 during 2009/10 and insisted that his immediate future remains with the ambitious French side.

"I feel I am in a successful environment at Toulon and playing well, so why would I have to leave all that to have a chance with the Springboks?" he said. "It must have been the form I showed this year with Toulon which got me into the team for Saturday's Test.

"I think if you are living up to the standard you require week-in and week-out on the pitch, there is no reason why the selectors back home could not see you play through French sports channel footage," he told Cape Times.

The 30-year-old also rubbished South African media reports that Top 14 was not even up to Currie Cup standard. "It is ridiculous to say that when you consider the calibre of the players. The intensity of Top 14 is on the level of the Super 14. I have no doubt whatever in saying that," he added.

Club colleague Jonny Wilkinson has arrived in Australia as part of England's tour party, with team manager Martin Johnson indicating the fly-half is likely to miss out on their first game - against the Australian Barbarians - to allow him further time to recover from the rib injury he sustained in the Amlin Challenge Cup final against Cardiff Blues.

"Jonny's had more games than most of the players this year with the season in France so we'll see," Johnson told the press.

Wilkinson himself said he was "fine", adding that he was "being held back by the physios rather than anything else".

Finally, Toulon are still unsure whether in-demand centre Sonny Bill Williams will still be with them next season despite making a lucrative three-year offer to the former rugby league star.

Williams is currently back in New Zealand where he is weighing up the possibility of an 18-month contract from the NZRU as it attempts to lure him to throw in his lot with the All Blacks ahead of next year's World Cup.

He has already held meetings with All Blacks coach Graham Henry and said he would make a decision on his future within days.

"It is no secret that there is a big offer to go back to France and there is also the chance to go to my home country, New Zealand, and have a crack at trying to make the All Blacks," he told the Herald. "There is a lot to weigh up and nothing is as straightforward as it seems, but hopefully I will make my decision in the next week," he added.

The 23-year-old has reportedly been offered a three-year deal worth $6m by Toulon, while the NZRU has put an 18-month contract worth $550,000 per year on the table.

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