Roff to return
May 25, 2002

Winger Joe Roff will return to Australia within a month, ready to reclaim his places with both the Wallabies and the Brumbies.

After 72 Tests for Australia Roff took time out from international duties for a stint with Biarritz in the French first division, but says when the club's season finishes he will make an immediate return home.

"We have the French division one semifinals in two weeks' time, and hopefully we'll win that," Roff told the Planet Rugby website. "Then it's the final a week later and I'll be back in Australia soon after that."

While Roff is not contracted to the Australian Rugby Union or the Brumbies at moment, he says there is no chance he will consider playing anywhere else once his French stint comes to an end.

"I haven't formally signed anything yet, but the plan is definitely to go back to Australia and play for the Brumbies," Roff said. "My goal is to represent the Wallabies at the 2003 Rugby World Cup."

While he was accused by his coaches at Biarritz last week of treating his time in France as "a holiday", Roff says he has enjoyed spending time away from the pressure of the Super 12 and Australian matches.

"I've enjoyed my time here in France and had a wonderful year with Biarritz. Obviously it's different from Australia, but the change of atmosphere was nice," he said.

But while he once commanded a place in the Wallaby line-up, 26-year-old Roff says he isn't expecting to walk straight back into the team with the likes of Brumby Graeme Bond, Queensland's Wendell Sailor and Waratah Scott Staniforth in the mix.

"It's a big bonus for the selectors, having so many players to choose from," Roff said. "From what I understand, the players have been producing high quality rugby this season, and it's nice to see people compete for positions fiercely."

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