Super Rugby
Brumbies lose Ma'afu to Force
ESPNscrum Staff
May 18, 2011
Brumbies prop Salesi Ma'afu, Brumbies v Western Force, Super Rugby, Canberra Stadium, Canberra, Australia, April 17, 2011
Salesi Ma'afu has signed for the Western Force © Getty Images
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Wallabies prop Salesi Ma'afu has signed a two-year deal with the Western Force.

The 28-year-old will trade Canberra and the Brumbies for Perth next season, having established himself at international level by playing 10 Tests for Australia in 2010.

"I'm at the point in my career where I felt I needed a new challenge and a change in environment, first and foremost for rugby and also for my family," Ma'afu said. "I enjoyed the six years in Canberra and think I have improved a lot as a player but saw a great opportunity in Perth with the Force and in the end it wasn't a hard decision."

Ma'afu will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season after suffering a fractured radius in the Brumbies' loss to the Lions last weekend but Force boss Richard Graham's enthusiasm for the signing was not affected by the news.

"Good tightheads are difficult to find and in Salesi I believe we have recruited a genuine international front-row forward," Graham said. "He brings a very physical approach and his work in the tight has developed over the past 24 months. His performances for Australia in the Tri-Nations illustrate what he can offer."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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