Falcons targeting Springbok centre Gcobani Bobo

May 28 2009 by Nick Purewal, The Journal

STEVE Bates hopes to finalise a deal to bring Springbok centre Gcobani Bobo to Kingston Park from Super 14 outfit the Stormers next week.

The Journal understands talks between 29-year-old Bobo and the Falcons have been progressing well, and now rugby director Bates is keen to tie up the loose ends.

Any eventual deal would make the six-cap Springbok Bates’ ninth summer signing, and follow quickly after the moves to install Carl Hayman as captain and yesterday’s news the New Zealand Rugby Union had released Jimmy Gopperth from his contract. The Auckland Blues fly-half no longer has to fulfil his Air New Zealand Cup duties with North Harbour, so will link up with the Falcons for the start of pre-season training on July 1.

Allied to Gopperth, Bates has already secured the services of Leeds pair Tom Biggs and Rob Vickerman, London Irish lock James Hudson, Ospreys back-rower Filipo Levi, Harlequins wing Charlie Amesbury, Tongan Doncaster loose forward Josh Afu and young Fylde prop Kieran Brookes.

Bates would likely look to use Bobo at outside centre, with the impressive Tane Tu’ipulotu reprising a strong 10-12 partnership with Gopperth, as the duo already have history from their time at the Hurricanes.

The departures list keeps on growing at Kingston Park, with Ross Batty signing for Rotherham yesterday and the Falcons also confirming Tom Dillon’s departure. Francophiles Jamie Noon and Tom May have worked their way into the England 22 to take on the Barbarians on Saturday, with Bath-bound Davey Wilson involved too. Jonny Wilkinson crossed the Channel for his Toulon unveiling yesterday, and Bates is meeting all the changeovers with excitement.

Provided he can finalise his planning for next season, Bates said his new-look team will be strong once it gels. “The talk about Tane playing 13 did not come from us, but of course people are entitled to propose whatever they wish,” said Bates.

“Tane has played a lot of rugby at 13 with Wellington, but he has also played a good bit of rugby with Jimmy, so we will just have to see how that all works out.

“It will depend a little bit on the recruitment process, but we have a lot of options there and we will have an exciting back line. We have said from the word go this is a long-term process, it’s not something we can build in the short term. We have had a good look at the players from last season and made some decisions and changes based on what we have seen.

“We think we have a strong squad for next season, but that is not the final element of us building a strong team for the future. We still have one or two issues to solve, but then after that we will look to build again, and again.

“Some of the new guys coming in will have a lot of influence, Jimmy Gopperth coming in will be a natural leader for the back line. I think Tane having had a great season this year will want to have more of an impact.

“So there is a lot of people I think we will learn from and I think that is part of the reason why we have looked to recruit in the diverse way we have.”