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Bartholomeusz at home in the west

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:20

The last time Mark Bartholomeusz played in a Super Rugby match he was representing the Brumbies.

That was in the Super 12 final in 2004 in which the Brumbies beat the Crusaders 47-38, which means his last memory of Super Rugby is of a wonderfully happy game in a Brumbies jersey.

Now he returns to Super level after playing club rugby for Saracens in England, Ulster in Ireland and Petrarca Padova in Italy. And as fate decrees, his first game back is for the Western Force against his erstwhile team, the Brumbies.

Bartholomeusz played 68 games in his seven seasons with the Brumbies, but is delighted to be embarking on a second Super life, this time with the Force in Perth.

Bartholomeusz looked capable of offering versatility - comfortable at fullback, flyhalf, inside centre and wing - plus experience and leadership to the Force's backline, but with the season-ending injury to flyhalf import, former Springbok André Pretorius, the 32-year-old has become the leading candidate for the starting No.10 jersey.

Bartholomeusz played well at flyhalf in last Friday's trial match win over the Reds with his composure, sure ball-handling and kicking for territory standing out.

In an interview with the Western Force website, he said he was now feeling ready for whatever awaits him this Friday against the Brumbies at ME Bank Stadium.

"We are all aware of the jump up in standard of play that will confront us. Trials are trials and for getting your patterns in place and combinations together, and to get the running in your legs so that you are ready for Round One. Now that the real stuff starts we are all keen to get underway with that," Bartholomeusz said.

"If I do run out there in the first game, obviously it's a little bit strange playing against my old team in my first match back.

"That was a long time ago now and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, so I'm just looking to performing as well as I can for the Force and we'll be looking to take a step forward on what we put out on the park in the trials."

Bartholomeusz said he had always enjoyed playing flyhalf but was disappointed for Pretorius, whom he got to know quite well over the gruelling pre-season.

"I really enjoy playing No.10. It's a position I've played at times during my career and it's definitely somewhere I enjoy playing. It was good to get some game time there against the Reds and obviously it's disappointing for André and the squad, but with that it opens an opportunity for myself and the other No.10s in the squad," he said.

"We can only put our best foot forward and see how we go. I did train a lot with him and built up a really good rapport with him. We get along really well and I'm just disappointed for the guy because I know how much hard work he's put in. He's made the move to Australia, has settled in well and enjoys himself here, so I just feel for him."

Bartholomeusz told the Western Force website that he couldn't have been more impressed with the whole operation at the Force since he arrived at the start of pre-season training.

Happily too, his wife and two young children have had no trouble adapting to life in Perth and now the former Wallaby (with one Test cap, against Italy in 2002) couldn't imagine a better place to finish his rugby career and to set up life with his family.

"I've been fortunate to get the opportunity to come back to Australia and to Perth from the Western Force, and I'm excited about it. It's been great for me and my family, and I want to repay them with some good performances," he said.

"I have a wife and two kids, and my wife is pregnant so we have another little one on the way. They love Perth and it's a great place to live for little ones with the beach, parks and great weather."

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