Henjak makes a comeback
Tue, 06 May 2008 14:20
Disgraced Western Force scrumhalf Matt Henjak is back playing club rugby less than three months after his contract at the Force was torn up.
The Force sacked Henjak after he assaulted teammate Haig Sare, resulting in Sare suffering a broken jaw.
However, Henjak made a surprise appearance in the starting team for ACT Premier Division club Royals last weekend.
Having secured a playing transfer from Rugby Western Australia (WA) to the ACT Rugby Union last week, Henjak is using the Canberra competition to keep fit while his manager seeks a new professional contract for him in Europe.
Henjak has also taken on a role as training mentor to Royals' young backline players, including Brumbies Academy scrumhalf Brent Hamlin.
Royals coach Frank Condi said the former Wallabies scrumhalf was a welcome guest at last year's semifinalist club, even if he had an inglorious return to the field in a 0-54 loss to Queanbeyan on Saturday.
"When anyone comes down from Super 14 level, you can see the other guys want to take notice of them. The guys love having him down there at training and at games," Condi told the Canberra Times.
"He'll be teaching some of our young scrumhalves, spending time with them at training and giving them pointers, so he's having a coaching role here as well," added Condi.
In the aftermath of his sacking, the Brumbies joined the Waratahs and the Reds in ruling out a Super 14 lifeline to Henjak.
The Brumbies have scrumhalves Patrick Phibbs and Josh Holmes on contract for next season, leaving no place for him.
Henjak's altercation with Sare at a Perth pub was the last in a series of off-field indiscretions which crippled the ambitions of a player once tipped to succeed George Gregan as Australia's long-term No.9.
While his Wallabies career looks all-but dead after four Tests, 26-year-old Henjak could still enjoy a long and lucrative stint in European club rugby.
It is understood his manager is considering options in Italy and France. Henjak could potentially leave Australia in as few as three or four weeks.
Until then, Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said the Canberra competition would benefit from having him in its ranks. He added the former Brumby would still be a welcome visitor at the club's Griffith headquarters.
"My position is one of absolute support for Matt [Henjak] being here playing," Fagan said.
"Any role we can play to help him further his rugby career we will do. Anything that's in our power, we'll look to support him with. I think that's an obligation we're happy to take on board.
"He's not under suspension, it's not a contracted position, so as far as I'm concerned it's just something that would bring tremendous value and profile to local rugby and help develop the guys around him at Royals," concluded Fagan.
Henjak's former Brumbies teammate Jeremy Paul had a similar stint with Royals last year while he waited to join English club Gloucester.
Royals have a bye this weekend before taking on the Gungahlin Eagles on May 17.
