News: Mallinder strengthens the Saints Flock
By Comeonyousaints.com
May 21 2012
Northampton Saints will follow up on Jim Mallinder's hints last week about new signing announcements by revealing today the signing of Australian International Cameron Shepherd.
Wallaby international Shepherd becomes a Saint
Northampton Saints will today announce the signing of Australian international back Cameron Shepherd.
The 28-year-old, whose 6’2”, 104kg frame is an imposing presence in the backline, is equally comfortable on the wing or at full back and will arrive at Franklin’s Gardens after a six-year stint at Perth-based Western Force.
As the Super Rugby outfit’s all-time leading points scorer Shepherd has repeatedly shown not just his ability to find the try line but also land crucial match-winning kicks. His talent, which was first recognised in Sydney by the New South Wales Waratahs, led to representative honours with Australia Under-21, Australia ‘A’ and Australia.
The first of his nine caps came against England – the country of his birth – in 2006 and he also played for the Wallabies in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Regarded as one of Australian rugby’s most talented attacking players, Shepherd is excited by the prospect of pulling on the black, green and gold in Aviva Premiership Rugby and the Heineken Cup.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for me,” he said. “I’ve heard lots of good things about Jim Mallinder as a coach and about the Saints as a club. Jim has got the team playing a great brand of rugby which I believe suits my style of play and to which I think I’ve got a lot to offer.
“It is definitely going to be a new challenge for me. The Premiership is a tough competition and there are a lot of teams which like to play exciting rugby, especially the Saints. You can see that with the quality of player that there is at the club, players like Ben Foden and George Pisi, who are established internationals.
“I’m looking forward to playing with those guys and the rest of the squad, and for playing for a club which has a great reputation and an amazing history. Northampton is similar to the Force in that it has a great fanbase behind the team and I’m looking forward to showing the Saints supporters what I can do as a player.
“I can’t wait to get there.”
Shepherd was born in England but grew up in Sydney playing basketball and rugby for Barker College. He would later sign with the New South Wales Waratahs. In 2003 Shepherd represented Australia at the under-21 level and the following year he played for Australia A. In 2005, Shepherd signed a three year deal with new franchise, the Western Force.
Following a successful season with the Force in their inaugural season in 2006, Shepherd was included in the Wallabies squad. On 9 September 2006 Shepherd received his first starting cap when he was selected on the wing for the Wallabies in the final test of the 2006 Tri Nation Series in South Africa.
Shepherd scored a conversion to his own try for the Force on the left touch-line after the siren on 9 March 2007 against the Hurricanes to record the first ever home win for the Force in the Super 14 competition.
Director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that Shepherd is a good addition to the Saints squad.
“Cameron is a very talented player who has shown regularly that he has the ability and temperament to compete at the highest level,” he said. “He has a positive impact for his team’s attacking capability but is also sold defensively and under the high ball. He will also give us another goal kicking option, and his versatility and quality will give us added depth in the back three positions.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming him to Franklin’s Gardens and believe that he will contribute a good deal to the squad.”
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Quote:Mr Brobat
Ps... Was this reported as a done deal in the past?
I believe it was, with the moniker "Dunnee Deal"
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"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
Quote:Paul FlattQuote:Mr Brobat
Ps... Was this reported as a done deal in the past?
I believe it was, with the moniker "Dunnee Deal"
It was, that was me. I honestly didn't think we would get him. Very happy with this one. The cat is not so happy after being woken by my yelp when I read it!
Hopefully we can help him work on his fitness.
Does anybody know when he's due to arrive? after the S14 season, or during pre-season? I understand he's out of the rest of the S14 anyway.
[Edit]
Just found this;
The Force will confirm later today that Shepherd, 28, will be released from his contract on June 1
Even better news, so we should get a full pre-season of rehab out of him.
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:22:08:30:36 by St Owen.
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Also note James Burridge on BBC suggesting Jim is looking to bring in a 'fly-half' and 'centre' over the coming weeks.
Final thing on this from me; We don't make marquee signings
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
He doesn't quite fit the typical mould of a player in his mid twenties but he has experience and that will be a massive benefit. We have perhaps recruited too many developing players in the past. In key positions we need some "been there done that" performers.
Quote:St Owen
Also note James Burridge on BBC suggesting Jim is looking to bring in a 'fly-half' and 'centre' over the coming weeks.
Interesting comment about a 'fly-half', because I understood from my source that both the Saints' established 10s were under contract until 2013. It is also said that if you were looking for a 'world class' 10 then the starting level being offered in France was £400k.
Either there is a lot left in the kitty or the prospective signing is being groomed for future stardom post 2013?
Pure speculation, I know.
I'm still dubious about the TP rumour.
You can't always get what you want, But if you try sometimes well you might find, You get what you need.
Richards/Jagger
Good experience, obviously has talent and skills at the top level and good cover for Fodes.
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I guess we offer him a good length of contract with middle of the road wages and take the risk that he will play 80% of the games that he would of had he not been out for so long with injuries. He is happy because of the security and we might get an excellent player that stays fit
kicking back up is a plus, but if he has running lines and power then that really is what we need for foden cover and improved wing roles.
so back 3s we now have:
foden
digger
artemyev
elliott
cato
armstrong
shepherd
right number and balance or one or two too many in a salary cap? work on armstrong as a 12?
the pressing need which he should address is not to allow our 15 spot to become a positive in opponents' game plan whenever ben's away
really quite puzzled about the fly half hints, as we seem to have a fair bit of salary cap invested there already to be honest.
Bridesmaids no more.
Intrigued by the 10 speculation. Personally I would welcome a game breaking and potentially expensive 10 that may ensure the team really goes pelting forward. Arguably we may need this to really break through the rugby "glass ceiling".
What a great sport we champion eh?
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Quote:Shep
Very excited to be joining @SaintsRugby for the next 3yrs. Amazing club with a great history. Great challenge for me and my young family.
Quote:Shep again
Thanks to everyone for the tweets today. The love from the @thewesternforce fans and the welcome from @SaintsRugby fans has blown me away.
Quote:Why I'm calling him Shep
“@TopperJK: @Cam_Shepherd Big question from Saints fans. Is it Cammy? Sheppo? Or something else?” just Shep.
Saint til I die
Quote:Howlin
"Get down Shep"
That was the first thing that came to my mind but I didn't want to show my age by saying.