Former Brumbies fly half Mark Bartholomeusz is set to play against his old team when the Super 14 kicks off on Friday in the fly half position that was expected to be occupied by Andre Pretorius.
Bartholomeusz last match in Super rugby was the Brumbies' title win in 2004 and as luck would have it his next game in Super Rugby will be for the Western Force against the Brumbies.
The back liner spent seven seasons with the Brumbies and earned 68 caps including the championship win in 2004 where the Canberra-based franchised secured the win in the decider over the Crusaders in Canterbury.
That was quite a way to leave Super Rugby and the Force was not even in the competition then, but he carved out a successful European career for himself since then with English premiership side Saracens, Irish club Ulster and Italy's Petrarca Padova.
He is now delighted to receive another chance in Perth with the Force.
Bartholomeusz looked capable of offering plenty of versatility, experience and leadership to the Force's backline, but with the season-ending injury to flyhalf Andre 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. He is now feeling ready for whatever awaits 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 to get the running in your legs so that you are ready for Round 1. Now that the real stuff starts we are all keen to get underway with that," Bartholomeusz said on the Force's website.
"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 perform 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 has spent time throughout his career playing flyhalf, inside centre and fullback, but the No. 10 spot is one he's always enjoyed and is looking forward to the prospect of now spending most of his time in this 2010 Super 14 season there.
That doesn’t mean he is not disappointed for Pretorius, though, who 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 Andre 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 couldn’t be more impressed with the whole operation at the Force since he arrived at the start of pre-season training.
"As well as that, his wife and two young children have had no trouble adapting to life in Perth and now the capped Wallaby 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 Emirates 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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