WA’s first home-grown Wallaby, John Welborn has agreed to join the Western Force for its debut in next year’s Super 14 competition.
The 118 kilogram lock was born and grew up in Perth, playing for Western Suburbs, Scotch College and UWA.
He played more than a dozen games for the WA State team before moving to New South Wales in 1993, where he represented the Waratahs in the Super 12 competition on 50 occasions.
Welborn became a Wallaby in 1996, the first and – to date - only born and bred West Australian to do so. He played 6 Tests.
He’s played for the Natal Sharks in South Africa, Leicester in England and since 2000 has been playing top-flight club rugby in France. He’s currently in his fourth season with French club, Brive.
Welborn’s contract with Western Force is for 1 year.
Speaking from Brive, near Toulouse, Welborn said he was delighted to be a foundation member of his home-town team.
“I’ve been playing professional football for many years now, and I can’t think of a better way of finishing up my career than back home, where it all started,” he said.
“I had always hoped that Super 12 would be extended to include WA but never thought it would happen. It’s now a dream come to true and I’m very excited to be a part of it.”
“It’s a fantastic way to finish and I’ll be giving everything I’ve got.”
Western Force coach John Mitchell said he was pleased that an experienced and well-respected “local boy” was joining the team.
“John Welborn will be the West Australian soul of the Western Force,” Mitchell said.
“He’s proof that you don’t have to come from the Eastern seaboard to be a Wallaby and hopefully that will inspire other West Australians,” he said.
Mitchell said Welborn’s northern hemisphere experience in the scrums and line-outs would prove valuable, and he expected the 34 year old to be part of the club’s leadership team.
Rugby WA chief executive Peter O’Meara said Welborn would help lift the game’s profile in WA and offer wise counsel to some of the younger players.
“Over the years, John has done a fantastic job promoting the good name of rugby in this State, and we see him continuing to do that both on and off the field,” Mr O’Meara said.
“He’s a great asset and we’re delighted he’s ready to come back home.”
Rugby WA chairman Geoff Stooke, who coached Welborn in the State Under/21 and Senior sides, said he would bring a lot of West Australian passion to the game.
"He's never lost interest in WA rugby. He was in regular contact during the bid process and when we won the franchise, he helped us secure the services of Brendan Cannon," Mr Stooke said.
He described Welborn as an outstanding athlete, with surprising mobility for a big man.
Welborn is expected to return to Perth in July.