Force sign Sam Wykes

Australian U19s lock Sam Wykes has joined the Emirates Western Force on a two year contract.

The 197cm 19 year old comes to Perth having been a member of the Waratahs Academy in 2006 and 2007.

An old boy of Patrician Brothers’ College in Blacktown, Wykes played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2005 and the Australian U19s in 2006 and 2007.

He was voted Players’ Player of the Australian U19 World Champions in 2006.

The 102kg Wykes has been playing first grade for Parramatta in the Sydney competition, and will represent the West Sydney Rams in the Mazda Australian Rugby Championship before moving to Perth in October.

Wykes said he was looking forward to furthering his rugby career at the Emirates Western Force and learning from experienced locks like Nathan Sharpe and Rudi Vedelago.

He said he was impressed by the Force’s progress over its short history and he was excited about being part of its future.

Emirates Western Force Head Coach John Mitchell said he had been impressed by Wykes’ ball handling skills and composure, and his commitment and work rate off the ball.

‘We see the likes of Sam and Tom Hockings as our future locking partners, and we will be doing our best to ensure Sam keeps learning and physically developing in our program to achieve that goal.’