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'Still motivated to perform': Sale sign free agent Jason Woodward
By Liam Heagney
Ten weeks after Gloucester announced that one-time England prospect Jason Woodward was leaving at the end of the 2021/22 season, Sale Sharks have confirmed their signing on a one-year deal of the former New Zealand U20s player who came through at the Hurricanes.
Woodward joined Gloucester in 2017 from the relegated Bristol and the full-back went on to play nearly 70 times, even earning a call-up into the senior England squad under Eddie Jones and touring South Africa as an uncapped player in 2018.
It was May 31 when Gloucester stated that Woodward, Will Britton and Jack Stanley would all be departing Kingsholm and the New Zealander has now found sanctuary at Sale, the Manchester club that lost Simon Hammersley through retirement at the end of last season.
A Sale statement read: “Sale Sharks have signed versatile full-back Jason Woodward on a one-year deal ahead of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season.
“The former Bristol Bears and Gloucester man, who can also play on the wing and in the centre, put pen to paper on Wednesday and will join Alex Sanderson’s squad ahead of their opening pre-season clash against Caldy RFC on August 19.
“Jason signed for Bristol from Super Rugby side the Hurricanes in 2016 before joining Gloucester the following year after Bristol’s relegation from the Premiership. He went on to make made 67 appearances and score 90 points for the Cherry and Whites. The 32-year-old represented New Zealand at U20s level but qualifies for England through his grandmother and was called up by Eddie Jones.”
Sale boss Alex Sanderson said: “After speaking with Jason it was clear he was still motivated to perform at the highest level and was keen for a move north to join the Sharks. Jason is a proven Premiership performer who will add a great deal of quality and experience to what is a young squad here. He has the ability to play in a number of positions and that is a massive bonus for us with such a busy schedule ahead.”
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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