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Retiring Wallaby granted unique loan deal by Saracens to play Lions
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English Premiership club Saracens have allowed prop Ollie Hoskins to join the Western Force on a unique one-game loan, with the one-Test Wallaby set to bow out from the professional game against the British & Irish Lions on June 28.
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This is a full circle moment for Hoskins, who started with the Force at youth level in 2012 before graduating through the Academy ranks, debuting at Super Rugby level in 2014. Hoskins played 16 matches for the Force that season, all off the bench.
Hoskins represented the Western Australia club 26 times before heading overseas, playing more than 150 matches for London Irish over seven years – named the club’s Supporters Player of the Season in 2018/19 before joining Saracens.
After two seasons with Sarries, Hoskins took to Instagram to announce that it was “time to hang them up.” But it’s not the end just yet, with the Force announcing on Tuesday that the former Wallaby had signed on for one game, and one game only.
Saracens have permitted Hoskins to play before his contract officially lapses, with the tighthead prop linking up at Force training on Thursday after arriving in Australia on Wednesday. With injuries plaguing the side, this is an important addition for the Force before the Lions.
“Ollie brings a wealth of experience and is such an open and positive person. He’ll help mentor the younger tightheads as well as add important big-game experience to the front row,” Cron said in a statement.
“It is no secret that we lost two props before the season started and then a number of our lads carried injuries throughout. The Wallabies coaches also requested to see Tom Robertson at loosehead, so therefore we needed a tighthead and Ollie was a natural target given his experience and background.
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“He’s had a really good career, starting out here at the Force coming through the Club’s Academy into Super Rugby ranks, so this is a great story for WA rugby and for him personally.”
What makes this story even more fascinatingly special is Hoskins’ connection to the Force, which goes beyond the prop’s playing days with the club. In 2004, Hoskins’ mother Jennifer and friend Irma Cooper organised the public rally at Subiaco Oval about including Perth in Super Rugby.
5,000 fans spelling out “Super 14 for Perth” before the city was selected ahead of Melbourne as a new franchise in the competition. With Hoskins going on to play for the Force, Wallabies and some English clubs, this is an incredible end to a successful rugby career.
“It’s such a poetic way to round it all it up,” Hoskins reflected.
“It just seems full circle to be able to come home and hopefully play my last game in front of my home crowd with my family there. I’m chomping at the bit, I can’t wait.
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“A couple of weeks ago, when the Force got in touch with my agent, I was dumb founded. It was the quickest yes of all time.
“I’m really grateful Saracens were really accommodating to get the loan done,” he said. “I feel really lucky to get this opportunity to play one last game for my hometown club, because I still love the Force.
“I was a fan before I was a player as a kid. I managed to play for them and to be back at Force HQ for the first time in 10 years, it’s very nostalgic. It’s still the same but also very different. To have one last game to finish it up is so poetic. I’m so grateful.”
