New Western Force recruit Toby Lynn says that he is stoked about his move from the Chiefs to Perth due to an unusual connection.
rugbyweek
New Zealander Lynn was able to sign for the Western Force without them using one of their overseas player allowances as his grandfather Mac was born in Kondinin.
Kondinin is a small town with a population of just over 300 and is located in the Eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia, 279 kilometres (173 mi) east of Perth.
“I’m a year behind where I could have been but I’m pretty stoked about the move now,” Lynn said of his two year deal.
“My Super rugby had stalled a bit back home but I thought I was still playing pretty good footy. I was still enjoying playing.
“(Force coach) Richard Graham and (Force forwards coach) Nick Stiles put forward a pretty good case about where they wanted to go and now I’m here I can see that.
“My grandad was born in the Wheatbelt so I was not classed as an overseas player which was handy.”
Twenty-six-year-old Lynn played 32 Super rugby games for the Chiefs and 65 with Waikato in the New Zealand national provincial competition after making his debut at 19.
Lynn broke into the Chiefs team in 2007 and then lost his place but good form led to a recall last year.
The former Chief knows that he will have his work cut out for him as he faces a selection battle in the second row as captain Nathan Sharpe and Sam Wykes were outstanding last season.
“Sharpie has always been around. He’s one of the best locks in the world,” Lynn told The West.
“I saw some of the Force games and looking from the outside Sam was one of the star players last year. Phoenix (Battye) is a young guy coming through so there’s plenty of pressure for a spot.
“Pressure is good for the squad, it’s good for the team environment, but all I’m looking forward to at the moment is a good pre-season, staying injury free and putting pressure on in trial games for a spot.”