Rob Kearney linked with a surprising move to Australia

September 25, 2020
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Ultimate Rugby

Leinster and Ireland fullback Rob Kearney is close to agreeing a deal to finish career in Australia according to reports.

The 34-year-old outside back departs Leinster as Ireland's most-decorated player, having won four Six Nations, four European Cups, six Pro 12/14 titles and one Challenge Cup, while he was also named the 2012 European Rugby Player of the year.

"I have lived the dream of every five-year-old boy or girl out there that dreams of pulling on a Leinster jersey, an Ireland jersey, a Lions jersey"

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 25, 2020

He is set to finish his career with Australian side Western Force after has was not been offered a new contract after 15 years with his native province and is set to turn out for the Perth-based franchise in 2021.

According to reports in Australia and Ireland, Kearney will make the move to the Western Force where he could turn out in a new Super Rugby format between New Zealand and Australia.

The Irish Times reports that Kearney has been linked with a move to Japan or to Brive, but it seems as if he is on the verge of relocating to Australia.

The Western Force are run by Billionaire Andrew Forrest and competed in the Super Rugby AU competition over the past few months. The side is also involved in Forrest's Global Rapid Rugby competition that was called off due to the global pandemic.

However, there have been reports that New Zealand and Australia are in talks about a new format of Super Rugby which will see sides from Australia, New Zealand and possibly Japan and the Pacific Islands feature.