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Michael Cheika was unwilling to confirm whether his side would attempt to sign Brian O'Driscoll. INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Speculation

Cheika coy on Waratahs' potential O'Driscoll overture

The coach admitted that he recently called the Irish international.

WARATAHS COACH MICHAEL Cheikha has remained tight-lipped over the prospect of his side signing Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll.

Earlier this month, Brian O’Driscoll neglected to rule out rumours that he could make the move to play a season of Super Rugby.

On the prospect of a move, O’Driscoll told The Daily Telegraph: “‘Cheiks’ has my number, so if he wants to give me a call, he knows how to get me.”

And while Cheika admitted he had spoken to O’Driscoll about his public expression of interest in making the move, he refused to confirm whether or not he would be pursuing the star.

He did, however, reveal he was interested in acquiring “a marquee signing”.

“It’s probably a good idea. I think there is some value, in the true concept of a marquee player. Not as part of the development program. You certainly don’t want to be getting him to fill holes. You should be making sure every hole is filled. What we are looking at any (marquee) player would be to add value,” Cheika told reporters.

He continued: “I can see where the value is, for the game overall, if a player wants to come for a season and see how they do in Super Rugby.

“If we are ever going to use the marquee player idea, we could get some parameters around it. That player is going to bring something different to us. On the field and off the field.

“We would never look at bringing anyone for more than a year. Come and do a job. It could work, along those lines. It is good for the players to play with other guys. I have seen in other countries what foreign players can add, as far as culture and ideas. If approached the right way, it could be a good idea.”

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