By Travis Cohalan

tcohalan@dailyadvert iser.com.au

THE Western Force will have a real Riverina feel about it next year after Wagga rugby union star Nic Henderson joined the Super 14 club.

Henderson has signed a contract to play with Western Force next season and he will join fellow Riverina-bred stars Nathan Sharpe (Wagga) and Scott Staniforth (West Wyalong) at the Perth-based club.

The 117-kilogram prop, who was raised in Wagga, played 70 games with the Brumbies in Super 12 and Super 14 and has left the ACT to sign a two-year deal to play with the Western Force.

The 28-year-old has already enjoyed a successful rugby union career and he has played three Test matches for the Wallabies.

After seven seasons in Canberra with the Brumbies, Henderson said he was looking forward to a new challenge on the other side of Australia.

"I've been in the Brumbies program my entire rugby career so far and I felt like a part of the furniture in Canberra, but the time had come to look for a fresh opportunity," Henderson said on Wednesday.

"I played in seven of 13 games for the Brumbies this year and I'd count that as a very disappointing season.

"My motivation was a bit down and I definitely needed a new start.

"I'm coming into the second half my career and I've got a huge desire to improve."

Henderson said he was delighted to sign with Western Force and claimed he was excited at the prospect of working under coach John Mitchell.

"Ever since our first contact (with the Force) things have gone smoothly," Henderson said.

"John Mitchell took the time to call and talk through his plans for the team and how he saw me fitting in.

"A change is as good as a holiday they say, but I think whenever you go into a new environment there's plenty of incentive to do well.

"You want to make the best impression in front of your new coaches and teammates and that's the opportunity I am looking forward to in coming to Perth."

Henderson played rugby league as a junior in Wagga –for Turvey Park – and was snapped up by NRL club Melbourne Storm in 2000.

Henderson crossed codes in 2002 and 2004 was a watershed year for the talented prop and he made his debut for both the Brumbies and the Wallabies.