Mitchell to leave Force

Perth - Wallabies fullback Drew Mitchell has rejected an offer to stay at the Western Force and indicated he will join Australian Super 14 rivals the Waratahs next season, the Force said Friday.

Mitchell's decision to leave the Perth-based outfit follows the loss of Wallaby team-mate and flyhalf Matt Giteau to the Brumbies in 2010 and the resignation of chief executive Greg Harris this week for personal reasons.

"There was speculation that my leaving the Force was a foregone conclusion once Matt Giteau signed with the Brumbies, but that certainly wasn't the case," Mitchell said in a statement.

"I considered a range of factors and had very good offers from both the Force and the Waratahs.

"My decision was based very much on my personal circumstances and where I wanted to be. It wasn't a financial decision," he said.

Mitchell, 24, said on radio on Thursday that his chances of representing Australia at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand would be boosted by moving to the Australian east coast rugby heartland.

Since joining Force from the Reds in 2007, Mitchell has scored seven tries in his 34 Super 14 appearances and played 29 internationals for the Wallabies.