Stephen Moore re-signs as ARU lock in key Wallabies for World Cup
March 10, 2009
Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore has pledged his allegiance to Australian Rugby as the ARU starts to lock in key players through to the 2011 World Cup.
Moore, 26, became the Wallabies first hooker under new coach Robbie Deans last year, featuring in all 14 Tests and starting all but one of them.
Matt Giteau was the only other player involved in every match.
Moore has re-committed to Australian rugby and to the Brumbies through to the end of 2011, saying excitement about the Wallabies' future helped make his decision to stay in the country an easy one.
?I didn't really give too much thought to going anywhere else,'' said Moore, who moved to the Brumbies from Queensland Reds this season.
?I'm happy in Canberra and have enjoyed the time I've had down here so far (with the Brumbies).
?I liked what I saw and experienced with the Wallabies last year.
?You can really sense that we've started something and I'm keen to be a part of it heading through to the next Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.''
ARU high performance unit general Manager David Nucifora said Moore's signing was part of a plan to lock in the country's key players for the World Cup.
?We'd like to get as many negotiations done and out of the way as the season unfolds,'' Nucifora said.
?We're securing guys who are showing they will be the nucleus of the team for the next few years and that can only be good news for Australian Rugby.''
Nucifora, a former Wallabies hooker, described Moore as an ?all-round player''
?There are not too may weaknesses in his game,'' Nucifora said.
?He's a good set piece hooker. He does that core role very well.
?But on top of that he's also tremendously mobile as well. He's a quality ball carrying forward.
?Stephen also possesses tremendous leadership ability. He brings a lot to the team from that respect on and off the field.''
