Dave Dennis has committed to the Wallabies until the next World Cup while his Waratahs teammate Rob Horne announced a one-year extension with the ARU on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Dennis has been one of the best backrowers in the Super Rugby competition over the last two years, form which was rewarded with all 15 of his Wallabies caps last season.
Although he missed out on a Test appearance against the British and Irish Lions in the recent three-match series loss, Dennis feels he still has plenty to offer new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie.
His two-year deal will take in the 2015 World Cup in England.
“I really want to keep working hard to try and get back in the Test fold and contribute to winning a first ever Super Rugby title with the Waratahs,” said Dennis.
Dennis joins fellow Waratahs forwards Sekope Kepu, Wycliff Palu, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Benn Robinson in re-signing with the ARU and NSW franchise.
Centre Horne inked a contract extension until the end of 2014.
Horne, who took his Test cap tally to 15 when he came off the bench during the second Test against the Lions in Melbourne last month, will be hoping for a decent run injury-free next season before again weighing up his future.
“I’m really pleased to be staying in Australia, especially with so much to look forward to in the coming season,” Horne, 24, said.
“I am really excited at what I think the NSW group can achieve.”
Boomeranga
Guest
I've just been listening to Rugga Matrix (ep 177) which includes an interview with Cheika. He talks about having his eye on a foreign marque player for next year to address a particular area lacking from the squad. Doesnt say what gap - my guess is a hooker. Its a pretty good internview. Nothing earth shattering, but his usual enteraining self. Good news they have signed Volvo. After the ARU's pre-lions press that it was difficult to secure sponsors, I wondered if it would be hard to replace HSBC.
Red Menace
Guest
Wow, those stats for Godwin are amazing. Thankfully he is staying at the Force. I hear they want to turn him into a No10. Maybe someone can confirm that. Force...Super Rugby Champions 2014.
jutsie
Guest
yeah huge, he defs has to be on the EOYT. But i wouldnt want to rush him in to the starting lineup either. dont want to make the mistakes of the past by rushing young blokes in and giving them big heads lol
Hoy
Roar Guru
Boy, Godwin is head and shoulders the best 12 there... by numbers. Build him slowley and see how he comes on in the next 12 months. Take him North.
PeterK
Roar Guru
If the ARU gave them top ups it is a total waste of money. Fine for Cheika to resign Horne and Dennis depending on how much they are paid. Tahs are light for talent at 12 and no 6. Instead of S Timani trying to be retained I would have preferred his brother L Timani who is going to the rebels. Dennis is just a solid journeyman who has reached his potential.
Mike
Guest
Would McKenzie have been consulted before these contracts were finalised?
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Justie - stats are not the be-all and end-all and can easily be manipulated or fail to take contextual evidence into account. Wendel Sailor had great rugby stats yet I never would have said he was a great Test player and a was a very inconsistent state player.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Nothing above says they actually got top ups. Know something the rest of us don't?
RPollock
Guest
Liam Gill doesn't have an ARU contract but Dennis & Horne do. McKenzie will probably go with Gill so the ARU are effectively undermining their coach, unbelievable incompetence.
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
I'm glad Horne is staying. He looks much better at 12 than 13 and had a good year. He seemed to be one of the players that Cheika knocked off the pedestal abit and he responded well. DD's playing form wasn't as good this year as last, but as a positive seemed to be growing into the captaincy as the year went on. His form might return. Leadership is important and he is as good as anyone we have for that role provided he can maintain his spot in the backrow ahead of Gray, Holloway, or whoever else is on the way. At times I thought our pack a bit sluggish.
jutsie
Guest
fair enough. agree that timani was a project player and its a shame to see him leave as he was finally starting to live up to some of the potential. As Fin says though all is not lost with big will skelton on the team list
jutsie
Guest
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/wallaby-stat-smackdown-blindside-flanker-and-inside-centre/ read some fact before spouting the same myths over and over again. horne had the 2nd best numbers of any aus IC this year (after godwin)
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Horne has been terrible for years and this year in super rugby his form steadily improved to 'average' or to be kinder 'solid but totally unspectacular'. He is a proven match loser at international level and the ARU should not be wasting money topping his contract up
Fin
Guest
Will Skelton, Does everything Sita does plus jumps in the lineout and has his feet at the end of his legs rather than his arms. He and Douglas will make a pretty good Super Rugby pairing.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Jutsie, not disputing the value of Horne and Dennis, but Timani in my opinion, is much harder to replace as I felt he was just maturing.
jutsie
Guest
simon horne did a great job at IC this year. his best year yet. and dennis isnt great at test level but he grew into his role as captain for the tahs and does alot more grunt work than timani.
GWS
Guest
Really like cheika but some of the signings are crap
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
I would have much preferred if Sitaleki Timani had stayed rather than Dennis and Horne. Bad mistake by Cheika!