Workhorse Wallabies lock Sam Carter says he’s close to finalising a deal with the Brumbies and the ARU to extend his contract past 2015.
Carter’s impending signature will bring welcome relief to Aussie rugby fans as lock numbers have dwindled in recent times.
Emerging Test second rowers Kane Douglas and Peter Kimlin both departed for European rugby over the past two years, while James Horwill will leave after the 2015 World Cup.
“We’re very close. But I’m not focusing too much on that at the moment,” Carter said.
“But, yeah it would definitely (be good to get it finalised).
Carter’s comments come following reports that he and fellow Brumbies Test players Scott Fardy and Tevita Kuridrani were all on the verge of re-signing.
Carter, who was man-of-the-match in his first of 11 games for the Wallabies last year, said there was a desire amongst the Brumbies squad to keep the core of the playing group together.
“We’re building towards things,” Carter said.
“Most guys have been together in the squad for the last three or four years and it’s been really enjoyable.
“We were in the final two years ago. And got knocked out in the semi last year. There’s a bit of hunger around the squad to finish things off.”
He added that he hadn’t paid attention to any offers from overseas.
“I’m pretty happy in Australia and want to stay here.”
After two wins from their first three games this season, Carter and his Brumbies teammates will look to consolidate their lead at the top of the Australian conference with a win over the Western Force in Canberra this Friday.
Bakkies
Guest
You have to make the tackles first. From 1 to 15 there are very few dominant tacklers. When Moore last played a lot of tests he was offloading and putting players in to space. He was a level above on the 2013 tour. Slipper is no Healy or James Cronin but he does get over the gainline and sets up the ruck well. That is key particularly if Phipps is starting.
Bakkies
Guest
I am not defending the combination as such but there is no option given the exodus of players in the tight five and Horwill's poor form. I just don't understand the criticism in regards to ball carrying. 1. Slipper 2. Moore 3. Kepu 4. Arnold 5. Simmons 6. Fardy 7. Pocock 8. McCalman If Pocock is not fit I would go with Gill given the opposition in the pool and a potential match against the Boks if the Wallabies get out of it in second place.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Bakkies - Alright nominate your preferred balanced Wallaby pack, with Carter and Simmons starting since you seem to be defending that combination.
Mike
Guest
I've thought for a while that Fardy as test lock is worth trying. He seems to be doing quite well there in SR. The way that L Timani and McMahon have been coming on means that its more realistic to think about moving Fardy. I am not saying either player will make it into the Wallabies just yet, but after only three games the signs are encouraging.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Not that well. Also they all die with the ball. Also all of them are the frontrow. The scrums take a lot out of them and their carrying diminshes as the game goes on. Also none are agile or fast, far too many negatives to rely on them for it. TPN has been focusing on defence rather than carrying. Also need powerful tacklers. Bottom line cannot afford 2 beanpoles as lock with high workrates but physically weak. The locks should be complimentary not the same. Basically if 4 and 5 are Carter and Simmons. 6 is Fardy, there is not enough power in carrying and tackles.
Bakkies
Guest
Slipper, Moore and TPN can carry.
Bakkies
Guest
Same can be said about other players in the pack. Simmons is just inaccurate too often which leads to silly penalties. Horwill has had discipline problems on and off.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Arnold is about as big as Skelton, almost as effective in general play and mauls. Far better at the lineout. Also a little bit fitter. Ideally we would want a lock to be lineout caller but Mowen, Dennis, and Higginbotham have shown that does not have to be the case. Horwill, Carter, Simmons have all been tried. We obviously need a lot better. So for the RC Arnold and Fardy the locks. Fardy does not play like a normal 6 but is more of a ruck monkey, and actually plays like a lock in general play. Higginbotham at 6 or 8 as the lineout caller. If Higginbotham is injured or out of form we also cannot afford the only powerful ball carrier to be no 8. With Pocock dominating rucks then Arnold and Carter at lock Timani at 6 Pocock at 7. I see Higginbotham of far greater value than Carter. The trouble I see is Cheika will not experiment in the rc. If we are stuck with Horwill and Simmons and Fardy at 6 this has proven to not be up to it as a combination.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
He may eventually do exactly that. Not quite there yet, however. The trouble is that the cupboard is bare. Skelton was supposed to be the gamechanger, but he can't jump and his impact around the park is not proportionate to his imposing frame. Who would be your choice for the second row, PeterK?
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree locks should not be carrying a lot of ball. Trouble is neither Carter or Simmons are damaging hitting rucks , often they are damp wet kleenex that drapes itself over the ruck.
Ken
Guest
Some Australian rugby supporters really are pathetic.
Bakkies
Guest
Yeah i did with both eyes open. Locks cannot do both effectively. When O'Connell is carrying a lot he isn't hitting rucks which sees him clogging up the backline and the ball supply isn't as quick. So how can you expect them to hit rucks to deliver clean ball when you want them to carry over the gain line? Go on do tell. There's something seriously wrong with your game management when your locks are carrying a lot of ball.
Squirrel
Guest
Agree Cheik will not have Simmons and Carter as it was suicide if Bakkies you watched the EOYT
Magic Sponge
Guest
With 2nd rows like simmons and carters we will never win the ruck contest.
PeterK
Roar Guru
One lineout general who is weak ie Simmons is enough. Having 2 in the wallabies in Carter and Simmons is suicide. Neither are physically dominant. Do not smash anyone in tackles. Are not effective smashing people off rucks, often they hit the guy and fall off and the defender is still there. Carter is fine for the brumbies, and fine for the wallabies if he replaces Simmons.
Bakkies
Guest
Do you prefer your locks to run with the ball rather than hit rucks and win lineouts? Like the rest of your posts your priorities are wrong.
Squirrel
Guest
Pity he is not off to France, another soft wallaby who can't run with the footy and get over the advantage line
Targa
Guest
Note to headline writers - if you want more comments etc, change the headline to: Carter not going to France. Larkham gets him for the Brumbies.