Brumbies and Wallabies forwards Sam Carter and Scott Fardy have both re-signed with Australian rugby for a further two years.
The contract extensions mean both will remain with Australian rugby until the end of 2017.
30-year-old utility Fardy has become a crucial part of Australia’s forward pack in recent years after making his debut in 2013, playing 20 matches for the Wallabies, predominantly at blindside flanker.
25-year-old lock Sam Carter has played 11 matches for the Wallabies, and was a regular starter under Ewen McKenzie in 2014 after a strong season with the Brumbies.
Carter said he was thrilled to remain in Australia.
“It was a really enjoyable experience being part of the Wallabies program last year, and one I’ll continue to work hard towards being part of in the future,” Carter said.
“Right now, we’re in the middle of a really important campaign with the Brumbies, but I’ll be putting my best foot forward to hopefully push my way into Test selection later in the year.”
Fardy said there was plenty to look forward to for the Wallabies at this year’s Rugby World Cup and beyond.
“Being part of a Rugby World Cup is obviously a huge milestone all players in Australia want to be part of, and I think that will bring the best out of most players throughout the year,” Fardy said.
“That’s exciting for Australian Rugby, while I think the squad is building nicely for the future and are in a good position to have success over the next few years.”
WAYNE
Guest
I disagree GIFFEN AND EALES could ball carry, but were much smartler at doing it and had better players around them.. Anyway we`re off track here and mentioning GIFFEN AND EALES with those brumby nuffies is rediculous .. I was referring to Carters and Fardy non existent running game .So what we require urgently is good ball carriers to offset their massive running limitaions.. Every time ive seen FARDY OR CARTER hit it up one of the ruck.. WHOOOSKAAAA!!! SMASHED!! no offload nothing just SMASHED..So other than Hooper and Moore, we have no one..VAEA ,HIGGERS, ARNOLD and SKELTON ( who has more upside them those two nuffies )..must be fit for the Wallas to succeed IMO...
Bakkies
Guest
Moore has really added to his game. Look at the soft hands in the build up to the try that got the boys over the gain line.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Perhaps this is an overly conservative view, but Higginbotham is a liability I don't think the Wallabies can afford. I'd probably want McCalman at 8 (though I suppose some will think Palu), so that leaves Timani in the discussion for 6, and I give it 2 months before he's injured.
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Given that the brumbies pack are the most effective in Aus at the moment (until the bench comes on admittedly), you'd want to look pretty closely at how they work as a unit before you start bagging. If he keeps improving fitness and form you'd think Ita Vaea would be in the back of Cheikas mind. Carters lost a fair bit of ball last game and has a bit make up but Fardy is essential for the wallabies if they keeps hooper on the field.
Bakkies
Guest
For locks to be effective running with the ball there needs to be space and a mismatch with a back who has no forward protection. No surprise that Danie Rossouw's best carrying game for Toulon was when the space was open in the 9 to 10 channel for him to run at pace. On a normal day his carries were useless and he had a habit of losing it in contact. First of all you have to create the space. You're not going to do that when your tallest players are doing 1 metre carries in to players that are similar in bulk producing slow ball and enables the defence to fan out. Nathan Sharpe had a habit of doing 1 metre carries out in the centres that produced slow ball. Fardy enables Hooper to play his running game particularly created by turnovers. That's what occurred in the 2013 tour. Now he is getting slagged for being ineffective doing the work that Hooper and Higginbotham are accused of not doing.
Bakkies
Guest
The Wallabies need locks that hit rucks, make tackles, win Lineouts and can hold the scrum not another forward fannying out in the centres getting in the way of the backs. The Wallabies rely on a platform of high tempo quick ball. Fardy already covers Hooper's role of slowing down of ruck ball and winning turnovers. Two of those players you named aren't locks and Skelton is a liability at set piece. Eales and Giffin weren't ball carriers and they are miles above Chisholm and Samo who were. Chisholm was slated for his lack of ruck work then turned himself in to a gym monkey.
WAYNE
Guest
So we dont require locks to run anymore in australia?? Have you seen Whitleock and Rettilicks carries over the last couple of years??? Obviously not ..So we signed two rubbish short skinny grafting cant run no skill locks.. AWESOME ARU..We only want 85 kilo hooper to ball carry in traffic and out wide , RIGHT?? .. Well done guys..No chance in THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP and RWC if HIGGERS VAEA, RORY ARNOLD and SKELTON are not cherry ripe..We cannot win the RWC pool games with CARTER FARDY SIMMONS ( lineouts general saves him) in our pack...PALU is not considered as he is the softest 120 kilo human in OZ...
Ken
Guest
Because he clearly doesn't understand how rugby works.
Andy Thompson
Roar Pro
Hilarious!
pjm
Roar Rookie
Hooper is Australia's best forward ball carrier.
pjm
Roar Rookie
You've picked 3 tight locks though.
Paul
Guest
I need to see more from him to put him in the mix. he may have scored a couple of tries, but I rate the others above him. He's not making the metres the others are with the ball, and hasn't shown any input to the lineout.
Paul
Guest
PJM, see above I had Arnold I the mix. But you can't got to RWC with Arnold and Arnold alone.
Bakkies
Guest
What's running go to do with graft and actual forward play? The Wallabies already play an extra back when Hooper is in the side so why the need for more?
WAYNE
Guest
AWESOME !! Two blokes who cant run and have no skill. AWESOME ARU !!
pjm
Roar Rookie
Arnold is better at scrums and rucks/mauls, he has the ability to keep Ben "The Hinge" Alexander up. And he's 8cm taller than Simmons so good at line outs.
pjm
Roar Rookie
You'd need Hooper there then, best forward ball carrier in Aus.
Paul
Guest
Simmons value is more than just the lineout. He is an excellent scrum lock also with a good motor and work rate. If he can get a handle on his discipline he'd be indispensable.
Utah
Guest
I don't know if Simmons is a certainty anymore. Fardy and Carter have adjusted pretty well to running the lineout this year in Mowen's absence. Might give Cheika some food for thought.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Timani could easily be in the picture At least you did not include Carter.