Powerhouse Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani has re-signed with the ARU and the Brumbies for another two years.
It’s understood the Fijian-born outside centre declined offers from both overseas and other Super Rugby franchises to stay on at the Brumbies under coach Stephen Larkham.
Kuridrani, 23, has played 20 Tests for the Wallabies since his debut in September 2013, becoming the first choice outside centre ahead of Waratahs veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper.
With Test centurion Ashley-Cooper off to Bordeaux to play in the French Top 14 after the 2015 Rugby World Cup in September, Kuridrani will provide Wallabies coach Michael Cheika with ongoing stability at No.13 going ahead.
His signature is a huge coup for the Brumbies, who also announced contract extensions for Sam Carter, Scott Fardy and Josh Mann-Rea one week ago.
“I am very happy to continue to playing my Rugby in Australia. The Brumbies have been very supportive and I am passionate about playing for the Wallabies,” Kuridrani said.
“Super Rugby is the best place for me to continue to improve and challenge myself to become the best Rugby player I can be.
“It was a very enjoyable experience under Michael Chieka on the recent Spring Tour, and there is a lot of competition for spots in the Wallabies team, especially in the backline.
“I will continue to work hard with my Brumbies teammates to ensure that I can wear the gold jumper again this season and at the Rugby World Club.”
With AAP
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
Mortlock could kick goals :P and was actually faster than people perceived him to be .. I think if Kuridrani worked on his speed, he can be a great number 13, not a legend like BOD or Mortlock, but a Great like Will Greenwood and perhaps Jaque Fourie..
Rollaway7
Roar Guru
Good old FOS
PeterK
Roar Guru
I agree but a lot rate Herbert as better. I am not saying he is better now than either but potentially better than both regardless of who you see as better.
Markus
Guest
Mortlock was better than Herbert. Herbert still very good of course, but made to look much better by being part of a golden era Wallabies team and retiring on a high.
Markus
Guest
To be fair to Speight he's only played 2 tests, and looking average as a winger in two losses where the bulk of the team looked abysmal still means he was among the better performers.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They probably watched him play too pjm rather than just reading the team sheet. That's merely the danger with selecting anybody on form from a lower level. It's unavoidable though. But you don't know how they will adapt. Look at Speight. He was a stand out and Super Rugby level and has been merely average for the Wallabies. People were expecting him to dominate. Then look at Fardy. Never really a stand out but looked like he belonged from his first test and only got better.
pjm
Roar Rookie
He just needs a little bit more pace.
pjm
Roar Rookie
That's the danger with selecting on 'schoolboy honours'. So much politics I doubt Australian Schoolboys have ever selected the best team.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well if lower levels mean nothing, what basis would QLD have signed Kuridrani on? At that point that's all either players had played. 1 was highly decorated. 1 wasn't. Easy decision at the time. You can sit here with 4 years of knowledge on how players further progressed and say it's a bad call like the self righteous t00l that you are but nobody has that at the time. I bet the brumbies didn't break the bank to get Kuridrani and I bet they would have also paid more for CFS at the time. Just so happens only one was available.
riddler
Guest
better than mortlock very possible peterk.. doubt better than herbert but am very happy to be proved wrong as that would mean we have a seriously world class 13 for the first time in many years..
Johnno
Guest
Oh and Steve Larkham has big raps on him.
Rugby101
Guest
Great news, and further evidence of how strong the Rugby program is at the Brumbies! But most important is that he will be available for Australia for the next two years.
Johnno
Guest
Injuries this and that, so what. You can put the injury excuse up there as much as you like, at the end of the day it's how you perform and if your career is injury prone then so be it. Kuridrani is a special talent, he's big, strong, and fast hits the line as hard as any past aussie O/C, and reads the game well. Lower levels mean nothing Train in the big picture, Ryan Cross and Kurtkey Beale, Owen Craigie, were 4 of the most decorated schoolboy rugby players ever, but none achieved really big things or greatness, just had regular pro careers, never fulfilling say a Stirling Mortlock or Craig Wing level in there respective codes these 4 men did. Cross never played for the Kangaroos or SOO and wasn't a regular wallaby,and Flatley never held down long term the 5/8 or I/ spot. And Cragie never played SOO or for the kangaroos, and Beale they all said was gonna be the next Mark Ella, or Larkham. Schoolboy footy in the bigger picture don't count for much. Nether Dan Carter nor Macaw were earmarked for greatness at school, but developed after same as Mortlock. Mccaw didn't make NZ schoolboys, was about 4 best no 7 in NZ,and Mortlock got as high as GPS 3rds, no NSW or aussie schoolboys.
PeterK
Roar Guru
great to see , potentially I see him as better than Mortlock or Herbert, he is that good now.
RobC
Roar Guru
Good news! I wonder how long he will stay.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Considering he was never capped, and CFS broke through as a winger, whilst Kuridrani is a specialist centre, not sure what your point is.
MH01
Guest
I'm sure he will see the light one day FOS! This weekend we need him to beat the TAHS!!! TAHS week!!! Just think of him doing his bid for QLD this Sunday !
MH01
Guest
At the time CFS was the better of the two. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, the Chiefs Let Speight go. There are actually countless examples . I have a look at the greatest NFL players and see what draft number they were, it's amazing how low some of them are, if you have a chance look at the greatest quarterbacks.
taylorman
Roar Guru
That is great news for oz rugby when looking at today's environment and the potential and calibre of the player. And good to see he credits Cheika for one of the reasons for staying...sign of good things...
slaven
Guest
Can't believe he is only 23! Great news. I would say he is the one back in the Wallabies at the moment since Digby left and Genia's demise, that all teams genuinely fear.