Veteran Ben Alexander will stay at the Brumbies until the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season after signing a one-year contract extension.
It’s the fourth time the prop has re-signed with the franchise since joining them in 2008.
The new deal will allow the Wallabies’ equal most-capped Test prop to add to his current tally of 72 caps and Alexander will be hoping to do that at this year’s World Cup.
Alexander said the decision reflected his passion for the Wallabies and Brumbies, and he insisted he was keen to be part of the growth of both sides.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities Rugby has given me in this country and when I weighed everything up in deciding my future, it became quite clear that this is where I want to be,” Alexander said.
“Representing the Wallabies and the Brumbies is something I’m very passionate about, and I feel both teams are trending in the right direction to have plenty of success over the next few years.”
Alexander said the Wallabies had plenty to make amends for in the 2015 World Cup.
“While the end result wasn’t what we wanted, it was a great experience being part of the World Cup in 2011 and it is something I would love to be part of again,” he said.
“The squad learned a lot from the tournament and I’m sure those players who took part will be a lot better for the experience this time round.
“There is no doubt that World Cups are really special events, so I’m just working as hard as possible to put my hand up for selection when the moment arrives.”
With AAP
Shane D
Roar Rookie
A little off topic but I have often wondered too myself (normally on days when there arent any tumble weeds blowing by to amuse me) why we don't allow props to place their hands on the ground to steady the scrum. I know that back the day it was seen as a way to get leverage under your man & pop him. What I am thinking though if it was allowed in order to steady the scrum prior to the feed of the ball it might just reduce collapses on engagement.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. I am not. I never said he was a better test level scrummager. I said, exactly: "he’d easily be in the top 20 Super Rugby props". That's based on Super Rugby form. You said there's no way Alexander is better than Kepu, and I responded, again only referring to Super Rugby form: "Not if you don’t consider how they have consistently performed at Super Rugby level the last 2 and a half seasons". At Super Rugby, Alexander has still performed better than Kepu since about 2012, when the Waratahs last had a dominant scrum. This year it has improved after 2 poor years though. If I was picking a test team, sure I'd pick Kepu. But if I picked Kepu over Alexander at Super Rugby level, I'd be ignoring scrummaging form over the last 2 and a half years.
PeterK
Roar Guru
TWAS - You are backtracking. You wrote For one he’d definitely be higher up than his Waratah and Force contemporaries in fact. This does not say the brumbies scrum but he Alexander is higher than Kepu. This year Tahs scrum has been better than brumbies one as well.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'm not saying that Alexander is a better prop. I'd have Kepu over him every day of the week. But on club form, the Brumbies scrum has been stronger since 2013.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I'm with you Pete - I don't think it is close between the two of them.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He was in great scrummaging form in 2009. Then suffered injury and kept switching back to LH as Palmer was in the Brumbies. His TH play went backwards and I don't think has reached those heights since.
PeterK
Roar Guru
last year tahs had no focus on the scrum. This year tahs have outperfomed the brumbies in the scrum. Head to head they outscrummed them twice. Looking at the stats alexander has given away a lot more penalties , with an assumption that most have been in the scrum.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Sorry it may have been 2009 or 2012.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Not if you don't consider how they have consistently performed at Super Rugby level the last 2 and a half seasons, sure.
MJB
Guest
Every time he scores a try the entire pub gets a round for free.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Agree it is good for the brumbies, it is hard to find good props in australia,
PeterK
Roar Guru
There is no way Alexander is better than Kepu his contemporary at tahs at THP.
Mike
Guest
I agree with you that Alexander is not nearly as bad a scrummager as many people make out - they tend to be the ones who like to jump on a bandwagon rather than actually look at the scrums. But it wasn't Alexander at Twickenham in 2008. The Australian props were Robinson and Baxter, and they each played the full 80 minutes. The Australian reserve prop (only one in those days) was Dunning and he wasn't used.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Really? If there's one thing we have seen, it's that European teams have been more than happy to pick up substandard scrummagers. Rodney Blake for example. You clearly don't watch the Brumbies play. Whenever Sio, Moore and Alexander play, they have had a very strong scrum at Super Rugby level. I dare say he'd easily be in the top 20 Super Rugby props. For one he'd definitely be higher up than his Waratah and Force contemporaries in fact. He has struggled at times at Super Rugby level though. He's also been part of very good performances at time (Him and Robinson tore apart England at Twickenham in 2008 in fact).
Mike
Guest
I've seen Woodcock at top of his game put his hand on the ground too. It's something a lot of props do occasionally when they can get away with it.
Bakkies
Guest
He gets lazy. Remember when he would insist with putting his hand on his hand on the ground. Dunning got a contract at Biarritz so there is hope yet.
Mike
Guest
Yep. I think he will struggle to make the test team, but this gives some real stability and experience for Brumbies.
RobC
Roar Guru
A good keep. Congrats Brumbies and BA
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Wasn't that long ago that this scrummager' was the tighthead in one of Jake White's packs that regularly bullied other teams and used the scrum to win penalties. But I guess that was just a coincidence and he doesn't deserve any credit...
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Wow. All we need is Beale to recommit and Horwill to turn his back on Harlequins and we're good to go for another 5 years of absolute mediocrity. C'mon Ashes !!!