The ACT Brumbies have landed a major signing coup on the eve of the Super Rugby finals, finalising a deal to keep Tevita Kuridrani in Canberra for at least one more season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It can be revealed Kuridrani has committed to a contract extension until the end of 2020, making him the latest player to turn his back on overseas offers to remain in Australian rugby.
The destructive outside centre has been in career-best form this year and will almost certainly force his way back into the Wallabies squad this year after failing to play a Test in 2018.
His decision to stay in the capital is a boost for the Brumbies, who are chasing a record sixth consecutive win in their clash against the Queensland Reds on Saturday night.
They have already secured a finals berth and will host a quarter-final next weekend.
But Brumbies coach Dan McKellar has been juggling championship aspirations with retaining the bulk of his squad as overseas clubs chase his stars given this year is the end of a World Cup cycle.
Kuridrani joins Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Banks, Rob Valetini, Lachlan McCaffrey, Jahrome Brown, Matt Lucas and Tom Cusack in signing new Brumbies contracts this season.
The Brumbies are also expected to add NSW flanker Will Miller and former scrumhalf Nic White to bolster the squad.
Henry Speight (Reds), David Pocock (retirement), Sam Carter (Ireland) and Rory Arnold (France) have confirmed their departures while captain Christian Lealiifano is weighing up his future.
BRUMBIES NEWS
It's understood Jordan Jackson-Hope and Chance Peni will likely move their careers to Japan at the end of this season.
Kuridrani has played 119 games for the Brumbies and has scored seven tries this season after playing almost every minute of every game.
"Canberra has been my home for a long time now and I love playing for the club in front of our fans who has always been very good to me. It's a good group of players and staff here and we are like one big family," Kuridrani said.
"Canberra is a beautiful place to live and I and am looking forward to making some more happy memories with both the Brumbies and the Wallabies."
Kuridrani is set for a midfield showdown with close friend Samu Kerevi when the Brumbies host the Reds.
Kerevi, who is expected to move to Japan at the end of the year, has spent most of the season as the Reds' inside centre, but he is expected to battle with Kuridrani for the Wallabies' No. 13 jersey.
Kerevi leaped ahead of Kuridrani last year, but the Brumbies powerhouse has dropped six kilograms and has been an attacking weapon in the second half the season.
Wallabies spots will be up for grabs in the last interstate derby of the season, with Test coach Michael Cheika to cast his eye over World Cup candidates.
Brumbies hopefuls have the added advantage of playing in the finals and riding the team's wave of form in the back half of the season.
The Brumbies won just two of their first seven games before finding their rhythm to win seven of the past eight matches.
"Samu is a big part of how [the Reds] play, there are other threats around him as well," McKellar said.
"It's going to be a big challenge for us, they'll throw everything at us and we have to be ready for that."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 18
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. James Slipper, 18. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Murray Douglas, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Jordan Jackson-Hope.
Reds: 1. JP Smith, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Harry Hockings, 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Angus Scott-Young, 9. Scott Malolua, 10. Matt McGahan, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Samu Kerevi, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Bryce Hegarty. Reserves: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Ruan Smith, 18. Gav Luka, 19. Caleb Timu, 20. Scott Higginbotham, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Duncan Paia'aua, 23. Sefa Naivalu.