Rugby: Wallaby Moore re-commits to ARU

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Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore has extended his contract with Australian rugby for a further two years.

Moore's new deal with the Australian Rugby Union means he will continue to play Super Rugby for the Brumbies until the end of 2013.

"When I weighed it all up, it wasn't a hard decision," the 28-year-old said in an ARU statement.

"There is still a lot I want to achieve in Australian Rugby, both with the Wallabies and here at the Brumbies.

"There was also the lifestyle factor to consider. Once we looked at everything, my fiancee Courtney and I came to the decision that Australia is where we want to be."

The world-class No.2's decision comes as a major boost to the ARU, which has a large number of stars coming off contract after this year's World Cup in New Zealand.

With an exodus to Europe predicted, Moore said the Wallabies' recent progress - which has included breakthrough wins over South Africa and New Zealand - and the traditional British and Irish Lions tour in 2013 had also been factors in him staying at home.

"We've worked hard to get into the position that we have," he said.

"Hopefully we can stick together as a group. If we can, there is a lot that we can achieve."

The Saudi Arabia-born forward made his Test debut alongside current Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom against Samoa in Sydney in 2005.

He ended 2010 as Australia's third most-capped hooker behind Jeremy Paul and Phil Kearns.

Moore has played 72 Super Rugby games for Queensland and the Brumbies after debuting for the Reds in 2003.

- AAP