Alexander decides he’ll stick with the Brumbies
Equal most-capped Wallaby prop Ben Alexander has resisted the lure of an overseas contract and re-signed with the ARU and the Brumbies until the end of the 2016 season.
Under the ARU’s new eligibility rules, 30-year-old Alexander could have headed abroad and still been eligible for national selection.
But he chose to stay at the Brumbies, with whom he made his Super Rugby debut in 2008.
“This is the fourth time I’ve resigned with the Brumbies and it’s exciting for me and my family to have things sorted for another 12 months,” said Alexander yesterday.
“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.
“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.”
He has made 112 appearances for the Brumbies and 72 for the Wallabies, including at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He shares the record of most caps for an Australian test prop with NSW Waratahs loosehead and long-time international teammate Benn Robinson and is hoping to add to that tally at this year’s World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Western Force have vowed to make things personal against the Queensland Reds as both try to avoid the wooden spoon.
The last-placed Force (15 points) have three games left to climb off the foot of the table, while the Reds (17) are also in danger of finishing last.
They meet in Perth on Saturday night, with the Force in no mood for niceties. The Perth-based franchise were beaten 18-6 by the Reds earlier this season, and prop Pek Cowan says the team are eager to turn the tables.
“You don’t normally like to lose a derby game, so for us there’s definitely a bit of revenge,” Cowan said. “We’re making it very personal.” The Force were left to rue a series of early missed opportunities in last week’s 23-3 loss to the Highlanders.
Queensland are also aiming to bounce back after losing 21-14 to the Sharks in Brisbane.