Two of the Wallabies’ key men ahead of the summer series with the Lions will be staying in Australia until 2015.
Front rowers Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander are both in the running for a starting spot against Britain and Ireland’s elite on June 22 and the news that they have extended their current contracts will be a big boost to Robbie Deans and the ARU.
The Brumbies pair have signed two-year deals that mean they won’t be taking up big money offers abroad for the foreseeable future.
Moore, who became his country’s most-capped hooker late last year, admitted he has still got a lot that “I would like to achieve both with the Brumbies and the Wallabies, and I can't do that by heading overseas", while prop forward Alexander believes the best is yet to come for club and country.
"While last year was an eventful one, and provided a lot of challenges for everyone associated with the Wallabies, it was a tight group," said Alexander, who is poised to become just the fourth Australian prop to reach a half century of appearances this summer.
"We stuck together and showed what it meant to us to represent Australia.
"The wins in Argentina, where none of us had ever played a Test before, and against England at Twickenham, were incredibly special performances.
"The team showed great heart and togetherness in the face of extreme adversity."
Beating the Lions in five months time would be a major achievement for the Wallabies but it won’t stop them from attempting to push on and claim the number one spot in the IRB World Rankings.
The men in gold might have slipped behind the Springboks in the chase to catch the All Blacks at the head of the standings but Alexander is convinced top spot is a realistic target.
"While we might not be ranked number one in the world at the moment, I truly believe we have the potential to get there," added Alexander.
"Last year's run of injuries has exposed a lot more players, created a lot more competition for places and a lot greater depth in each position, which will help moving forward.
"If you look at the All Blacks, they've got two or three guys who can step up in every position. That's where we are getting to, which is why I believe there is so much more to come from the Wallabies."
