Allan Alaalatoa has become the first current Wallabies player to commit to Rugby Australia through to the end of 2027.
The 62-time Wallabies prop will continue playing his club rugby with the ACT Brumbies, where he is captain and reigning player of the year.
Alaalatoa’s four-year contract extension could be his last; he will turn 34 in the weeks after the deal expires.
“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to continue my career in Australian Rugby,” he said in a statement.
“The chance to continue to build a life for me and my family in Canberra and come to work every day at a club that means the world to me is special and I’ll be proud to continue wearing the Brumbies jersey for the next four years.
“It’s an exciting time for Rugby in Australia and I’m really looking forward to this year where we have the chance to do something great at both the Brumbies and with the Wallabies.”
Alaalatoa captained the Wallabies for the first time in the side’s disappointing spring tour, when incumbent captain James Slipper was rested for the loss to Italy.
At the time, coach Dave Rennie tipped Alaalatoa as a possible long-term Wallabies skipper, given Slipper and former captain Michael Hooper are both approaching the end of their careers.
The announcement of Alaalatoa’s contract extension comes a week after Eddie Jones replaced Rennie as head coach as the Wallabies look to recover from a disappointing 2022 and make good at this year’s World Cup.
By Jasper BruceÂ
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