Looks Like Stephen Moore Will Be Wearing Red After All

Sorry Munster fans, we couldn’t resist.

Australia captain Stephen Moore will join the Reds at the end of the 2016 season, a decision that his left his current franchise the Brumbies “exceedingly disappointed”.

Moore, who has 102 Wallabies caps to his name, was linked with a move to Munster but he has opted to stay in Australia and has re-joined the franchise he played for from 2003 to 2008.

It is a move that will be welcomed by those from Queensland but the Canberra-based franchise have been left upset by the hooker’s decision.

“We are exceedingly disappointed about today’s announcement that Stephen Moore will leave the Brumbies at the end of 2016,” Brumbies CEO Michael Jones said. “Stephen Larkham and I worked extremely hard to create a deal that was acceptable to Moore and his agent. We were given a deadline and moved heaven and earth to satisfy that deadline including late night calls to South Africa where Moore was holidaying.

“Following those negotiations, a very generous long-term offer was first agreed by his agent and was submitted to Moore late last Thursday. This offer met a number of unique demands including a deadline that was imposed onto us by them.”

He added: “After speaking with Stephen personally, he spoke passionately about wanting to remain a Brumby and pleaded with us to come up with an offer to meet his demands and counter offers from Europe.

“He clearly expressed the desire to stay in Canberra, wanted to be a Brumby and to extend his career through to the next Rugby World Cup and ultimately finish his career here. The discussions with myself and coaching staff left us in no doubt and with a clear impression that his long-term future would be with the Brumbies if we met the demands we were given. We met every one of those demands. So we were surprised and disappointed to find out he has agreed to join the Reds late last night.

“There is no doubt that Moore has been a fantastic long-term servant of the Brumbies and a great role model for the club and its fans. Both on and off the field, he is a leader within Australian Rugby, and his leadership at the RWC was nothing short of exemplary.

“We deal with professional players and their contracts, family and financial needs all the time. We have no issue whatsoever with any player making any decision regarding their careers, that’s their right and prerogative and we are 100% supportive of this. However, there is no hiding the fact that we are very disappointed with this outcome. At least there is some consolation that he will be staying in Australia.”

Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham says the departing hooker will give his utmost for the franchise in his final season and has identified Josh Mann-Rea, Robbie Abel and Albert Anae as players who can step into Moore’s shoes come 2017.

Source: ESPN