Kuridrani re-signs with Brumbies and Wallabies

Wed, Sep 13, 2017, 6:38 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Tevita Kuridrani confirmed he will stay with the Brumbies and Wallabies until the end of 2019 today. The powerhouse Fijian is enjoying his rugby and believes he has plenty left to give in the chase for Super Rugby and international titles.

Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani wants to become a more complete player, after signing a new two-year deal with the Brumbies and ARU.

Kuridrani’s new two-year deal, officially announced on Wednesday, is a major boon for Australian rugby, with the 26-year-old keenly pursued by overseas clubs in a lengthy contract negotiation.

The Brumbies back admitted he was tempted by those offers, but ultimately had unfinished business at home.

"I was thinking about it a little bit when the first offer came but I think I've still got a lot more to offer to Australian rugby and that made me change my mind to stay for another two years," he said.

"It's one of my long-term goals to be in a World Cup squad (for 2019)," he said.

"I think it was one of the reasons to stay back and have another crack at the World Cup. That's definitely my long-term goal and I'll try to aim for that."

The Fiji-born midfielder played his 50th Test last weekend against the Springboks, four years after making his debut in a 2013 Bledisloe.


Kuridrani has been locked in a competitive selection battle with Samu Kerevi in the past season and that looks set to continue with the Brumbies back now committed until the 2019 World Cup.

Since making his debut, Kuridrani has played 50 of a possible 59 Tests, starting in 40 of those, but the past year has presented a different challenge with Kerevi’s emergence.

Kerevi had the edge in the contest last year before injury opened the door for Kuridrani to return to the starting side in the Spring Tour, and again in June.

Kuridrani returned to the starting side in the second Bledisloe and looks to be back to some of his best form at Test level, especially effective in defence in recent Tests.

Though it might have been a simpler move to head overseas, with the pressure on his Wallabies spot, Kuridrani is more keen to stay in Canberra and add to his game.

"It wasn't the thing, to go overseas to make it easier, I just wanted to stay and work hard and keep pushing for that spot," he said.

"I'm just trying to develop, not just to be stronger in one thing, like attack or defence, I want to be working on everything, to be a player that does everything," he said.

"That's what I've been working hard on, don't want to pick one thing to work on, just keep working hard."


Kuridrani will have a chance to play in his first Canberra Test this weekend, when the Wallabies take on Argentina.

The Wallabies face Argentina on Saturday night, kicking off at 8pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Network Ten, Win and RUGBY.com.au RADIO.

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