Star Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani says he isn't quite ready to leave Canberra after signing a one-year extension to stay in the capital.
Kuridrani has inked a new one-year deal with the Brumbies and Rugby Australia that will keep him in Canberra until the end of 2020.
The 28-year-old was chased by overseas clubs and there was even speculation that he might return to Brisbane to join the Reds but in recent weeks, it had become clear he was happy to stay put.
Speaking on Friday, Kuridrani said he had considered other options but couldn't bring himself to walk away from his adopted home.
"Yeah there was a few places that offered for me to go but I really love Canberra, really like the community down here, the place, so wasn't really ready to go," he said.
"That made it easy for me to stay, sign one more year."
Kuridrani is one of the form players in Australian Super Rugby this season, amid an impressive Brumbies season, and he will be among the top contenders to start at 13 for the Wallabies when that campaign begins next month.
Kuridrani made his Brumbies debut in 2012 against the Reds and has gone on to play 112 matches for the side, adding 58 Wallabies caps to that as well.
He was one of the most regularly-picked by Wallabies coach Michael Cheika around the 2015 Rugby World Cup but he has had more competition for his spot with injuries and the emergence of Samu Kerevi in recent years.
Kuridrani missed last year's Test season with a pectoral injury but has come back at full fitness in 2019, something his form has reflected.
it's that absence that he believes has helped him return to some of his best form in 2019.
"I think being rested last year, I've never really had a really good rest like that," he said.
"I know I had an injury but it made me rest for three months.
"Used to be playing all the time - I think (it helped) to just recharge the battery and had a really good preseason and that really helped a lot and come into this season really fresh and recharged."
Cheika said he had been impressed with Kuridrani so far this year.
“Tevita has been in strong form so far this season and I’m pleased he’s staying in Canberra with the Brumbies after the World Cup.
“He got the chance to get a full preparation this year and it’s showing. I know he’s very hungry to earn a Test jersey again this season so I am looking forward to him being at his best in 2019."
The Brumbies take on the Reds on Saturday June 15 at GIO Stadium, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
PLAYER MOVEMENTS
What are some of Australia's capped Wallabies doing after the 2019 World Cup?
While this is no exhaustive list, take a look at where some of Australia's biggest Super Rugby names are looking for 2020 and beyond.
Leaving
Waratahs
Curtis Rona - London Irish
Nick Phipps - London Irish
Sekope Kepu - London Irish
Reds
Scott Higginbotham - Bordeaux
Sefa Naivalu - Stade Francais
Brumbies
Rory Arnold - Toulouse
Sam Carter - Ulster
David Pocock - Panasonic
Henry Speight - Reds
Rebels
Adam Coleman - London Irish
STAYING
Waratahs
Michael Hooper - 2023
Jack Dempsey - 2020
Tom Robertson - 2020
Reds
Taniela Tupou - 2020
Izack Rodda - 2020
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - 2020
Brumbies
Allan Alaalatoa - 2023
Tom Banks - 2022
Scott Sio - 2022
Tevita Kuridrani - 2020
Joe Powell - 2020
James Slipper - 2020
Rebels
Dane Haylett-Petty - 2021
Reece Hodge - 2020
Jack Maddocks - 2020
Jermaine Ainsley - 2020
Luke Jones - 2020
UNCONFIRMED
Waratahs
Bernard Foley
Karmichael Hunt
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Kurtley Beale
Reds
Samu Kerevi
Brumbies
Christian Lealiifano
Rebels
Will Genia
Marika Koroibete
Quade Cooper
