Brumbies get Smith, wait on scrumhalf

ACT Brumbies centre Tyrone Smith is set to extend his stay at the club by another two years, but the future of the club's three scrumhalves is more clouded.

Tyrone and his brother George have been in contract negotiations with the club in recent weeks. While there remain some issues to be decided before Wallabies flanker George commits through until the 2011 World Cup, it is believed Tyrone has agreed to terms for a new two-year deal.

Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said yesterday scrumhalves Patrick Phibbs, Josh Holmes and James Stannard have been put on notice that at least one of them would not be retained beyond this season.

With star recruit Matt Giteau capable of playing scrumhalf in emergencies, only two specialist No.9s would be signed for next year.

And ominously for the trio, there have been "a couple" of scrumhalves from other clubs interested in a move to Canberra.

While Fagan would not confirm who the players were, Force scrumhalf Josh Valentine and the Waratahs' Brett Sheehan are both off contract. Sheehan has been linked with a move to the Perth club, which could mean four-time Wallaby Valentine was available.

Rest...

Good news Tyrone has had another good season with the Brumbies...

Somehow I don't think this was the Smith that Brumbies supporters are waiting for.

Maybe a decider either way for Valentine is if he wants to be in history as the second player to play for all four Australian provinces after Fava. (Interestingly, in my calculations, never in the same squad as Fava either, not sure about the earliest days at the Reds)