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Alexander to sign ARU deal but Smith's future clouded
Ben Alexander's future in Australian rugby until the next World Cup is secure but George Smith's remains far less certain.
The ARU and the Brumbies will announce today Alexander has agreed to terms for a new two-year deal, which will see him stay with his current employers until at least the end of 2011.
Alexander's contract will be more financially lucrative than his current deal, considering he was a surprise Wallabies debutant last year.
But while the Brumbies prop has decided to sign, his ACT and Australian teammate Smith's future remains much more clouded.
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan will meet with Smith's manager Mark Jones today in a bid to gain a clearer understanding of the champion openside flanker's plans.
Fagan has had preliminary discussions with Jones regarding Smith's future but believes an answer could still be as far as six weeks away.
Smith, who comes off contract with the Brumbies and ARU at the end of the year, is being courted by some of the richest clubs in Europe and Asia.
Fagan hoped the lure of staying in Australia and representing the Wallabies at one more World Cup would sway Smith to stay, but he wasn't so sure.
"I'd say George is only 50/50 at this stage," Fagan said.
"George is pretty excited by the future of the Brumbies. He can see the next couple of years being successful with the likes of Matt Giteau coming and who knows who else, plus the prospect of another World Cup is very appealing to him.
"But he's weighing those things up against significant interest overseas and deciding how much longer he wants to play for and where he wants to do that."'
Fagan accepted the huge financial offers abroad may sway Smith to follow former teammates George Gregan and Stephen Larkham and test international waters.
The Canberra Times understands Smith's combined contract with the Brumbies and ARU is worth about $500,000 a year but he could earn more than double that per season in Europe or France.
"The Australian money will definitely fall short of the overseas money on offer so that is another dimension George will have to weigh up," Fagan said.
"George loves the Brumbies and will never play anywhere else in Australia but he's got to consider how he's thinking about the back end of his career panning out."
While Smith is yet to decide where his future lies, Alexander was quick to sign a contract when it was offered.
The 24-year-old didn't seek offers from rival Australian Super 14 clubs, wanting only to continue playing for the Brumbies.
And when the ARU topped up his contract suitably, Alexander had no hesitation making it official.
"I was pretty keen to sort something out so I could worry about the now with the Brumbies, not about my future,"' Alexander said.
"I didn't go asking for rival offers because this is where I want to be."
In what's been a big couple of days for Alexander, he will also make his Super 14 starting debut when the Brumbies play the Johannesburg Lions early Sunday morning.
Coach Andy Friend elevated Alexander into the starting XV at the expense of Nic Henderson, which came as a surprise to the replacement prop.
"I didn't think there would be changes, given we won last week and none of the starting props all season have had a bad game," Alexander said.
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...054966751.html