Stephen Moore to Leave Brumbies
Already the Brumbies' blue-chip stock, David Pocock's value soared even higher on Thursday following Stephen Moore's bombshell announcement that he will leave Canberra to join the Queensland Reds after the 2016 Super Rugby season.
The Wallabies captain left the Brumbies stunned after indicating he was keen see out his career in the national capital after playing 102 matches for the franchise since 2009.
The Brumbies, though, were unable to secure a deal with their skipper, despite moving "heaven and earth" to meet his "unique" demands.
Chief executive Michael Jones said the club was "exceedingly disappointed" by his decision to return to the Reds, where he made his Super Rugby debut in 2003.
"(Coach) Stephen Larkham and I worked extremely hard to create a deal that was acceptable to Moore and his agent," Jones said in a statement on Thursday.
"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."
Jones said the Brumbies made a "very generous" long-term offer late last Thursday, to which Moore's agent agreed.
"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," added Jones.
"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."
Coach Larkham said the 2015 semi-finalists would now start planning for the 2017 without key man Moore.
"It's disappointing that he has chosen to leave, but we now have to begin planning for a suitable replacement," he said.
The Brumbies have plenty of depth in the hooker role, with Wallaby representative Josh Mann-Rea and the up-and-coming Robbie Abel, as well as recruit Albert Anae.
But the 102-Test veteran's leadership experience will be almost impossible to replace, leaving the Brumbies extra desperate now to retain Pocock.
The champion back-rower - arguably the most influential performer at this year's World Cup - is only contracted to the Brumbies and Australian Rugby Union until the end of 2016.
He could command huge money from cashed-up European and Japanese clubs, but is also eager to pursue a humanitarian career.
Moore's departure will at least free up funds in the Brumbies' salary cap that may help retain the 27-year-old who is only now entering the peak of his career following two seasons ruined by knee reconstructions.
Moore will return to training on January 4.
