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Super Sam to sign with Wallabies, Reds
By Jim Morton 17:31 AEST Thu Apr 10 2008 Super Sam to sign with Wallabies, Reds
Halfback Sam Cordingley is poised to decline the Euros on offer in France and back himself to be George Gregan's long-term Wallabies successor.
Cordingley said Thursday he was set to re-sign with the Australian and Queensland Rugby Unions to wear Australia's No.9 jersey and also lead the Reds out of the Super 14 mire.
The canny 32-year-old admitted he had seriously weighed up good offers from two French clubs but preferred his future prospects at home.
"It's a difficult one at my age with opportunities overseas but obviously the opportunity to captain Queensland first and foremost is a massive incentive to stay," he told AAP.
"The chance to start for the Wallabies is also a huge motivation.
"I imagine it's a very open race at the moment."
Cordingley indicated only minor details needed to be finalised to a new ARU contract which may be signed as early as Friday.
A World Cup tourist last year, Cordingley is the front-runner to start the Test season as the Wallabies halfback following Gregan's international retirement.
Outgoing Test selector Michael O'Connor said the shaven-headed Queensland skipper remained the toughest, most consistent and best passer among Australia's otherwise young crop of halfbacks.
O'Connor rated Cordingley's Reds back-up Ben Lucas and NSW's Luke Burgess with him in the top three while Brumbies youngster Josh Holmes was an equally exciting prospect.
"It's a healthy thing and for too long there hasn't been any competition," he said.
In an mark of Cordingley's quality, O'Connor said he would have been Australia's starting World Cup halfback if not for a lingering foot injury that plagued him the previous 12 months.
"I think he would have overtaken George," the dual international said. "He was certainly the stand-out player when he came back.
"He could have taken that mantle before the injury struck."
Cordingley has played the bulk of his 14 Tests off the bench but is under no illusions he's a certainty to win the staring role for the season's opening Test against Ireland on June 14 in Melbourne.
More than that, he wants to prove he's no interim measure until the best youngster emerges.
"I have four or five (Super 14) games to prove that is not the case," said Cordingley, likely to miss the Reds next clash against the Western Force on April 18 with a calf strain.
"I'm certainly don't want to be considered a caretaker on the international stage."
Holmes started the year as Cordingley's major challenger but has struggled with defence and has shared starting duties with Patrick Phibbs at the Brumbies.
The Western Force have also juggled their halfbacks, James Stannard and Chris O'Young, since they punted the ill-disciplined Matt Henjak for punching teammate Haig Sare.
Burgess was only given his first start ahead of Wallabies Brett Sheehan and Josh Valentine last weekend but starred in the Waratahs' 37-16 win over the Blues.
"I'm very excited about Luke Burgess," O'Connor said. "I think it's a long time coming with him and he's been on the fringe for a while and it was difficult when I was Australian selector because he hadn't played any Super 14.
O'Connor also rated Lucas, a promising five-eighth until this year, a surprise revelation for the Reds.
"From what I've seen every aspect of his game has been good. I think he's one of the top halfbacks without a doubt, and he tackles well."
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Originally Posted by jono
before he can cement the 
