Brumbies chase Moore

The Brumbies have stepped up their efforts to sign Reds hooker Stephen Moore.

The Brumbies have stepped up their efforts to sign Reds hooker Stephen Moore.

Brumbies Chief Executive Andrew Fagan accompanied coach Laurie Fisher as the duo flew to Brisbane on Wednesday on a mission to persuade Moore to move to Canberra.

The incumbent Wallabies hooker has already informed the Reds that he will exercise a clause in his contract and leave the franchise at the end of this season, and both the Brumbies and Western Force have been chasing the 25-year-old's signature.

But on Thursday Fagan was confident Moore would commit to the Brumbies, which would effectively result in a direct swap for the Brumbies Saia Faingaa, who has already signed with the Reds for the next two seasons.

“We had a good chat [with Moore],” Fagan said told the Canberra Times.

“It was an opportunity to put our case to him, to talk about the strengths of his game, how we think he would work in the Brumbies style of play and how we could continue to improve him in our rugby program.

“He seemed genuinely interested and we think we're in with a good chance of securing his signature.”

Moore has been with Queensland Reds since 2003 and has fought his way into the Wallaby number two jersey and was a key player in Australia's World Cup campaign in 2007.

But the big front-rower feels he has learned all he can at the Reds.

One of Moore's biggest demands from the meeting with Fagan and Fisher was that he wanted to know who would be coaching the Brumbies next season before he made his decision.

The ACT Rugby Union Board will refrain from announcing the 2009 coach until the completion of this year's Super 14, meaning Moore will either have to wait six weeks before signing or take a risk and commit to the Brumbies before a coach is finalised.

Moore played under Fisher at U21 and Australia A level.

“Stephen said he would like to make a decision earlier rather than later but equally he doesn't want to make a decision before he gets information about the Brumbies coaching status,” Fagan said.

“What we agreed on was to stay in close communication on that issue.

“He wanted to know what Laurie's position was and whether there'd be any broader changes to the Brumbies set up and we said we would keep him abreast of that situation.”

Fisher said Moore's career could benefit from a move to the Brumbies over the Force.

“He feels he's got a lot more progress to make in his game,” the coach said.

“He's looking for an environment to make that progress and we believe Canberra could well be that place.

“It's always hard to tell after a chat like that what the player is thinking but we put our case forward and I hope he decides to come to Canberra.”

Whether Fisher stays on as coach remains to be seen, the incumbent coming out of contract at the end of the season.

Fagan confirmed the interview process was under way and that his most recent expression of interest came on Wednesday.

“There's been interest from around the world and we're happy with how the process is going,” he said.