Moore quits the Reds
Reds hooker Stephen Moore has confirmed that he will part company with the Queensland-based side at the end of the current season.
Reds hooker Stephen Moore has confirmed that he will part company with the Queensland-based side at the end of the current season.
The 19-times capped Wallaby informed Reds coach Phil Mooney that he wanted a change of environment having played for the Reds since 2003. Following that he revealed his desire to leave to his team-mates at a Government House reception.
“I've spent the last couple of days talking this through with my family and my advisers and I've decided there are opportunities for me to further my rugby career elsewhere,” Moore told The Australian after confirming to team-mates what they had long suspected was coming.
“It's not that I don't think Queensland isn't turning things around. In fact, there are definitely signs of that already. It's not far off. We've seen glimpses of what's coming and now it's a matter of putting that together on a regular basis.
“There's nothing here that's forcing me out, but sometimes a change is as good as a holiday. You only get one crack at your career and I don't want to look back on mine and have regrets. So I'm backing my gut feeling and moving on.”
With the Brumbies and the Force keen to secure the services of Moore for next season there is no shortage of interest in the hooker. However he will make them wait a little longer whilst he conducts talks with Force officials and awaits a decision as to who will be in charge at the Brumbies next season.
“It's important for me to know who's going to be coaching the Brumbies,” Moore said.
“I've got a good rapport with Laurie Fisher from playing under him in the Australian U21 and Australia A sides. I rate him very highly. He's an excellent coach and my rugby has benefited any time I have played under him.
“If it's not going to be him, then that will influence my decision. I'd want to know what sort of program the new coach has in mind.”
The Brumbies are in no rush to name their new coach, although ACTRU Chief Executive Andrew Fagan insisted on Tuesday that the process was well advanced and Fisher was still very much in consideration.
“We know all about Laurie's qualifications as a coach and what he's capable of,” Fagan said.
“So we're not going to be viewing results over the next couple of weeks in isolation. Results won't have a significant impact on the decision.”