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Video: 'There was a bit of interest from overseas' - Australia prop Alaalatoa speaks about his new deal

Allan Alaalatoa has rejected interest from overseas to sign a new four-year deal with the Brumbies and Rugby Australia.

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The prop, who made his 10th start for the Wallabies in the 37-20 Bledisloe Cup defeat to New Zealand in Yokohama on Saturday, is now contracted until the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Alaalatoa, 24, says he gave the opportunity of playing abroad some thought but could not turn his back on his country.

“I was already contracted for next year but when the opportunity came up to stay until the next Rugby World Cup, I discussed it with my family and the decision was a pretty easy one,” he said.

“There’s an awesome future ahead for the Wallabies. We have a young squad that’s developing each year so I’m just excited to hopefully be part of this group and what it can achieve.

“There was a bit of interest from overseas which is always something you consider but for me, first and foremost, was to stay with Australian rugby and the Brumbies.

“We had a tough camp here [in Odawara, Japan] this week and a bit of a review from the disappointing result against the All Blacks.

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“Really looking forward to the three Tests over in the UK. It’s going to be tough but it’s something the boys are keen for.”

You may also like: Hooper and Cheika reflect on All Blacks defeat

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Nickers 18 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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