Hoiles says now or never for Brumbies - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Hoiles says now or never for Brumbies

By Melissa Woods 09/08/2010 03:32:22 PM Comments (0)

Brumbies skipper Stephen Hoiles says his current side's window to win the Super rugby crown is likely to remain open only for another year.

Hoiles announced on Monday he had turned his back on a lucrative offer from Melbourne and re-signed with the ACT-based side until the end of 2012.

The 28-year-old backrower, who has played 16 Tests for the Wallabies, said his desire for Super success with the current Brumbies line-up contributed heavily to his decision.

But Hoiles felt they only had a limited time because the present group was likely to be broken up after next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

"I think this group knows we under-achieved this year and next year's probably our last as a group together to do something special," said Hoiles, who took over the captaincy last year from Stirling Mortlock and was recognised for a stellar 2010 season as winner of the team's Best Forward Award.

"We've got at least 12 months before you'd assume a fair few would probably go, it tends to happen in Australian rugby post world cup, a lot of players tend to go overseas.

He said the offer from new side Melbourne was "exciting" but couldn't trump the more likely prospect of success with the Brumbies.

"That's the main reason I wanted to stick around, you can't put a price on playing in winning teams.

"If I was to sit back next year abroad or somewhere else and watch them have success ... you'd always be so disappointed in the decision you made to leave at a time like this."

With six teams making the finals in the expanded Super 15 set-up, he expects at least a play-off berth.

"And from there anything can happen ... we've got the side on paper."

Hoiles was forced out of this year's Wallabies squad with an Achilles injury and, following surgery, is still five weeks away from returning to club rugby.

He remained hopeful of a recall for this year's tour to the UK and then the World Cup.

"The World Cup is certainly a big thing for everyone playing in Australia next year," he said.

"You never give up on playing for your country and I know that playing in Canberra gives me the best opportunity to do that."

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