Ashley-Cooper to join Waratahs

[TRF_Cymro]

Wallabies utility Adam Ashley-Cooper has informed his Brumbies team-mates that he will join the Waratahs next season.

The 27-year-old will head to Sydney on a two-year deal, bringing to an end six years with the Brumbies.

51-cap Test player's future has been the subject of speculation for months but the move is believed to be motivated by a desire to be closer to his family on the Central Coast and his Sydney-based girlfriend.

An official announcement is due later on Tuesday but Brumbies skipper Matt Giteau has already confirmed the news via Twitter, sending his Wallaby team-mate a congratulatory message.

"Well done @AdamCoopy on ur decision!" read Giteau's tweet.

"I knew u were going especially wen I gave u a coffee this morning and u said 'tah' instead of thanks."

Ashley-Cooper has been considering his future since early February but going public with his decision is understood to have been delayed until after the Brumbies-Waratahs clash last Saturday (the Waratahs won 29-22.)

The full-back/centre has 71 Super Rugby for the Brumbies since making his debut for the franchise in 2005.

http://www.planet-rugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16024_6839830,00.html​

 

[Draggs]

Horne just re-signed, didn't he? Tough competition for OC then.
I don't think AAC is a better wing than Mitchell and Turner, nor a better fullback than Beale.

 

[TNT88]

Horne will be very hard to knock off at #13 for the tahs, AAC may have to be the one shifting around. But i'm sure he has thought it all out at length and knows where he is heading.

 

[Draggs]

Horne will be very hard to knock off at #13 for the tahs, AAC may have to be the one shifting around. But i'm sure he has thought it all out at length and knows where he is heading.

He will, he is a good outside back. If AAC continues his form from last year he will be ahead of Horne in 2012. How long is Rob out for? Elbow isn't it?

 

[cyRil]

Tom Carter has been playing pretty well too, I think him and Horne are a great centre partnership.
And then there's Wallaby Ryan Cross too!
AA-C is a world class player but I don't think he'll be strolling into the Tahs backline...

 

[TNT88]

He will, he is a good outside back. If AAC continues his form from last year he will be ahead of Horne in 2012. How long is Rob out for? Elbow isn't it?

Not sure how long exactly he is out for (Should be back in a matter of weeks AFAIK). But Horne is 21 and has been playing with Barnes/Carter/Beale for seasons now. I would be surprised if he is forced to move for AAC.

 

[Shaggy]

Looks like coach Chris Hickey plans to play him at 12 ... http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...in-teststrength-back-line-20110325-1c9wr.html