Stephen Moore

Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore is preparing for the second leg of the 2008 Tri Nations Series against New Zealand on Saturday night. Moore, who will join the CA Brumbies for 2009 from the Queensland Reds, was part of the Australian side that defeated the Springboks 16-9 in Perth last Saturday. Brumby Jack caught up with Moore in Wallabies camp in the lead-up to Saturday night’s Test at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

Brumby Jack: What was your attraction to the CA Brumbies?
Stephen Moore: I think it was about the opportunity to go down there and further my rugby. There’s a very proud history down there and a tradition of being successful and it’s something that I’m keen to be a part of.

BJ: Is it going to be tough leaving Queensland having played there for an extensive period of time?
SM: Yeah definitely, it was always going to be a tough decision to make after growing up there and playing with the Reds. But that decision has been made now and I’m very comfortable with it and I’m really looking forward to getting down to Canberra.

BJ: Have you spoken much to CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend?
SM: I spoke to him a little bit when I was doing my negotiations and I’d only met him briefly a few times before that. He’s been very positive, he wants to play a very attacking style of rugby down there and that’s something I’m very excited about being part of.

BJ: How important was last week’s win over the Springboks for the Wallabies?
SM: It was important that we started the Tri Nations with a win as it’s a tournament that we really want to win. To start with a win certainly gives the team confidence going into this week. We know it will be tough playing the All Blacks… it always is.

BJ: Is it easier getting up for a Bledisloe Cup match than it is for other matches?
SM: Yeah definitely, particularly as there hasn’t been one in Sydney for a while. Hopefully we’ll have a full house at ANZ Stadium and, as you said, they’re the occasions you really want to be a part of and they’re the games you really want to play in. It’s a big occasion and something that we’re all really looking forward to.