Wycliff Palu and Dean Mumm have ignored overseas offers to re-sign with the Australian Rugby Union and the NSW Waratahs.
Duo commit to Super League side
Wycliff Palu and Dean Mumm have ignored overseas offers to re-sign with the Australian Rugby Union and the NSW Waratahs.
The Wallabies forwards rejected lucrative offers to join Japanese rugby in favour of remaining on home soil.
They take the number of players to recommit this year to 10 and Palu claims the desire to be part of a promising era for Australian rugby was too enticing to turn down.
"I'm a bit like all of the other guys who have re-signed recently," said Palu, who is on the comeback trail from a knee injury that saw him miss the entire 2010 Test season.
"I'm really enjoying my rugby, at both state level and with the Wallabies, and want to keep going with it.
"A lot of work has gone in over the last few years to build the Wallabies up, and you can sense that the team is on the up again and that some good times are ahead.
"It won't be easy but I would like to see where things lead. I'm not alone in feeling that way."
Massive honour
Palu admits the retention of so many of his state and national team-mates, including his good friend Tatafu Polota Nau, was also a factor.
"It did play a part. We can all see the potential that is there, but we are only going to be able to fulfil that if we all stay around and stick together," he said.
"Having been forced to watch for so long while I came back from injury, I'm looking forward to now being able to do my bit."
Mumm, who is one of 28 players to earn their Test cap in the Robbie Deans era after debuting against Ireland in 2008, echoed Palu's sentiments.
"Playing for the Wallabies was a massive honour when I first had the opportunity, and the aspiration to wear the national jersey remains," Mumm said.
"Obviously I started with the Wallabies at a time where there was a fair bit of change going on with a new coach, new ideas and an influx of new personnel but, while there have been a few bumps in terms of our performance, the consistency is coming.
"We saw that through the performances at the back end of the Tri Nations last year, and then on the spring tour.
"Those games; and especially the matches against South Africa in Bloemfontein, New Zealand in Hong Kong and France in Paris are great reference points for us heading into this year.
"They showed what the team is capable of, and also where we might get to if we can keep building on what we have created so far."
