Alexander sticks with Brumbies

Sydney - Experienced front-rower Ben Alexander on Wednesday opted not to pursue an overseas contract and instead stay with the Brumbies as he seeks to prolong his Wallabies career.

The 30-year-old, Australia's joint most capped prop with 72 appearances alongside Benn Robinson, signed a new one-year contract extension through to the end of 2016.

Under the Australian Rugby Union's new eligibility rules, he could have headed abroad on a lucrative deal and still been available for national selection, but he chose to remain on home soil.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunities rugby has given me in this country and when I weighed everything up in deciding my future, it became quite clear that this is where I want to be," he said.

"Representing the Wallabies and the Brumbies is something I'm very passionate about, and I feel both teams are trending in the right direction to have plenty of success over the next few years."

In April, the ARU relaxed its eligibility criteria to allow senior players - those with at least 60 Australian caps - at overseas clubs to represent the Wallabies after facing a mass exodus of stars following this year's World Cup.

Before this, players based abroad were unable to represent their country.