The following from the Wallabies camp: Qantas Wallabies backrower Wycliff Palu has turned his back on significant offers from overseas to re-sign with Australian Rugby for a further two years.

An early leader in the race for the 2010 John Eales Medal after polling the most votes on the Qantas Wallabies’ tour to Europe last November, Palu said being part of Australia’s Rugby World Cup campaign next year was too irresistible to give up.

“I like the way this Wallabies team is moving forward under (coach) Robbie Deans,” Palu said today before flying out for New Zealand where the NSW Waratahs will play the Crusaders in a Super 14 match tomorrow.

It had a big influence on my decision to stay in Australia. I definitely want to play at the World Cup next year because I think we’re a real chance. If I didn’t believe that I probably would have left.

But the World Cup is massive, and when I look back on my career one day I want to do it with no regrets. If I went overseas at the end of this year it might have been something I ended up regretting.”

Palu, who will also stay with the Waratahs until the end of the 2012 season, said he was equally excited by the looming changes in Super Rugby next year.

“These are exciting times for Aussie Rugby,” he said.

“There is a new team setting up in Melbourne, the competition is expanding, and it’s going to be better for the game in this country for sure,” he added.

“It’s also good that some of our teams are really playing well in Super 14 this year. It shows Australian Rugby is definitely heading in the right direction.”