Australian Rugby
Baxter resolves to stay in Australia
Scrum.com
April 28, 2009
Al Baxter, the NSW Waratahs and Australia prop, July 5 2008
Wallaby prop Al Baxter looks set to stay in Australia © Getty Images
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Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has reportedly persuaded Waratahs prop Al Baxter to shun the advances of several European clubs in order to re-sign with the Australian Rugby Union. Reports recently surfaced of a breakdown in negotiations between Baxter and Australian chiefs, but a one-on-one conversation with Deans has apparently appeased the 64-times capped front-rower.

Baxter is set to make his return for the Waratahs against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday, having spent some time on the sidelines with a calf strain. His experience is now looking crucial in reviving a flagging season for the Waratahs, who are currently in seventh place and require three big wins to secure an unlikely Super 14 semi-final.

"With great relief to myself and my family I was able to agree on terms with the ARU literally hours before we left to South Africa. Nothing is 100 per cent settled but it is very, very close," Baxter told Rugby Heaven. "I looked closely at the overseas stuff, there were attractive overseas offers in attractive places.

"It is one of the things where you do speak to guys like [former Waratahs players] Matt Burke, Rocky Elsom and David Lyons about their experiences over there and they all love it. I had the one long chat to Robbie which was really good. I worked out a few issues and resolved a couple of things."

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