Australia
Mogg rejects AFL rumours
ESPN Staff
January 13, 2014
Stephen Larkham believes Mogg has all the skills to make it as an AFL player © Getty Images
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An afternoon at kicking training painted Jesse Mogg as the newest code-hopper with speculation emerging that he would be making a move to AFL, but chasing the Wallabies dream will keep the ACT Brumbies star in rugby union.

Rumours emerged on Friday that Mogg was getting ready to switch codes after joining the Brisbane Lions for kicking training last month. The Brumbies organised the session with Brisbane while Mogg was visiting family in Queensland to help the Test fullback's rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.

Mogg and the Brumbies were stunned when he was linked to a cross-code conversion, despite coach Stephen Larkham admitting the 24-year-old had ''all the skills'' to be an AFL star. Mogg has one of the longest kicks in Super Rugby and his booming left boot, speed and agility would make him attractive to AFL suitors.

''He's got a massive and accurate boot … he'd be an excellent AFL player but I don't want to talk him up too much,'' Larkham told Rugby Heaven. ''We got Moggy back in kicking in December and we didn't want it to drop away over the holiday break. We teed up a few opportunities for him to kick in Brisbane and he enjoyed it. And from all reports, they were pretty impressed. Moggy's had a couple of good years. I think he's still chasing the Wallabies dream.''

The former Brisbane Broncos under-20s player was plucked from Canberra club rugby two years ago and made his Test debut for the Wallabies in June last year. Mogg is one of five Wallabies who will be chasing new deals, and Larkham has started negotiations to keep his stars in Canberra.

''Moggy's had a really good season … I think he's had a couple of good years and he wants to get back to the Wallabies,'' Larkham said.

Wallabies Mogg, Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano, Scott Fardy and Scott Sio, as well as Henry Speight, Fotu Auelua and Andrew Smith, are off contract at the end of the season.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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