Wallaby veteran Stephen Moore says there has been no tension between Waratahs and Brumbies players at national team camp

FEAR of tension lingering between Waratahs and Brumbies players after last week’s homophobic slur saga was unfounded at a harmonious Wallabies camp, according to senior Test star Stephen Moore.

Wallaby hooker Stephen Moore

FEAR of tension lingering between Waratahs and Brumbies players after last week’s homophobic slur saga was unfounded at a harmonious Wallabies camp, according to senior Test star Stephen Moore.

Moore hosed down talk of any division between ACT and NSW players yesterday as he also endorsed the unusual but constructive mid-season Wallabies camp, which wound up in Brisbane after three days.

“To be honest, it is something we should have been doing years ago,” Moore said. “It has been extremely helpful.”

Under coach Michael Cheika and assistants Stephen Larkham and Nathan Grey, 51 players from all five provinces gathered to turn their minds towards the World Cup.

There had been speculation frost-clearing could be required between Brumbies and Waratahs players in the wake of Jacques Potgieter being fined $20,000 for using homophobic insults during a feisty derby clash two weeks ago.

Amid suggestion the actions of Brumbies forward David Pocock in highlighting the slurs on-field had served to fuel historic tension between Brumbies and NSW camps, Tahs skipper Dave Dennis said last week he’d seek a quiet chat to Pocock and Moore to clear the air.

In the end, that wasn’t even necessary, said Moore.

“There was no need, everyone got on really well. We all spent a lot of time together as a squad and I was really happy with how it went,” Moore said.

“That came back to, I think, the fact it was put to bed very well by the ARU and the Waratahs last week and it was a good outcome. There was no ill-feeling at all.”

Waratahs star Kurtley Beale (left) has a physical disagreement with Brumbies star David Pocock.

Though a tricky logistical exercise, Moore sang the praises of Cheika’s mid-season “workshop”. There was no physical training but players enjoyed getting a chance to begin mentally preparing for the World Cup.

“It was really beneficial,” he said. “In the past some preparations have felt a bit rushed, you focus on Super Rugby all season and then you get together before the Tests and it all starts from there.

“This was a good chance to get together and talk about our goals are as a team, identify who we are and what we stand for as a team, work on our culture and identity.

“It was a very inclusive thing. Everyone had a good chance to have input there.”

The fact the camp happened at all is a positive sign Australian rugby has made progress on breaking down once-crippling divisions between states and the ARU.

Most sides bar the Waratahs (who have a bye) agreed to shortened game preparation for this weekend’s Super Rugby to send players away to the Brisbane pow-wow.

The Brumbies will train for the first time as a side today ahead of their clash with the Cheetahs at home on Saturday.

“It’s a credit to Cheik and all teams that it came together,” said Moore.

“We’d planned ahead and given we had a bye last weekend, we trained as a team on Friday and did a bit of stuff as a Brumbies group yesterday (Monday) as well up in Brisbane.

“I am confident the guys will adapt without too much of a problem. Sometimes a bit of change in routine isn’t such a bad thing.”

James Dargaville or Nigel Ah Wong shape as the candidates to replace Tevita Kuridrani as the Brumbies no. 13.

Originally published as Wallaby veteran Stephen Moore says there has been no tension between Waratahs and Brumbies players at national team camp