Australia playmaker Matt Giteau has signed a two-year contract extension with the Australian Rugby Union until the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

As part of the deal, the 25-year-old has agreed to stay with Super 14 outfit Western Force, but he does have the option to consider offers from other Australian Super 14 sides before the provincial component of his contract kicks in for 2010 and 2011.

After making his Wallabies debut before playing a Super 14 match, Giteau has gone on to play 51 Tests and become one of the national team's senior players.

"I'm still at a relatively young age and feel my best rugby is still ahead of me," Giteau said. "So it's really exciting to secure my future at a time when a few of the long-serving guys like George Gregan and Stephen Larkham have gone and so many new players are coming through.

"The 2011 Rugby World Cup was definitely important in this decision. There was also a feeling that if I do want to play at my best then I need to play in the best competitions.

"Super 14, Tri Nations and the World Cup as a member of the Wallabies fit that bill for me, so it was easy in the end to say that I want to stay in Australia."

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