Wallabies and Queensland Reds lock Rob Simmons will remain in Australia until the end of 2013, after re-signing for a further two years.

The 22-year old is the first player to re-sign with Australian Rugby Union in 2012 and follows 22 of his teammates who re-committed 2011.

A product of Theodore in country Queensland, Simmons first appeared for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby during the 2009 season, before making his maiden start in that competition the following year.

Then 2010 also saw the second row forward step into the international arena, firstly for the Australian Barbarians during the two-match midweek series against England, and then for the Wallabies in that year's Tri-Nations series.

Simmons made his Test debut on his home ground, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, during Australia's 30-13 win over against South Africa.

He has subsequently cemented his place as a regular member of the Wallabies squad securing 16 Test caps as well as a run on appearance against the Barbarians during Australia's recent year-end tour of Europe.

Simmons played in 10 of the Wallabies 13 Tests last year and was part of the 22-man squad that defeated the All Blacks in Brisbane to claim Australia's first Tri-Nations title in 10-years.

Wallabies coach, Robbie Deans, said he was pleased Simmons had decided to recommit to Australian Rugby for another two years.

"It is encouraging to have a guy like Rob recommit to Queensland and Australian Rugby for another two years," Deans said.

"Players always have choice. Rob is a player who has a big future and is working hard towards that so it's pleasing he sees his future playing in Australia taking the game here forward.

"The fact that we have been able to keep our core group of Wallabies together is a positive sign for the direction the team is headed in, and the players' commitment to that."

Simmons, who featured in six of the Wallabies' seven World Cup games last year, said he was excited at what the future held for him in Australia.

"The last two years have been great, being a part of the Wallabies, and I am really looking forward to the challenges of the next two years," Simmons said.

"My focus is currently on the Reds and starting the Super Rugby season off on the right foot, but I am also very keen to get back in the Gold jersey and represent my country again.

"When I look at the other players that have re-signed in the last 12-months and what we achieved last year I think there is opportunity for us to enjoy some more success in the coming years and I am very keen to be a part of and contribute to that success.

* Meanwhile talented lock Adam Wallace-Harrison has also re-signed with Queensland Rugby in a major boost for the team ahead of their 2012 Super Rugby campaign.
 
Wallace-Harrison will remain with the Queensland Reds until at least the end of 2014.
 
Simmons and Wallace-Harrison were integral members of the Reds squad during their 2011 Super Rugby triumph.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said he was pleased to lock away two of the team's key set-piece specialists with both expected to feature heavily in the Reds pursuit of back-to-back Super Rugby titles.
 
"Both Rob and Adam excel in their work at line-outs but are also very talented attackers and defenders who possess a strong understanding of how to play the game," McKenzie said.
 
"Our goal is to be attacking with the ball but you've got to win the ball before you can use it and denying the opposition possession is just as critical. They've both consistently shown the ability to shine in both those areas."

Theodore-born Simmons was one of just six players to appear in every match during the Reds historic Super Rugby success last season, growing into the role of the team's line-out general and signal caller.

His efforts were recognised by the Wallabies as the two-metre lock was selected for the World Cup and in their biggest encounter of the tournament, a brutal semifinal contest against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
 
Simmons made his Reds debut off the bench against the Bulls in Pretoria at the beginning of 2009 before earning his maiden Test cap for Australia in Brisbane against South Africa in July, 2010.
 
"Rob has developed nicely at the Reds and his progression to the national level, where he has been getting some regular football, is good reward for the way he applies himself to the game. He has a long career ahead of him," McKenzie said.
 
"He has featured for us quite heavily since making his debut and his responsibilities within the team and the organisation have increased. He is really developing well physically and experience will continue to make him a better player, so it's great he has agreed to stay on."
 
Wallace-Harrison returned to Queensland for his second career stint with the Reds in 2011 and was an important part of their championship success, where he featured in 16 of their 18 games.
 
A strong impact-player and late game match-winner from the bench, Wallace-Harrison made his 50th Super Rugby appearance last year where he consistently proved to be a major difference maker late in matches with his expert line-out jumping, combined with his all-round play, an important piece of the Reds puzzle.
 
"Wal was a good signing for us last year and, being a previous Super Rugby and National player, brought a lot of experience to the squad," McKenzie said.

"He played off the bench for us a lot and influenced a lot of match results through his game changing actions, but I'm sure he doesn't just have ambitions to just be a bench player, he will have ambitions to start. Wal is a very intelligent guy and an astute line-out organiser, and you can't have enough smart guys at set-piece.
 
"He has looked good during the preseason physically, is motivated and he is a very professional operator."
 
Wallace-Harrison initially made his debut for the Reds in 2003 only to have it cut short by a serious knee injury suffered just seconds into his first capped match against the Crusaders at Ballymore.
 
That limited his opportunities in 2004 and saw him move to the Brumbies in 2005, where he became a Wallabies tourist without winning a Test cap. He also won Australia A recognition in 2005 and 2007.
 
Wallace-Harrison remained with the Brumbies, where he played at lock and blindside flanker, until he headed to Japan following the 2008 Super Rugby season.