George Gregan, who captained Australia in last month's World Cup final defeat by England, will continue playing for the Wallabies next year.
The 30-year-old, rugby union's most-capped scrumhalf, has signed a one-year contract to play for the Wallabies and Super 12 side the ACT Brumbies in 2004, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) confirmed in a statement.
Gregan has played 95 tests, six short of the national record of 101 held by former World Cup-winning winger David Campese.
Heavily criticised by local media during Australia's inconsistent displays before the World Cup, Gregan led his side to a 20-17 extra-time defeat in the final at Sydney's Olympic Stadium in November.
"This decision was always going to be made after the World Cup," Gregan said in the statement. "I'm very happy to play another year and look forward to making my best possible contribution," added Gregan, who played under captain John Eales in the 1999 World Cup-winning side.
The scrumhalf refused to be drawn on his playing future in recent months. ARU high performance manager Brett Robinson said: "George has achieved so much both on and off the field, and his form during the World Cup showed that he is still one of the best scrum-halves in world rugby.
"There are some players who would feel there is nothing more to achieve after captaining their country in a World Cup but George is a very motivated guy who loves his rugby, so it is great to have him back for 2004."
The Wallabies are set to host Scotland for two tests and world champions England once in the middle of next year. Australia will also play New Zealand and South Africa in home and away tests next July and August as part of the annual Tri-nations series.