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Auckland and ex-NRL star signs contract extension with Brumbies

(Photo by Evan Barnes/Getty Images)

The Brumbies have announced that powerhouse outside back Solomone Kata has re-signed with the club for the 2022 Super Rugby season.

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The 26-year-old became an instant fan favourite after joining in 2020 and made a successful return from injury during the Brumbies Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign last season.

The former NZ Warrior scored 46 tries in the NRL before making the switch back to rugby union, Kata having played the code at the renowned Sacred Heart College in Auckland.

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Kata has returned to Auckland to play in New Zealand’s National Provincial Competition this year before returning to Canberra for preseason training.

“I’m very happy to be staying with the Brumbies,” Kata said.

“Me and my family have settled into Canberra, and the club have supported me really well since making the switch back to rugby.

“2021 was a difficult season with injuries but I was really happy to get some games under my belt towards the end of the season, and I’m excited to get some more minutes with Auckland before getting back to the Brumbies ready to go for 2022.”

Kata’s re-signing will bolster the Brumbies’ back options for 2022, with the majority of the 2021 Super Rugby group confirmed to be returning and fullback Jesse Mogg also returning to club from France.

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Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar said: “We’re thrilled Sol will be back with the team for at least next season.”

“His energy and presence at training has been fantastic since joining us in 2020 and while he had some struggles with injury last season, he made an impact during Super Rugby Trans-Tasman and a few months with Auckland will help him return for preseason with more rugby under his belt.

“We have good options on the wing and in the midfield and including Sol in that mix is great for us, not only for our depth but also for competition for places, so we’re excited about what he can bring for the side again in 2022.”

– Brumbies Rugby

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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