Brumbies retain hooker Folau Fainga’a

Promising Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga’a has committed to the club for a further two years after putting pen to paper on a new contract.

The youngster, who burst onto the Super Rugby scene with a lively cameo from the bench during the Round 3 match with the Rebels in Melbourne, made his first start in the 24-17 home win over the Sharks at GIO Stadium.

Formerly with Sydney University, and an Australian U20 and Schoolboy representative, Folau has played for the Sydney Stars, NSW Country Eagles in the National Rugby Championship and enjoyed a standout 2017 in that competition with the Canberra Vikings.

“We are delighted that Folau has signed a two-year contract with the club,” Plus500 Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar commented.

“He brings great energy, is very dynamic in both attack and defence and his set piece game is developing nicely. Folau was a standout player in the NRC with the Vikings last season and he has produced that form in his first few games of Super Rugby on the back of an excellent pre-season.

“Folau has impressed in his short time at the club, he has quickly become a popular member of the group and it is pleasing to see him take the opportunities he has been given. If he continues to work hard on all areas of his game I am confident he has a long career ahead of him at Super Rugby Level.”

For Folau the new contract increases his chances of progressing up the Super Rugby ladder and, eventually, to push for full international honours.

“I am very happy to have committed myself to the Brumbies and am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” Fainga’a said.

“It’s been tremendous so far and I have really enjoyed my time with the Brumbies since coming to the club in pre-season. It’s a fantastic group of players and staff to work with and in Robbie Abel and Josh Mann-Rea we have two experienced hookers who I can learn from.

“The Brumbies is a special club to play for and I have been made to feel so welcome to Canberra by everyone involved and, in particular, the loyal Brumbies supporters. I look forward to an exciting future.”

The Brumbies are next in action this Saturday evening when they take on the Reds at GIO Stadium. The match will be preceded by the Buildcorp Super W fixture between the Brumbies Women and Western Australia as part of the club’s ‘Celebrating Women in Rugby’ round.