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Brumbies sign former two-test Wallabies back Chris Feauai-Sautia

(Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP /AFP via Getty Images)

The Brumbies have signed injury-prone former Reds back Chris Feauai-Sautia ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.

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A schoolboy prodigy, Feauai-Sautia’s rugby career with Queensland was curtailed by injury leading the Reds to cut him at the end of 2020.

He managed 81 appearances with Queensland over nine years and two tests with the Wallabies and when fit was viewed as a genuine game-breaker.

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Now 27, Feauai-Sautia was signed to a full contract by then Reds coach Ewen McKenzie while he was still at school at Brisbane State High in 2011.

Comfortable on the wing and in the midfield, Feauai-Sautia joins the Brumbies after a season playing in France with Oyonnax.

“I’m really excited to be here in Canberra with the Brumbies,” Feauai-Sautia said.

“I’ve had some epic battles with the Brumbies playing for the Reds and I’ve always had great respect for the club so it will be awesome to wear the colours and do my best to add to a team that has been building over the last couple of years.

“The club definitely has a reputation for getting the best out of players and working hard, and at this point in my career, I feel like this is the perfect place for me to be.”

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Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said Feauai-Sautia would add welcome depth to the backline stocks.

“At his very best, Chris has been as threatening a player you will come across in Super Rugby and we believe he can get back to those heights in our program,” McKellar said.

“Heading into a new competition where we’re going to be tested every week, it’s important we have depth across the board and with Chris’ experience, it gives us another quality option.”

Brumbies 2021-22 transfers

In: Jesse Mogg (Pau), Chris Feauaia-Sautia (Oyonnax), Rod Iona (Tuggernong Vikings), Hudson Creighton (Reds), Ed Kennedy (Scalrets)

Out: Mack Hansen (Connacht), Issak Fines-Leleiwasa (Western Force), Bayley Kuenzle (Western Force), Reesjan Pasitoa (Western Force), Reece Tapine (Western Force), Tom Cusack (retired), Harry Lloyd (Western Force), Archer Holz (Waratahs)

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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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