Anne Fernández de Corres: 'I wanted to expose myself to something new'

Spain’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign may not have gone as the players had planned, but for Anne Fernández de Corres it provided the moment her life would change again.

After delivering several strong performances for Spain’s Las Leonas on the grandest stage of them all, the scrum-half found a special message on her phone one month after the conclusion of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

The message? An invitation to join the Brumbies. The Canberra franchise caught their interest in Fernandéz de Corres across the tournament and saw her as a superb asset for the upcoming season.

However, that would mean a monumental life change decision for her, with the scrum-half given just a few weeks to make a decision.

“I had to think for a while, as it would be quite the paradigm shift for me, but I ended up taking the leap, as I wanted to expose myself to something new,” the 27-year-old told RugbyPass.

For the experienced sevens legend and XVs superstar, the decision was, ultimately, an easy one to make.

“I had four months to review the proposal, reflect upon it, make the decision and board the plane. It wasn’t easy leaving everything behind, especially my sevens teammates.

“I thought I was betraying them, but I always dreamt of playing in Australia and in Super Rugby. My teammates assured me that I wasn’t betraying anyone and that I had to go.”

Fernandéz de Corres packed her bags, said her goodbyes and departed for Canberra, which for her was like the unknown. Like an astronaut discovering a new world in a science fiction movie, she was about to discover a whole new world, which was not an easy task at first.

“The first days were rough—not because of my new teammates or staff, but because of myself,” the Spanish international revealed.

“I am not a shy person, but it was a completely strange world to me. I remember going back to my home after the first practice and crying, and saying, ‘I want to go home. What am I even doing here?’ Thankfully, I have conquered those fears, and now I am all smiles!”

In the Brumbies set-up, she has found a new reality that she wasn’t used to, as the overall conditions and resources have far surpassed her initial expectations.

“The infrastructure and conditions we have at our disposal are something I have rarely had a chance to experience at the club level. Like it wasn’t easy to adapt to everything, as it is a new culture, new country, etcetera – but the rugby conditions and my mates and staff are making it easier for me to adjust.”

After going through her first XVs preseason in a long time, Fernandéz de Corres was picked as the starting No.9 for the Brumbies warm-up match against the Reds.

Although the fixture didn’t go as planned, Fernandéz de Corres thought the team came out of the game with some positives.

“Our first preseason game was exactly like that sporting saying: a game of two halves. We did very well in the opening half, but then conceded several points in the second half. However, it was a great experience for us, as we understood where we are as a team and where we can still go.”

With the Super Rugby Women’s 2026 season about to begin, the scrum-half has already lined up some personal and team goals for the next three/four months.

“I am a very down-to-earth person, so my goals are to make my Super Rugby debut and enjoy that experience. However, I also have another more ambitious objective: to be the competition’s best scrum half! I want to help the Brumbies qualify for the semi-finals and fight for the chance to win the cup.”

And if things go well, would the skilled Spanish half-back extend her stay if the Canberra franchise made another proposal?

“For the moment, my contract with the Brumbies lasts until August. After it, I will stay for a couple of weeks more to do a bit of sightseeing, and then I will go back to Spain, as I want to get involved with Las Leonas setup ahead of the WXV.”

But will she actually say no if she gets another chance to play in Super Rugby?

“I have tried not to think about that scenario, not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t know what my decision will be,” she said. “I am loving living in Canberra and playing for such a big team as the Brumbies. At the same time, I miss my family, friends and teammates. But, if I get a call to extend my stay, I can’t say what my reaction will be.”

For Fernandéz de Corres this adventure on Australian shores isn’t about enjoying the life of a professional rugby player or having the chance to tick a box on her bucket list, but to have the chance to expand her horizons and become a better player.

“By leaving my comfort zone, I have experienced some growth and self-development,” the 38-cap Spanish international said. “The way that Australian players work has helped me a lot, as they are far more talkative in training than I had experienced in Spain.

“They are always giving input and demanding that each one of us be aware of what we are doing at every second and minute.”

Uncovering new tactics and strategies, better understanding her role, and adapting to different opposition have been at the centre of her decision to move to Australia. With Fernández de Corres sharing a new skill she has unlocked since joining the Brumbies.

“For example, the staff wants me to take a few steps backwards when we are on defence, to handle the team and adjust the line. While it isn’t something completely new to me, it has pushed me to leave my comfort zone and learn to adapt.”

As for the contrast between Spain and Australia, the Las Leonas scrum-half easily identifies an aspect that highlights the difference between the players of both countries.

“The physicality. While back home we tend to focus on our pace, sprint and agility, here there’s a combo of being physically powerful and making their handling ability pay off.”

Speaking about her nation and rugby community, does she miss her community, teammates and rugby family?

“Of course, I miss my Spanish teammates, especially because I am so used to playing by their side and enjoying their friendship and camaraderie. I have been following the sevens and XVs teams closely and supporting them from Australia.”

While she prefers to focus on the present rather than look too far ahead, Fernández de Corres has major goals she hopes to achieve over the next four years with Las Leonas.

“That’s the long-term goal. Playing in another World Cup is something I envision since our campaign for the 2025 edition ended. I also would like to help Spain Sevens reach the Summer Olympics, and I am going to do everything I can for us to achieve those two goals.”

And when it comes to experiencing firsts, the scrum-half reveals a moment that will forever be etched in her memory… for better or for worse!

“Oh, I ate a spectacular dummy in my first training session. I didn’t see it coming, and I completely lost track of where the ball was! And it had to happen right in my first practice. But, I pulled more than a few dummies afterwards, so everything is back in its place!”

With the 2026 edition of Super Rugby Women’s starts for the Brumbies on Sunday 7 June, Fernandéz de Corres is up and ready for what lies ahead, looking forward to becoming a member of the Brumbies herd.

“I’m still in utter disbelief that I am here and that I am going to play in Super Rugby for the Brumbies. This is something that I had placed in the ‘dreams cupboard’, and I never really believed that I would get this chance.

“But thanks to Spain and the World Cup, I was scouted and earned the opportunity to get here.”