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Brumbies confirm four Wallabies will depart the club at season's end
Brumbies Rugby are set to farewell a special group of players and staff at the end of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, with the club recognising their valuable contribution to the organisation following Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium.
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The cross-capital matchup is the Brumbies final guaranteed home game for 2022, giving the club’s members, fans and key stakeholders an opportunity to celebrate those who will move on from the club at the end of the season.
Head coach Dan McKellar confirmed he would move on to a full-time role with the Wallabies at the end of the 2022 season, with Head Physiotherapist Ed Hollis also departing the club after his third stint at the Brumbies to focus on his role with the national team.
Four senior players will finish up their time with the club, all four having contributed greatly to the Brumbies, becoming standout Super Rugby players and Wallabies.
Scott Sio will depart the Brumbies after 11 seasons with the club. One of the best props of his generation, Sio joins Ben Alexander, Christian Lealiifano and George Smith as the only players to play over 140 games for the club.
Also departing is Tom Banks, the fullback having played 84 times in Brumbies colours to date. Banks moves on from the club having made a lasting impression on the Brumbies family since his debut in 2017, scoring 35 tries, many that will live long in the memory of fans and teammates alike.
Hooker Folau Fainga’a is also set to depart the Brumbies at the end of the season having made 61 appearances since debuting in 2018. Fainga’a will be fondly remembered for both his tenacity around the park, and his exploits as the guiding hand at the back of the Brumbies maul.
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Irae Simone departs having played more than 50 games in Brumbies colours. Simone’s development saw the former Waratahs midfielder become a Wallaby and a key member of the Brumbies attack in his four seasons in Canberra.
Brumbies CEO, Phil Thomson said: “It’s always difficult to see both players and staff depart the club, especially this group who have contributed so well to the Brumbies but it is the nature of professional sport and life that people move on and it’s important to recognise them and to give our members, fans and other key stakeholders the opportunity to farewell those who have served the Brumbies so well.”
“Dan has led and coached the team with the same high level of commitment and passion this season as every other season and the organisation cannot thank him enough for the rugby program he has contributed to and developed in his nine seasons at the club, and we wish him and Ed Hollis who also departs all the best as they shift back to their roles with the Wallabies.
“Scott, Tom, Folau and Irae have all left a lasting impression in their time at the Brumbies, all playing more than 50 games for the club and we thank each of them for their commitment and contribution to the team both on and off the field.
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“It has been a privilege to have Scott as part of the organisation and to see him develop into a leader amongst the group from his time in the Academy to becoming a Wallaby and a world class prop. He will definitely go down as one of the special players in the history of the Brumbies.
“The team and the entire organisation are focused on finishing this season together on a high, starting with Saturday’s quarter-final against the Hurricanes which is a great occasion for our members, fans and key stakeholders to come out to GIO Stadium to support the team for what will be a very exciting and entertaining match.”
-Brumbies/Press Release
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments