Brumbies dealt injury blow with rookie Kye Oates to miss rest of season

The ACT Brumbies will be without Super Rugby Pacific rookie Kye Oates for the remainder of the season, with the club confirming on Wednesday the outside suffered an ankle injury and has undergone surgery.

Oates, who has previously represented the Australia Sevens side and was part of the First Nations and Pasifika XV squad last July, debuted for the Brumbies in their round four defeat to the Queensland Reds in Canberra.

Coach Stephen Larkham described Oates as a “naturally gifted athlete” after the Brumbies roster for the 2026 season was announced. The 26-year-old has since started in all three appearances for the club, including other fixtures away to the Fijian Drua and at home to the Chiefs.

But the winger will take no further part in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign. In an update on social media, the club confirmed Oates has had surgery after sustaining an injury while playing for the Brumbies Runners last weekend.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ACT Brumbies (@brumbiesrugby)

“The ACT Brumbies can provide the following injury update following last weekend’s Brumbies Runners fixture,” the post reads.

“Outside back Kye Oates has sustained an ankle fracture-dislocation and has undergone immediate surgical repair. He will miss the remainder of he season and is expected to be sidelined for approximately 12 weeks.”

In other Brumbies news, the club confirmed on Thursday that New Zealand-born Australia A representative Ollie Sapsford has re-signed for two more years, with an option for a third. That would see the utility back remain in Australia’s captain through to the end of 2029.

The New Zealander, who has started in both the centres and outside backs during his 58 appearances for the Brumbies, has become an “incredibly valuable” member of the roster since making the move across the Tasman before the 2022 season.

“Ollie’s been outstanding for us. He’s really grown into a leader within the group, so it’s great to have him staying on,” coach Larkham explained.

“He’s moved around a bit in the backline, but no matter where he’s played, he’s delivered. That kind of versatility is incredibly valuable across a long season.”

Brumbies Director of Performance Cameron Treloar added: “Ollie’s developed into a key leader within our program, and that’s something we place a lot of value on. We’re building a squad around players who drive standards and set the example for those coming through.

“Securing him is a big result for us. His experience and influence, both on and off the field, are critical as we continue to push this group forward.”

The Brumbies are third on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after seven rounds, boasting a 4-3 record that includes a win over defending champions the Crusaders in Christchurch, and beating both the Blues and Chiefs in Canberra.

But the Canberra-based outfit will look to bounce back following their bye this week, having fallen to arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs 28-30 in a thriller last time out. Second-rower Lachlan Shaw recorded his first career double as the round seven Australian derby came down to the wire.

But the accurate goal-kicking boot of Sid Harvey, who is the Super Rugby Pacific Rookie of the Year front-runner after seven rounds, gave the visitors a nine-point advantage with less than 10 minutes remaining.