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Brumbies bolster front row stocks

Cape Town - The Brumbies have announced the signing of promising hooker Folau Fainga’a on an Extended Playing Squad, one-year deal.

Fainga’a, who is no relation to former Brumbies trio Anthony, Saia and Colby, will team up with the Brumbies from his Sydney base where he has been impressing talent scouts with a string of fine performances.

Born in Paddington, New South Wales, Fainga’a was a member of the Australian Under-20 team in 2015 and played for both the Sydney Stars and the NSW Country Eagles in the National Rugby Championships as well as starring for Sydney University in the Shute Shield.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Folau to the Brumbies and monitoring his progress as we feel he is a genuine talent with a lot to offer at the senior level,” Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar commented.

“Folau is a former Australian Under-20 hooker and his point of difference for me is that he is a dynamic and powerful player.

“He is a good size for a hooker and possess all of the core skills you would expect from a specialist in that position. He can tackle well and is a good exponent of the maul and the set-piece.

“Folau is a very promising young player and we believe that he is a good appointment with an eye on the future.”

Fainga’a was happy to be given the chance to show his quality at the Brumbies.

“I would like to thank the Brumbies for giving me this opportunity to be part of the squad for the 2018 season and stake a claim for a full-time Super Rugby contract,” Fainga’a commented.

“The Brumbies have some terrific players and I have been told that the back-room staff at the club are second to none. In Robbie Abel and Josh Mann-Rea we have two vastly experienced hookers from whom I hope to learn a lot.

“I am making the move to Canberra to try and get a foot-hold in the professional game. I am under no illusions that the task ahead of me is going to be a challenge but I am ready and determined to put in the hard work that will help me improve my game.

“Canberra is a lovely city and I am looking forward to becoming part of the Brumbies family for the next year.”

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