Former U20s prop completes Brumbies 2019 squad

Mon, Oct 15, 2018, 10:38 PM
AAP
by AAP
Vunipola Fifita has signed with the Brumbies. Photo: Getty Images
Vunipola Fifita has signed with the Brumbies. Photo: Getty Images

The Brumbies have locked in their squad for the 2019 season with young prop Vunipola Fifita the final name on the list.

Sydney prop Fifita showed promise playing for the Junior Wallabies in recent years and followed that up with strong NRC form.

Fifita moved to Canberra to be a part of the Vikings squad and has played every 2018 NRC match, earning a fully-fledged Super Rugby deal.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said he saw plenty of promise in the young gun.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Vunipola Fifita to the Plus500 Brumbies squad,” he said.

“Vunipola has been in good form in the NRC and has shown his ability both at set-piece and in the general play. He brings good physicality on both sides of the ball and has shown potential.

“As a young prop there’s still plenty to learn in what is a demanding position, but we feel he has the tools to succeed at the Super Rugby level and he will be good addition to our front row stocks.”

Scott Sio is on the recovery trail. Photo: Getty ImagesFifita will add to the Brumbies' deep front row stocks, joining Wallabies Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper in the group.

The 21-year-old said he wanted to learn as much as he could from the experienced campaigners around him.

“I am extremely happy to have been given the opportunity to sign for the Brumbies and I am looking forward to linking up with the club for pre-season,” he said.

“The Brumbies are a very well respected club and have a great tradition of bringing through young players and giving them an opportunity.

“There are some outstanding props at the club with loads of Super Rugby experience and I intend to train hard and learn from them all in order to further my professional career.”

Fifita will be part of the Vikings' NRC finals campaign, kicking off this weekend against the Drua in Fiji.

SQUAD

Brumbies 2019 Super Rugby squad

Forwards

Allan Alaalatoa

Rory Arnold

Tom Banks

Sam Carter

Tom Cusack

Murray Douglas

Blake Enever

Folau Fainga’a

Vunipola Fifita

Ben Hyne

Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin

Josh Mann-Rea

Lachlan McCaffrey

Connal McInerney

David Pocock

Tom Ross

Pete Samu

Scott Sio

James Slipper

Darcy Swain

Rob Valetini

Backs

Mack Hansen

Wharenui Hawera

Len Ikitau

Jordan Jackson-Hope

Bayley Kuenzle

Tevita Kuridrani

Christian Lealiifano 

Noah Lolesio

Ryan Lonergan

Matt Lucas

Andrew Muirhead

Chance Peni

Joe Powell

Toni Pulu

Irae Simone

Henry Speight

Lausii Taliauli

Tom Wright

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