Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga’a says a sense of having a home away from home convinced him to lock in a new three-year extension with the ACT club.
Fainga’a, who is originally from Sydney, was contracted until the end of the 2020 season but opted to ink an extension before preseason even fully began, announcing the new deal last month.
Speaking to media on Monday for the first time since inking the extension, Fainga’a said it wasn’t exactly an easy decision but he knew it was the right choice.
“All my family's in Sydney so to lock myself in here until 2022 by myself wasn’t easy..but the Brumbies are my family away from my family back in Sydney.
“The group here - they make it easier for me and coaching staff as well with Dan (McKellar), Lord (Laurie Fisher) and Hewy (Pete Hewat), we've got great staff around and support as well.
“The players and the leadership around me as well...help me around my rugby and focus.”
The 24-year-old has been in Canberra for just two seasons but it has been a whirlwind for the former Sydney Uni no. 2, having quickly become a Test squad regular.
As he prepares for his third Super Rugby year, Fainga’a admits he still finds it hard to believe how far he’s come.
“Two years ago I was working on a construction site and now I get to do the dream job hat I've dreamed of,” he said.
Last season was a particularly special one for Fainga’a, who was part of the Rugby World Cup squad, but he said he’d barely had time to pause and reflect on the year that had passed.
“The year's just gone fast and in the blink of an eye you're at the end of the season and you're ready to rip into a new one so no I haven't really (reflected), everything's come around so quick,” he said.
“The vibe there (at the Rugby World Cup), the experience, especially for myself, I keep pinching myself, I didn't think I was going to be in that squad.
“I was still really new to the international stage but to have guys like Tolu (Latu) and Jordan (Uelese) around me it helped me go through the World Cup stage, it was awesome.”
Fainga’a was one of the first Wallabies back at training in the 2020 preseason, working with his Brumbies teammates last week, before the bulk of the World Cup squad returned on Monday.
A December return for Wallabies players is somewhat unusual but with the season kicking off on January 31, the Test group is certainly a handy addition.
Fainga’a could have the chance to move up the Wallabies pecking order with another strong Super Rugby season after the departure of first-choice hooker Latu (Stade Francais).
The Brumbies no. 2 was rotated in and out of the Test side this season with former coach Michael Cheika preferring Latu and Jordan Uelese in his matchday squads but the race will be wide open in 2020.
Fainga’a said he felt there was definitely an opportunity in Super Rugby for him to try and push his case but was quick to acknowledge the competition across all four Australian teams.
“100 per cent,” he said.
“You've still got world-class hookers in Australia, guys like Jordan (Uelese), (Anaru) Rangi, Brandon (Paenga-Amosa) and Alex Mafi up in Queensland and myself here with Connal (McInerney) and young (Lachlan) Lonergan and young Billy (Porter) coming through the system as well.
“Australia's in very good hands with hookers and competition's healthy.”
The Brumbies take on the Rebels in their only preseason match in Albury on Thursday January 23, 2020.
