The Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies have today announced the signing of forward Tuaina Taii Tualima to a two-year deal for the 2025 and 2026 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The versatile forward who is capable of playing at lock and flanker has made 34 Super Rugby Pacific appearances, spending time with the Queensland Reds and more recently, the Melbourne Rebels.
Coming through the Australian rugby ranks, the Brisbane State High School alumni featured for the Queensland and Australian Schoolboys representative sides, before being selected for Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship (NRC).
Tualima was rewarded for his NRC performances with a Super Rugby contract with the Queensland Reds for the 2020 season. He would later make his debut in the same year with a 32-26 win over the NSW Waratahs. The forward would go on to make twelve appearances for the Reds, including the 2020 Super Rugby AU Final against the Brumbies.
In 2023, Tualima made the move south to the Melbourne Rebels on a 2-year contract. He earned 22 caps across two seasons, including appearing for the Melbourne outfit in every 2023 Super Rugby Pacific fixture.
A strong ball carrier with the ability to offload in strong contact, Tualima says he’s excited for the new chapter in his career and looks forward to the move to the Capital.
“I'm thrilled to join the Brumbies, it is a club which has a proud rugby history,” said Tualima.
"The Club has produced so many high calibre players, so I'm pretty excited to connect with the staff and playing group and further my knowledge and skillset."
ACT Brumbies Head Coach, Stephen Larkham, says the franchise is pleased with Tualima's signing.
“I look forward to welcoming Tuaina in the lead up to our preseason for our 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign,” said Larkham.
"He is a seasoned professional who has spent several seasons in Super Rugby and I’m very happy to have someone of his experience join our playing ranks."
Larkham added, “I know our Members and fanbase will make him feel at home once he arrives to Canberra to join the Club.”
