Former U20s prop completes Brumbies 2019 squad
Today at 9:38 AM Super Rugby
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.”
Fifita 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.
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
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/10...ita-signs-2019
