Fiji Sun

Brumbies re-sign 7 reps before Drua clash

- –rugby.com.au

Ahead of the club’s clash against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua this Friday, the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies are set to confirm seven senior squad players have resigned with the club.

With one game left before the bye, head coach Stephen Larkham’s has confirmed 31 players have been retained past the 2023 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific season.

Of the seven players to be confirmed via the club’s official social media channels, six have featured in Larkham’s matchday selections this season, with four players having graduated through the Brumbies pathways programme.

Captain Allan Alaalatoa and fellow Wallabies; backrower Rob Valetini, centre Len Ikitau, lock Nick Frost, hooker Lachlan Lonergan, halfback Ryan Lonergan have previously committed their future to Australian rugby.

ACT Brumbies general manager profession­al rugby and pathways, Chris Thomson said: “Off the back of a good start to the 2023 season, it’s fantastic for us to have clarity on what our squad will look like in the short, medium and long term.” “It’s particular­ly rare to be in this position in a World Cup year, and we’re having positive conversati­ons with current members of the squad to add to our developmen­t players who will join the senior squad in 2024.

“As always, we’re now focusing on identifyin­g the right talent to join our pathways programme. “This is to ensure we are replenishi­ng the squad with players who have developed in our programme and know what’s required if and when they earn an opportunit­y in that senior group.”

Continuity

ACT Brumbies head coach, Stephen Larkham said: “Continuity is critical for us as a team, so we’re thrilled to be able to retain these seven players in our squad for 2024 and beyond.”

“We’ve built a good base for this season, and the seasons to come and if you look at our roster, there’s still a lot of growth to come.

“And our job as a collective will be to continue to make the Brumbies a place where players want to be because they know they can take their career to the next level.”

The match kicks-off at 9.35pm.

 ?? Photo: ACT Brumbies ?? Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies players with the Rod Macqueen Cup after their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific win over Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, on April 8, 2023.
Photo: ACT Brumbies Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies players with the Rod Macqueen Cup after their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific win over Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, on April 8, 2023.

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