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Cape Town - The Brumbies have announced that they have signed experienced centre Anthony Fainga'a on a one-year contract for the 2017 season.
Currently playing with Kintetsu Liners in Japan, Fainga’a
has represented the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup, lifted the Super Rugby
trophy with the Reds and played 93 career Super Rugby matches.
Fainga’a will join twin brother Saia who also joined the Canberra-based outfit on a one-year deal earlier this year.
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham said he was looking forward to having Anthony at the club in 2017.
"Having the twins returning will bolster our depth in key positions," he told the Brumbies' official website.
"Anthony has long been one of the best defensive
centres in Super Rugby, which will be a huge boost for our backline.
"He has the ability to kick goals and play in either
centre position.
"Alongside Saia, the twins bring a formidable amount of
experience to next year’s squad.
"They have great connections with the Queanbeyan and
Canberra communities and I think fans will be happy to see them back in
Brumbies colours next season."
Born in Queanbeyan, Anthony played rugby league with the
Queanbeyan Kangaroos from the age of five. A student of famed Rugby nursery St
Edmunds College, Anthony represented the school’s first XV aged just 15 and was
selected as vice-captain of the Australian Schools team in 2004.
Along with brother Saia, Anthony Fainga’a was a key member
of Australia’s U19 World Championship winning side in 2006 sealing Australia’s
victory over New Zealand in the final with a late drop goal and was later
nominated for the IRB U19 Player of the Year.
The 29-year-old made his Super Rugby debut with the Brumbies
in 2007 against the Bulls in front of friends and family at GIO Stadium going
on to play four games for the Brumbies over two seasons before relocating to
the Queensland Reds.
He joined the Reds Development Tour to Ireland and France at
the end of 2008 and made his full Reds debut in 2009, also against the Bulls.
Fainga’a made his Test debut for Australia against the All
Blacks in Melbourne in 2010. He played in 16 matches of the Reds 2011 Super
Rugby title-winning season including the semi-final win over the Blues and
final victory over the Crusaders. He was then selected alongside Saia in the
Wallabies squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where Australia
took third place.
Saia and Anthony Faingaa were the third set of twins to represent Australia in a Test match, following on from Stewart and Jim Boyce and Mark and Glen Ella becoming the 40th set of brothers to appear for the Wallabies.
