Publications
Partners
Cape Town - The
Brumbies have announced the signing of promising inside centre Kyle
Godwin, who joins from the Western Force on a two-year contract.
The centre who can play flyhalf, was called into the Wallabies training squad this week ahead of Saturday's Test against the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium. He also represented the NSW Country Eagles at Viking Park on Sunday, scoring a try against a number of his future Brumbies team-mates.
Born in Zimbabwe, Godwin has been one of the Western Force's best players since making his Super Rugby debut as a 19-year-old in 2012 against the Reds.
Later that year, the talented playmaker represented the Australian U20s team at the 2012 Junior World Championship in South Africa, starting every match at flyhalf scoring 21 points throughout the tournament.
After scoring his first Super Rugby try against the Crusaders in the final round of the 2012 season, Godwin was named RugbyWA's U20 Player of the Year and runner-up in the PG Hampshire Award (WA Club Rugby Player of the Year).
Touted as one of the brightest prospects to have come out of the Western Australian Pathways program, Godwin captained WA and represented the Australian Schoolboys side in 2009 (alongside Scott Sio) and was a member of the side which narrowly beat New Zealand Schoolboys 28-24.
The 24-year-old had a breakout season in 2013 for the Force and was recognised as the club's most outstanding player with the inaugural Nathan Sharpe Medal, Members’ Most Valuable Player Award and Rising Star Award.
In 2014, Godwin was called into the Wallabies 30-man squad for The Rugby Championship. A shoulder injury later ruled him out of the Wallabies Spring Tour of Europe and possible national debut.
"The opportunity to grow as a person and as a rugby player at the Brumbies is something I could not ignore," Godwin told the Brumbies.
"The opportunity to be coached by Stephen Larkham, someone who played in a position similar to me was definitely another reason for the decision.
"I've loved every minute at the Western Force and the club will always be very special to me, but the move to the Brumbies is the best decision for my career.
"I've lived in Perth my whole life, I live 10 minutes away from training so it's going to be a big change moving to Canberra but I need a change to keep pushing me and challenging me.
"To be able to link with the current Australian Conference Champions is something I am extremely grateful for and I'm really looking forward to this next chapter of my career at the Brumbies."
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham, who is in Wallabies camp with Godwin this week, says he is looking forward to having him link with the Brumbies later this year.
"We are very pleased he has agreed to join the Brumbies. He’s risen through the ranks of WA Rugby and we know how hard the decision for him to leave has been," Larkham said.
"He wants to take his game to a new level and believes the move can help him do that.
"He's played 52 Super Rugby matches for the Force and has developed into an international-standard player in that time.
"We were looking for someone who has strengths in both attack and defence. Kyle possesses those skills as well as great game vision and a powerful running game. It will be an exciting time for us when he joins our backline next season."
