Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Brumbies have announced the signing of young duo Mack Hansen and Darcy Swain, both of whom have come through the club's Academy programme and featured for the Under-20s in 2017.
Hansen, who attends Daramalan College in Canberra is equally comfortable at either flyhalf or fullback while 200cm tall Swain is making great strides as a commanding presence at lock.
Indeed, Swain has already tasted first team action with the Brumbies, playing his part in the 61-14 Austbrokers Canberra Cup win over the Asia Pacific Dragons in Singapore during the June Test Series break.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the week we had in Singapore and the time I got to spend with the senior squad and I am delighted that I am now officially part of that environment,” Swain said.
“We have some tremendous locks here at the Brumbies and I feel I have learnt a huge amount just by watching them, so training with them as a player will continue to help me improve.
“It’s an honour to be picked up by the Brumbies. They are a club I admire and have a tremendous history and a fantastic culture that I can’t wait to be a part of.”
Utility back Hansen, who has had an excellent season with the Gungahlin Eagles in the local Aquis Entertainment John I Dent Cup, is gearing up for his first crack at elite level rugby with the senior squad.
“I am very excited to have been given the opportunity to hopefully start my Super Rugby career here in Canberra with the Brumbies,” Hansen said.
“I have been enjoying my rugby in the Under-20 set up, and at a club level with Gungahlin Eagles, and I am looking forward to having the chance to show what I can do in a full-time professional environment.
“This is the next step on my journey to become a rugby player and I am grateful to the Brumbies for giving me a chance.”
The Brumbies management certainly believe that the pair have what it takes to make it at the top level and to become an integral part of the Brumbies family.
“The signing of both Darcy and Mack will continue the fine tradition we have here at the Brumbies of giving young players the chance to shine at the top level of the sport,” Brumbies CEO Michael Thomson commented.
“The Brumbies have often been the starting point for young talent to carve a great career in the game, both domestically and internationally, and we have been pleased with the way that the duo has progressed through the Under-20 programme.
“Our coaching staff work extremely hard with our younger age groups in an effort to prepare them for life in Super Rugby and Dan (McKellar) and Stephen (Larkham) had no hesitation in bringing in a number of these young players in pre-season last year.
“It’s a part of our culture that we embrace and something we will aim to continue to do.”
