Brumbies lock in Aussie Prodigy
TRANSFER NEWS: Brumbies have handed a two-year deal to Junior Wallabies captain Ryan Lonergan.
The Canberra-born scrumhalf has signed a new two-year deal to keep him at the franchise through the 2019-2020 Super Rugby seasons.
Lonergan, who led his country in the recent U20 World Rugby Championship in France, made his Brumbies debut as a teenager when he replaced Argentinean international Tomas Cubelli in the 65th minute of the match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on July 15, 2017.
Since winning his maiden cap, Lonergan has been training hard and learning off fellow halfbacks Joe Powell and Matt Lucas whilst putting together a string of sensational performances in the Super U20s competition, a platform he used to be selected for international honours.
“I am extremely excited to be signing a two-year deal to continue my rugby at the Plus500 Brumbies,” Lonergan commented upon inking the deal.
“The Brumbies have given me an opportunity to play at the elite level and I am looking forward to repaying their faith in me by helping the club push towards a goal of a third Super Rugby title.
“We have a tremendous family atmosphere at this club and, being from Canberra myself, I understand what the Brumbies means to the community in Canberra and the surrounding region. I am looking forward to improving as a player and helping us achieve our goals over the next two years,”
Educated at Trinity Christian College in Canberra, Lonergan has been a mainstay of the successful Tuggeranong Vikings team in the Griffin Legal John I Dent Cup and has also been a regular for the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship (NRC) competition.
“We are delighted that Ryan has signed on with the club for a further two years,” head Coach Dan McKellar commented.
“Ryan is the current Australian Under 20s Captain and he is another player who has come through our Junior Pathways system. Ryan possesses a strong passing and kicking game, defends well and is also a threat with the ball which is an important trait for any modern-day halfback.
“If Ryan continues to work hard and develop his game he will enjoy a long professional career at the Brumbies,”
