Brumbies want to send Lealiifano out 'with a title he deserves'
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Brumbies have pledged to send inspirational flyhalf Christian Lealiifano out a Super Rugby winner as they prepare for the first obstacle of their finals campaign.
Lealiifano arrived in Canberra in 2007, three years after the Brumbies most recent title and his teammates are determined to break the drought for their captain.
The 31-year-old has signed to play in the Japanese Top League next year, but first wants to get his hands on an elusive Super Rugby trophy.
A third championship for the Brumbies is just three wins away and their sudden death schedule starts against the Sharks at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
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Brumbies fullback Tom Banks said no player was more deserving of a title than the 148-game playmaker.
“All the boys know how special he is to the group and how special he has been to the group now for a number of years,” Banks said.
“You can just feel the amount of respect he has in the group when he’s holding the [room]. He’s going to be a massive loss for this team and that’s why we need to stand up and do this for him.
“It’s one of the sole focuses of the team, to send him out with a title he deserves.”
Lealiifano has been in blistering touch this season and led the Brumbies to the Australian conference title.
The red-hot form will likely see him recalled to the Wallabies for the World Cup in September.
It would mark an incredible international comeback for the man diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016 before undergoing chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.
Lealiifano’s Brumbies’ return less than 12 months later was met with worldwide acclaim and he now sits on the cusp of adding to his 19 Tests.
Lealiifano will captain the Brumbies for the 47th time this week, equalling club legend George Gregan and second to Ben Mowen (51).
Brumby stars David Pocock, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter and Henry Speight are also leaving the club after the season.
