Dargaville passes the Brumbies test
The Brumbies have signed James Dargaville for the 2015 Super Rugby season, after the Sydney University Premiership winner arrived in Canberra for testing on Tuesday.
A star in the Shute Shield over the last two seasons, Dargaville had caught the eye of several Super Rugby franchises, but chose to move to Canberra.
Straight out of school Dargaville began his career with Warringah's firsts colts side, before moving across the bridge to Sydney University in 2012 – where he claimed his first Premiership. The 2013 season saw him make a first grade debut for the students, who would eventually go onto to claim the Shute Shield for the eighth time since the turn of the century.
Most recently Dargaville has been spotted playing in the outside backs for the Sydney Stars, where he stood out as a genuine up-and-comer despite the team battling to just one win in 2014.
An engineer by trade, Dargaville will boost the depth of an already impressive roster of outside backs alongside Wallabies Joe Tomane, Henry Speight, Jesse Mogg and Tevita Kuridrani.
"This is huge opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to being part of a fulltime program at the Brumbies," Dargaville said.
"Growing up on the beaches it was a big move for me to come into the city and play at Sydney University, but it paid off. I was lucky enough to part of some really good sides at University – which have no doubt had a positive impact on the way I play.
"I'm hoping this move to Canberra and the Brumbies will also provide some positive outcomes for me and my rugby over the next couple of years.
"To be coached by someone like Stephen Larkham is incredibly exciting, not to mention getting to play and train alongside Wallabies like Joe Tomane and Henry Speight. I think I've got something different I can add to this squad and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in come pre-season in a couple of weeks' time."
In the same style as new Brumbies outside-centre, Nigel Ah Wong, Dargaville started his career as a back-rower and only moved to the backline two years ago. Dargaville's experience as a forward has made for a hard-edged, uncompromising winger, not unlike a combo of his predecessor Pat McCabe and new colleague, Henry Speight.
Dargaville starts his Brumbies journey on Tuesday in preparation for pre-season, which kicks-off November 21.
