VIDEO: Wallaby swaps Brumbies for rivals
TRANSFER NEWS: Rugby Australia and the Western Force announced Folau Fainga’a has re-committed to Australian Rugby until the end of 2024.
The damaging hooker has featured in the gold jersey on 25 occasions since making his debut in 2018 and was part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad in Japan.
A prolific try-scorer for the Brumbies in Super Rugby, the 27-year-old has been a stalwart for the Austrakian side and started in their 2020 Super Rugby AU final triumph.
His move across the Nullarbor will see him link with just his second Super Rugby side.
A consistent feature in national squads, Fainga’a is currently preparing with the Wallabies on the Sunshine Coast for the eToro England Series which kicks off on Saturday in Perth.
Swapping out the cold for a nice sunny morning at the beach 🏖
Before you catch him playing for the Force, you can see him this Saturday as the @wallabies take on @EnglandRugby! 🇦🇺 v 🏴 tickets: https://t.co/Z93hwWyKcV#WesternForce #SuperRugbyPacific #Wallabies #EnglandRugby pic.twitter.com/fcKqBq0yyG
— Western Force (@westernforce) June 28, 2022
Wallabies and Western Force hooker Folau Fainga’a said: “I’m super excited to re-sign with Australian Rugby and to join the Western Force from next year.”
“They’re a team that from the outside, looks to be heading in a really positive direction and I’m looking forward to working with the coaching staff over there in 2023.
“Right now though my focus is here with the Wallabies and preparing for what’s going to be a really tough series against England which kicks off this weekend.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said: “Folau’s re-commitment to Australian Rugby is a positive one.”
“A strong scrummager and excellent thrower, Folau’s been a consistent feature of our team over the last two seasons.
“He’s a popular member of the squad and the most experienced rake in the country which makes him an important part of our group moving forward.”
Western Force General Manager of Rugby, Matt Hodgson said: “Folau is a player who brings a wealth of experience at Super Rugby and Test level with the Wallabies.”
“To have secured two Wallabies hookers in our squad is a sign of great progress for the club and signals our ambition for the years to come.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing Folau working alongside Feleti (Kaitu’u) and Jack (Winchester) over the next two seasons.”
