Vunipola to play for Brumbies in Super Rugby
NEWS: The Brumbies have added young prop Vunipola Fifita to their 2019 Super Rugby squad, completing their 39-man roster for the new season which will begin on Friday, February 15 against the Rebels at GIO Stadium.
The dynamic front-rower earned his opportunity following an exemplary 2018 National Rugby Championship (NRC) with the Canberra Vikings. With excellent handling skills, Fifita has the size and the physique to cause issues to opposition defences both in the scrum and in the loose.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Vunipola Fifita to the Brumbies squad,” head coach Dan McKellar commented.
“Vunipola has been in good form in the NRC and has shown his ability both at set-piece and in the general play. He brings good physicality on both sides of the ball and has shown potential.
“As a young prop there’s still plenty to learn in what is a demanding position, but we feel he has the tools to succeed at the Super Rugby level and he will be a good addition to our front row stocks.”
Despite being Auckland-born, Fifita has been capped for both Australian Schools and the Junior Wallabies and put those skills to good use throughout the NRC season having been an ever-present in the Vikings squad throughout the competition to date.
Moving to Canberra from Sydney, where he was a product of Newington College, Fifita has taken the challenges thrown to him in his stride and is set for a solid career should his progression continue at the current pace. Firstly though, he’ll be keen to settle into the professional environment and continue to learn the trade.
“I am extremely happy to have been given the opportunity to sign for the Brumbies and I am looking forward to linking up with the club for pre-season,” Fifita said upon signing his deal.
“The Brumbies are a very well respected club and have a great tradition of bringing through young players and giving them an opportunity.
“There are some outstanding props at the club with loads of Super Rugby experience and I intend to train hard and learn from them all in order to further my professional career.”
