Fainga'a twins to reunite at Brumbies

Currently playing with Kintetsu Liners in Japan, Anthony Fainga’a has represented the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup, lifted the Super Rugby trophy with the Queensland Reds and played 93 career Super Rugby matches.

Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham said he was looking forward to having Anthony Fainga at the Brumbies in 2017.

"Having the twins returning will bolster our depth in key positions," Larkham said.

"Anthony has long been one of the best defensive centres in Super Rugby, which will be a huge boost for our backline.

"He has the ability to kick goals and play in either centre position.

"Alongside Saia, the twins bring a formidable amount of experience to next year’s squad.

"They have great connections with the Queanbeyan and Canberra communities and I think fans will be happy to see them back in Brumbies colours next season,"

Born in Queanbeyan, Anthony Fainga'a played rugby league with the Queanbeyan Kangaroos from the age of five. A student of famed Rugby nursery St Edmunds College, Anthony represented the school’s first XV aged just 15 and was selected as vice-captain of the Australian Schools team in 2004.

Along with brother Saia, Anthony Fainga’a was a key member of Australia’s Under-19 World Championship winning side in 2006 sealing Australia’s victory over New Zealand in the final with a late drop goal and was later nominated for the IRB U19 Player of the Year.

The 29-year old made his Super Rugby debut with the Brumbies in 2007 against the Bulls in front of friends and family at GIO Stadium going on to play four games for the Brumbies over two seasons before relocating to the Queensland Reds.

He joined the Reds Development Tour to Ireland and France at the end of 2008 and made his full Reds debut in 2009, also against the Bulls.

Anthony Fainga'a made his test debut for Australia against the All Blacks in Melbourne in 2010. He played in 16 matches of the Reds 2011 Super Rugby title-winning season including the semifinal win over the Blues and final victory over the Crusaders. He was then selected alongside Saia in the Wallabies squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where Australia took third place.

Saia and Anthony Faingaa were the third set of twins to represent Australia in a Test match, following on from Stewart and Jim Boyce and Mark and Glen Ella becoming the 40th set of brothers to appear for the Wallabies.

Source: sanzarrugby.com