Four more sign with Brumbies Rugby
It's still more than six months until the first kick-off of the 2012
Super Rugby season, but CA Technologies Brumbies Head Coach Jake White
has finalised his squad with the acquisition of four new players on
Friday.
Tom Cox (wing), Zac Holmes (utility back), Tevita Kuridrani (outside
backs) and Leon Power (lock) have all committed to contracts with the CA
Technologies Brumbies for the next two seasons.
Cox, Holmes and Kuridrani all impressed CA Technologies Brumbies
coaching staff at the team's most recent training camp in Narrabeen. Cox
and Kuridrani will move from Queensland where they represent the
University of Queensland while Holmes has been impressive for Northern
Suburbs in Sydney's Shute Shield.
Kuridrani has previously represented Australia at Sevens after moving to
Queensland from his native Fiji. A strong, robust ball barrier with good
vision and rugby skills, Kuridrani will be used to make ground over the
advantage line and combine with the likes of Matt To'omua and Christian
Lealiifano.
A former member of the Reds Academy, Kuridrani is the third player to
come to Canberra from the Reds for the 2012 Super Rugby season with Ian
Prior and Kimami Sitauti.
Holmes is another product of the Australian Sevens program having grown
up playing rugby in Perth. Now perfecting his trade as a Shoreman with
fellow Brumby Cam Crawford, Holmes' diversity as a player will allow
Brumbies Rugby coaching staff to use him at flyhalf, fullback or even on
the wing.
A stocky play-maker with thick set legs and strong upper body, Holmes
elusive ball carries complement his quality kicking game - both long and
short - as well as his ability to kick for goal.
Cox has been picked from the Queensland competition after displaying
blistering pace at the Brumbies Rugby camp at Narrabeen. Suited to the
outside backs, Cox has made huge steps in his game despite being
relatively new to rugby after switching from AFL.
Backs Coach Stephen Larkham spoke highly of all three new backs
following their signings on Friday.
"Zac Holmes is a skilful player out of Norths in Sydney. He is currently
Norths' goal kicker and an accurate field kicker," Larkham said.
"Being the third quickest in recent squad testing means he will cover a
number of positions for us next year, including five-eighth, wing and
fullback.
"Tom Cox is a raw talent coming to us from Queensland University in the
Brisbane comp.
"He is out and out speed having recently tested fasted in our 40m speed
test with a time which would put him as one of the quickest men in
Australian rugby.
"He is relatively new to rugby, but listens well and is keen to learn
and has a huge potential in the game. Tom will predominantly play on the
wing for us next year.
"Tevita Kuridrani also comes from the University of Queensland. Tevita
is big and fast, has a natural understanding of the game and has a good
passing game.
"He will play anywhere from 12 out as he again has great versatility
like the rest of our backline."
Power has been a star performer for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's ITM
Cup this season. His team, which currently sits first on the ladder, has
been blessed with the 2.01m tall giant in the lineout in 2011 after
arriving at the Bay Of Plenty from Taranaki at the start of this season.
Despite spending the majority of his life and playing days in New
Zealand, Power was born in Sydney and will not play under the ARU's
foreign marquee player rule.
CA Technologies Brumbies Forwards Coach Laurie Fisher was pleased with
the signing of Power and said he was a good fit for where the team was
headed in 2012.
"Leon is a big man with a good combination of game and grunt," Fisher
said.
"He has been well schooled in the tough New Zealand rugby environment
and we will be expecting him to bring a hard, uncompromising edge to our
play."
Tom Cox
POS: Wing
DOB: 4/10/1988
H/W: 1.86m, 87kg
Club: University of Queensland
Zac Holmes
POS: Flyhalf, fullback, wing
DOB: 30/5/1990
H/W: 1.8m, 87kg
Club: Northern Suburbs, Sydney
Tevita Kuridrani
POS: Outside backs
DOB: 31/3/1991
H/W: 1.89m, 101kg
Club: University of Queensland
Leon Power
POS: Lock
DOB: 27/2/1986
H/W: 2.01m, 117kg
Club: Bay of Plenty Steamers