Young backrower Rob Valetini is staying in Canberra, re-signing with the Brumbies until 2019.
The Melbourne product has impressed Brumbies coaches since moving north to the national capital, after starring for the Rebels U20s in 2016 and Melbourne Rising in the NRC.
Just the second Australian forward to sign a Super Rugby contract straight out of school Valetini is hungry to prove his talents at the highest level
“I am loving life at the Brumbies and I am happy that I have the opportunity to continue to learn my rugby at the club,” he said.
“This last season has been very enjoyable and I have learnt a lot.
“Moving away from Melbourne was tricky at the start and I had to leave my family behind to chase my rugby dream. But I feel like I have exchanged one family for another.
“The coaching staff here is first class and we have a great bunch of blokes in the squad and just being around the experienced guys means that I am learning new things and how to be a professional athlete.”
Brumbies CEO Michael Thomson said Valetini has repaid the Brumbies’ faith already.
“As a young man who has moved away from the comforts of his home and family life, Rob has settled quickly, and appreciates what we are trying to achieve here,” he said.
“He is progressing very well. Should he continue to develop at the rate that he has been over the past season, then we should see him playing Super Rugby very soon.”
