Promising Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a has put pen to paper on a fresh deal that will keep him in Canberra until the end of 2019.
Fainga'a signed an extended playing squad contract in November after a breakout campaign with the Canberra Vikings and immediately proved a valuable addition to ACT's fold, making the starting hooker job his own in Josh Mann-Rea's absence over the past month.
The 22-year-old has shown enough in four Super Rugby caps for the Brumbies to lock him in as a future cornerstone of the club.
"We are delighted that Folau has signed a two-year contract with the club," Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said.
"He brings great energy, is very dynamic in both attack and defence and his set piece game is developing nicely.
"Folau was a standout player in the NRC with the Vikings last season and he has produced that form in his first few games of Super Rugby on the back of an excellent pre-season."
Fainga'a was called into Wallabies camp during Bledisloe Cup preparations last October - such was the impact of his NRC campaign - marking him as one to watch with the Wallabies' hooker stocks relatively shallow.
"Folau has impressed in his short time at the club, he has quickly become a popular member of the group and it is pleasing to see him take the opportunities he has been given," McKellar said.
"If he continues to work hard on all areas of his game I am confident he has a long career ahead of him at Super Rugby level."
Fainga'a said he was pleased to have secured his future at the club that handed him his chance.
"The Brumbies is a special club to play for and I have been made to feel so welcome to Canberra by everyone involved and, in particular, the loyal Brumbies supporters," Fainga'a said.
"I look forward to an exciting future."
The Brumbies host the Reds at GIO Stadium on Saturday, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and RUGBY.com.au radio.
