The Brumbies have elevated prop Fred Kaihea to their full-time squad for the 2022 Super Rugby season.
Kaihea made his Super Rugby debut for the club against the Force in round six following a raft of injuries and suspensions in the club's front-row in Super Rugby AU.
Get your tickets now for The Rugby Championship now
After impressing during his brief stints, the Brumbies has added him to their squad for next season, joining a front-row lathered with Wallabies such as Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio and James Slipper.
The call-up is well deserved for the 22-year-old, who has been plying his trade in the John I Dent Cup for Queanbeyan over the past five years.
“I’m extremely proud to be joining the Brumbies Super Rugby squad, full-time," he said in a statement
“Living out my dream last season, getting to play Super Rugby was an incredible moment for me and my friends and family, and it only made me want to work harder to continue to pursue that dream.
“The Brumbies have supported me, pushed me to be better and they have shown a lot of faith in me, and my job is to repay that by improving everyday working with the world class props and coaches we have at the club.
“I also want to thank my family and friends at Queanbeyan Whites who have been incredibly supportive over the years, and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
READ MORE:
TAKE IT TO THEM: Al ready to push AB's
BITING (PART 2): Sinckler cited
ON A HIGH: Giteau, AAC lead Giltinis to MLR title
Brumbies coach Dan McKellar shared his excitement, with the Wallabies assistant proud to see his development and how he thrived when thrown into Super Rugby.
“We’re all delighted for Freddy and how far he has come to get to this point," he added.
“We threw him in the deep end last season, but we were confident in him off the back of the work he had done with the group through preseason and he performed well. “Freddy has unique ability around the park for his position, a real point of difference in his ball carry and in the contact area, and continues to develop in his chore skills, his set-piece.
“He’s a very likeable kid, his teammates care for him and his journey makes this another one of those great Brumbies stories where someone earns a chance to live out their dream in the professional game.
"A special mention must go to the Queanbeyan Whites for the role they have played in Fred's development as well."
