The ACT Brumbies have secured the services of exciting outside back Kye Oates on a two-year deal, keeping the graduate of the club’s Indigenous Pathways Program in Canberra through to the end of the 2028 season.
The 26-year-old proud Nunukul, Ngughi and Goenpul man has been rewarded for his promising introduction to Super Rugby Pacific in 2026 and consistent form with club side, Canberra Royals.
Hailing from Biloela and Rockhampton in Central Queensland, Oates first made his mark as National Indigenous Captain in 2016 before representing the Australian Barbarians at the inaugural U19 Rugby Championship in 2018. He continued his rise with selection in the Junior Wallabies squad for the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship, alongside future Brumbies teammates Lachlan Lonergan, Darcy Breen, Rhys van Nek, Nick Frost and Triston Reilly.
Oates is a graduate of the Brumbies’ Indigenous Pathways Program, delivered in partnership with Rugby Australia, which brings talented young Indigenous players to Canberra to train within the club’s high-performance environment.
A standout for Canberra Royals in the John I Dent Cup in recent seasons, Oates has also shared the field with his younger brother Chace, a fly-half who was a key member of the Brumbies’ Next Gen side this season. His club form earned him a call-up to the Australian Sevens side in 2022, making his debut at the Hong Kong Sevens.
Oates enhanced his reputation in 2025 when selected for the First Nations and Pasifika XV to face the touring British & Irish Lions, putting the kid from Queensland on the international stage.
His strong form earned him a Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Queensland Reds in Round Four, when he came into the side as a late replacement after Ollie Sapsford was ruled out. Oates went on to feature in three matches, stringing together appearances against the Reds, Fijian Drua and Chiefs before his promising debut season was cut short by injury.
The outside back sustained an ankle fracture-dislocation while playing for the Brumbies Runners, requiring surgical repair and cutting short his debut season. He has worked hard with Brumbies medical through his recovery with the 2027 season firmly in his sights.
“I’m really excited to be staying at the Brumbies and continuing to work with the coaches and the calibre of players we have here,” Oates said.
“The outside backs are a great group to learn from, and being around those guys every day is only going to help me improve my game.
“The injury was frustrating, especially after getting a taste of Super Rugby this year, but I’m working hard with the medical and high-performance staff to get back to my best. The focus is on being ready to go for 2027.”
Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham said Oates was a promising talent whose skillset and influence around the squad made him an exciting prospect for the seasons ahead.
“Kye is a promising player with a valuable skillset, and he’s a real positive influence around the group,” Larkham said.
“He’s a naturally gifted athlete with good acceleration, great footwork and an ability to identify space and create opportunities for those around him.
“He’s working hard to return to his best in 2027, and we’re excited to see what he can bring to the team next season.”
With his future secured through 2028, Oates will look to turn his promising start into a sustained impact in Brumbies gold when he returns to the field next season.
