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Lonergan brothers sign long term deals
By Kim Ekin
Brothers Lachlan and Ryan Lonergan have re-signed with the Brumbies until the end of season 2025.
The pair are the first players of interest to the Wallabies who have signed through to 2025, when Australia will welcome the British and Irish Lions for the first time since 2013.
Both have come through the Australian Rugby pathways and were representatives of the Junior Wallabies, with Ryan having captained the side in 2018, while Lachlan started in the 2019 side that fell short in the U20 World Championship Final against France in Argentina.
The pair grew up just across the border from Canberra, in Williamsdale and graduated through the Brumbies pathways program, with Ryan making his Super Rugby debut as a teenager in 2017 against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Lachlan’s debut would come at the same ground three years later, the dynamic hooker coming on to help seal a drought-breaking win on New Zealand soil victory over the Chiefs.
Both would go on to be selected in Dave Rennie's Wallabies squad in 2021, with Lachlan, 22, making his Test debut in the victorious France Series, earning four caps in his first international season.
Ryan is yet to debut for his country, but both earned a call-up in the Wallabies camp squad earlier this month.
Wallabies and Brumbies hooker Lachlan Lonergan said: “I’m grateful to have this opportunity to stay at the Brumbies and in Australian rugby.”
“Achieving some of my goals, like playing for the Wallabies in the first few years of my career has been great but I know I’ve got more work to do to continue to earn opportunities and I think the Brumbies and Australian rugby is the best place for me to do that.
“Playing with Ryan and a bunch of boys I’ve come through the ranks with at Brumbies is awesome."
Scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan said: “I’m really pleased to have my future sorted and to know I’ll be playing my rugby here in Australia and at the Brumbies.”
“Playing for the team I supported growing up and coming into work every day with Noss (Lachlan) and a great bunch of boys is a dream come true and something I’m very grateful for.
“I’m excited about the direction of the club and it’s great so now that I can just focus on my rugby and hopefully push for more opportunities at the Brumbies and with the Wallabies.”
Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar said: “It’s fantastic to have Lonners and Noss commit their future to the Brumbies, and for the club, retaining two top-quality players and men for the future is very important.
“The whole ACT rugby community will be delighted to see the boys stay at the Brumbies. They’ve come through the ranks, earned their opportunities and will be important players for the Brumbies for many years to come.”
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Latest Comments
There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
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