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‘Got more memories to make’: Wallaby Pete Samu to leave Brumbies
By Finn Morton
Wallaby Pete Samu will leave the ACT Brumbies at the end of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
Earlier this year, RugbyRama reported that the former Crusaders flanker had signed a two-year deal with French powerhouse Bordeaux.
While Bordeaux have yet to confirm the multiple reports - there have been no updates since March - the Brumbies have announced that Samu will depart the Australian club at the end of the season.
After winning a Super Rugby title with the champion Crusaders, the Australian-born Samu moved across the ditch after signing with the Brumbies and Australian Rugby ahead of the 2019 season.
Samu played his 50th match in Brumbies colours against the Chiefs, and is expected to reach 100 Super Rugby appearances later this season.
“I just want to thank the Brumbies and the Canberra community for the past five years,” Samu said in a statement.
“This club and Canberra will always be a special place for me and my family, and I’ll cherish the memories forever.
“What I’ll miss most is the boys and the culture we’ve built but we’ve still got more memories to make this year.”
The Western Force, Brumbies and Rugby Australia all made another significant announcement on Tuesday by confirming that Nic White had signed for the Perth-based franchise.
White, 32, will depart the Brumbies alongside Pete Samu at the end of the 2023 season.
“We’re disappointed to see Pete and Nic go at the end of the season, but we understand in professional sport, players and people have to make a difficult decision for themselves and their families,” coach Stephen Larkham said.
“The club made every effort to retain both players past this year, but the reality is there are factors outside of our control as well as the competitive marketplace for players of their calibre that come into play.
“Both Nic and Pete have been and will be integral members of our group and we will celebrate their significant contribution to the Brumbies at the right moment but our focus now is on Sunday against the Highlanders.”
The Brumbies defeated Australian rivals the Melbourne Rebels 26-33 at AAMI Park on Sunday, and will look to go back-to-back this weekend at home against the Highlanders.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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