World Cup hopeful Tom Banks is poised to turn his back on overseas interest to make a long-term commitment to the ACT Brumbies, giving the club a major boost four weeks before the Super Rugby season starts.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Canberra Times can reveal Banks has signed a three-year contract extension to stay at the Brumbies and in Australian rugby until at least the end of 2022.
The fleet-footed fullback has finalised his future before the Brumbies start their Super Rugby campaign on February 15, which will double as a Wallabies audition for World Cup selection.
The Brumbies moved quickly to secure the excitement machine when overseas teams showed interest in poaching him after a breakout season last year.
Banks could become the cornerstone of the Brumbies' attack for several years and is already on the radar as a long-term Wallaby after making his international debut at the end of last year.
The Brumbies are working through a long list of player contracts as they plan for the future while also trying to prepare for their round-one clash against the Melbourne Rebels.
News of Banks' recommitment came on the same day the Brumbies gathered as a full squad for the first time in six months after a core group of Wallabies returned to Canberra on Thursday.
David Pocock, Allan Alaalatoa, Scott Sio, Rory Arnold and Pete Samu missed the first 10 days of Brumbies training to be at a Wallabies fitness camp to start preparations for the World Cup.
Other players, including Banks and recruit Toni Pulu, joined them for one-day sessions at different stages of the camp at the order of Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
Banks scored nine tries last year, six of those coming in the last six games of the regular season to help him force his way into Wallabies calculations.
He made his Test debut against New Zealand and added two more caps to his tally during the Rugby Championship, but didn't get any game time on the spring tour of Europe.
The 24-year-old was shunned by the Queensland Reds at the start of his career, prompting him to join the Brumbies in 2017 to make his mark on Super Rugby.
His three-year extension follows a trend of Rugby Australia convincing players to sign long-term deals to keep them away from the lure of rich offers in Japan and Europe.
Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa has re-signed until the end of 2023, Michael Hooper will stay for the same period and Israel Folau will stay until 2022.
But the futures of Pocock, Christian Lealiifano and Sam Carter are less certain as they leadership trio weigh up their options, while Arnold will move to France at the end of the year.
The Brumbies will juggle contract negotiations with preparations for the Super Rugby season as the club chases a return to the finals and aims for sustainable success.
McKellar is yet to finalise his captaincy structure for this season after Lealiifano and Carter led the side last year.
An announcement about leaders may be delayed until closer to the first game of the regular season, although the Brumbies will play trials against the Rebels on January 26 and the NSW Waratahs on February 7.
Lealiifano had a stint in Japan during the Super Rugby off-season, but Carter hasn’t played since the end of last year after being given an extended break from rugby duties.
McKellar has just nine days to prepare for the first trial game of the year against the Rebels before a match against the NSW Waratahs on February 7.
It’s likely only the Brumbies’ Test representatives will be used sparingly in the first trial, giving other players a chance to stand tall and press their claims for selection.
"The trials are going to be an opportunity for guys to transfer the work they've done into a game situation," McKellar said.
"There's going to be some tough conversations in round one and you'll feel for some guys, but you can only pick 23 [players] and that's what the trials are for, for guys to put their hands up.
“We’ve got a lot of quality locks, options at No. 12 to replace Kyle Godwin and a group of good wingers. It’s a good position to be in.”
The Brumbies and the Rebels have agreed to play three 30-minute periods in the match on January 26 to give both coaches a chance to test combinations and cope with the heat.
The Rebels will likely roll out gun playmaker recruit Quade Cooper for his first game for the club, while Tevita Kuridrani is set to play for the Brumbies after injury ruined his Wallabies hopes last year.
BRUMBIES PRE-SEASON
January 26: Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Viking Park, 6.30pm. Entry is free.
February 7: Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Goulburn, 6.30pm. Entry is free for Brumbies and Waratahs members.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
February 15: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm.
