ACT Brumbies cult hero Henry Speight will add spark to the Gungahlin Eagles fight to keep their season alive after the Fijian flyer asked two coaches if he was allowed to play club rugby on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Speight will make a guest appearance for the Eagles in their clash against the top-of-the-table Tuggeranong Vikings despite being given an opportunity to rest before Super Rugby returns next week.
But his commitment to Gungahlin shouldn't come as a surprise. The affable winger was the Eagles' clubman of the year in 2014 despite not playing a game.
Speight also played second grade and first grade on the same day for Gungahlin last year less than 24 hours after the Brumbies were knocked out of the Super Rugby title race.
"Henry is hugely committed to the club and most nights he's down at training shaking hands, chatting to the young guys and girls," said Eagles coach Dan Atkins.
"Words can't describe how much of a committed, passionate and loyal club person he is. Given who he is as a Super Rugby star ... he could be having a break this weekend.
"But he chooses to give back to the club, give back to the grassroots. He messaged me on Wednesday and said he'd personally been to see [Brumbies coach] Dan McKellar and requested he play with the Eagles this week."
Speight's presence will boost the Eagles, who are chasing just their third win of the season as they try to close the gap between sixth and fourth on the ladder.
But his Eagles return will also be a welcome sight for two rising stars - Ali Ngahe and Apenisa Driti.
The highly-regarded teenagers are already on the radars of Super Rugby and NRL clubs, with Rugby Australia offering Driti a small deal to ensure he doesn't defect to a rival code.
Driti is set to link with the Brumbies as part of a development program and Rugby Australia will keep a close eye on the 117 kilogram prop's progress.
"Apenisa is big, strong, powerful. He can run, he can step, he can pass ... he's got everything," Atkins said.
"I've really got to commend [Rugby Australia] because I think they've listened to the grassroots. There are people in grassroots rugby communicating to the top and we've [identified] a kid.
"That's really good for rugby. The Brumbies have stood up and helped. At the end of the day, it's stability for an 18-year-old kid and he can focus on rugby."
Another rising junior, Tuggeranong flanker Isaiah Tikitau, is recovering well after dislocating his hip during his first-grade debut last week.
There was a lengthy delay in the match before it was moved to another pitch and an ambulance was called as medical officials initially feared Tikitau had broken his femur.
Meanwhile, Canberra rugby union bosses have asked clubs to help "stamp out" poor behaviour directed at match officials, warning players, coaches and team officials to keep criticism in-house.
John I Dent Cup officials emailed premier clubs to "reinforce behavioural expectations" in relations to dealing with referees.
The memo told clubs to respect officials and not to show "unnecessary obvious dissension" towards referees.
"Do not make any public comment that is critical of the performance of a match official... or otherwise make any public comment that would likely be detrimental to the best interests, image and welfare of the game," the email read.
"This includes comments in the local media or social media that express displeasure or disapproval with the referee's decisions.
"Any such actions are reportable as a breach of the Rugby Australia Code of Conduct and complaints will be investigated."
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND 12
Saturday: Easts v Wests at Griffith Oval, 3.05pm; Queanbeyan Whites v Uni-Norths Owls at Campese Field, 3.05pm; Tuggeranong Vikings v Gungahlin Eagles at Viking Park, 3.25pm.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 17
June 30: ACT Brumbies v Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
