New Brumby Guy Porter trades mundane office for Super dream

Porter is the Brumbies' relatively unknown recruit from Sydney University who boasts leadership skills and the rugby smarts to develop into a perfect outside centre.

But he spent most of this year gaining office work experience and almost gave up on his rugby career before it had even started after injuries halted his rise.

London-born Porter went to Scots College with Wallaby Maddocks and NRL premiership-winner Crichton and hoped to follow them into the professional ranks.

Two ankle syndesmosis operations and two shoulder reconstructions changed his career path and he threw himself into a commerce-law degree.

"Watching my peers go and play in some rep programs and do some exciting things ... I was doing things away from [sport] that I thought I may prefer to do," Porter said.

"I wanted to enjoy playing, so I found my feet at Sydney Uni and that probably [was the reawakening] for some professional ambitions.

"The last couple of years I've worked hard with that in mind and then hopefully I can spend as much time here as I can.

"I've spent the past couple of years doing some pretty mundane jobs in an office, which is why it's so nice to spend some time outside down here. It was fortunate timing to have this opportunity."

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

Porter will add versatility to the Brumbies' back line, which will undergo an overhaul for the 2020 Super Rugby season.

Stalwarts Christian Lealiifano and Henry Speight have left, leaving a gaping hole in experience.

Tevita Kuridrani and Joe Powell are the most-capped players, while 18-year-old Reesjan Pasitoa is in a three-way battle for the No. 10 jersey.

Porter could slot into a spot on the wing and he has played inside centre and fullback before making him the perfect utility for the bench. But he's most excited about working alongside Kuridrani, who has signed a one-year contract extension.

"I've watched a lot of him on TV, so the opportunity to watch him up close and at training ... just to see what they're working on and the skill acquisition. It's pretty exciting," Porter said.

Len Ikitau will also challenge for the No. 13 jersey after making his debut last year, while Mack Hansen, Solomone Kata, Andy Muirhead and Tom Wright will battle for a Speight's vacant wing spot after the Fijian flyer defected to the Queensland Reds.