Chapman, Mitchell

After a slow start to 2009, Mitchell Chapman finished the year as a Wallaby tourist. Off-season shoulder surgery ensured the rampaging back-rower missed the first five matches of the Investec Bank Super 14 season, before he returned to hold down the ‘6’ jersey for seven of the final eight matches, missing the final round against the Chiefs due to a concussion suffered against the Blues. On completion of the provincial season, he underwent further surgery to correct the shoulder complaint, with the successful procedure celebrated by Chapman’s inclusion Wallabies’ Spring Tour squad. The 2009 Spring Tour was Chapman’s second northern hemisphere venture with the Wallabies when he earned two Australia A caps after replacing Daniel Vickerman, who missed the tour following a shoulder reconstruction. Since joining the CA Brumbies from the Reds in 2008, the loping back-rower has been a regular member of the CA Brumbies’ run-on XV, starting in 18 of his 19 matches for the ACT province. The 26-year-old is workmanlike in his performances – very mobile around the field, reliable in the lineout, precise in his off-the-ball involvements and has an ability to regularly break the line with ball in hand. Chapman, who can also play lock and No.8, has been a regular in Australia A sides since 2006 and – at the conclusion of last year’s Investec Bank Super 14 – re-signed with the CA Brumbies until the end of 2011.

Career Timeline
2001 – Graduates from Brisbane Grammar and captains the Australian Schools on their tour of the UK.
2002 – Drafted into the Reds Rugby College.
2003 – Selected for the Australian squad to contest the IRB Under 21’s World Cup in England.
2004 – Represents the Australian Under 21’s for a second year during their World Cup in Scotland.
2005 – Makes Super 12 debut against Crusaders.
2006 – Plays all 13 matches for the Queensland Reds; is called into the Spring Tour squad following a shoulder injury to Daniel Vickerman; earned Australia A caps against Ireland A and Scotland A.
2007 – Completes another full season for the Reds; selected in the shadow squad for the Rugby World Cup but is forced to withdraw after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.
2008 –Starts in all but two matches during his first Investec Super 14 season with the CA Brumbies; selected in the Barbarians squad for their three-match tour against Belgium, Ireland and England; represents Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup against Japan; selected for the Australian Barbarians who are defeated by Queensland, 61-17.
2009 – Misses the CA Brumbies’ first five matches due to a shoulder injury; plays seven matches for the CA Brumbies at blindside flanker; selected for the Spring Tour.