Edmonds, Huia

Huia (pron: hew-ee-ah) Edmonds, a former local junior, returns to Canberra having played in South Africa for the past two years. The 26 year old joins the CA Brumbies from the Cape Town-based Stormers where he earned two caps off the bench against the Crusaders and CA Brumbies last season. Edmonds, who has also played first grade rugby at No.8 and inside centre, returned to the ACT in August for the Mazda Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) after Navy Canberra Vikings hooker Saia Faingaa was ruled out of the majority of the competition with a hamstring injury. Edmonds played a role in the final five Mazda ARC matches and will compete with Navy Canberra Vikings team mates Faingaa and John Ulugia for a starting berth at the centre of the CA Brumbies’ front row.

Born in Ashburton, New Zealand, Edmonds grew up in Canberra where he attended Erindale College and played his junior football with the Tuggeranong Vikings. He was recruited by the NSW Waratahs where he made his Super Rugby debut in 2002 against the Bulls in Pretoria as a 19 year old. He was subsequently selected in the Australian Under 21’s squad, alongside CA Brumbies team mates Mark Gerrard, Jone Tawake, Mark Chisholm, Nic Henderson and Guy Shepherdson. The mobile and skilful rake remained with the NSW Waratahs for three seasons – winning seven Super 12 caps – before heading across the Indian Ocean to link with Western Province in South Africa’s Currie Cup. Following seven strong performances in his debut provincial season, Edmonds, who played a total of 28 matches for Western Province, signed with the Stormers where he earned three appearances off the bench.