The Plus500 Brumbies are pleased to announce Brumby no. 171, Allan Alaalatoa, as the side’s captain ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby Season.
The 25-year-old made his debut for the Brumbies in the team’s 2014 Quarter-Final victory over the Chiefs, and has represented the jersey on 75 occasions.
In Canberra, the tighthead prop is affiliated with Uni-Norths, playing for the Owls during the 2014 and 2015 seasons and has also worn the red and white of the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship.
In 2018, Alaalatoa committed his future to the club, signing a five-year contract extension until the end of 2023.
On the international stage, Alaalatoa was first capped for the Wallabies in 2016 and has worn the green and gold 37 times, including six starts at his first Rugby World Cup in Japan last year.
He was named vice-captain of the Wallabies side who played the Barbarians in 2018 and was part of the Plus500 Brumbies leadership group last year.
An outstanding 2019 season saw Alaalatoa recognised by his peers around the country, becoming the first prop to win the Brett Robinson Award as the Brumbies’ Players’ Player, as well as the RUPA (Rugby Union Players’ Association) Medal of Excellence.
Off the field, Alaalatoa is three units away from finishing his Bachelor of Criminology and is also a level two accredited Rugby coach.
He will be supported in the leadership group by three vice-captains in Tom Cusack, Lachlan McCaffrey and Joe Powell as well as senior leaders Tom Banks and Scott Sio.
Plus500 Brumbies captain, Allan Alaalatoa said: “It’s a huge honour and privilege to be named as the captain of the Brumbies.
“The Brumbies were the club who first gave me an opportunity to realise my dream of playing professional rugby and I’ll be doing everything I can to repay that opportunity as a leader of the club.
“There is such a great history of leadership at the organisation and there are so many great leaders within the squad as well, who will support me and help drive our standards both on and off the field this year and beyond.”
Plus500 Brumbies Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “Allan’s been at the club for a long time now and has developed into a really strong leader in both the way he plays and how he holds himself amongst the group.”
“He’s a key figure for us on and off the field and will be well supported by the vice-captains and senior leaders at the club.
“The Brumbies have a long history of strong leaders and I congratulate him on being named the side’s captain for 2020.”
Get behind your new Brumbies skipper when the Plus500 Brumbies kick off their 2020 Super Rugby campaign against the Reds at GIO Stadium on January 31. Tickets available here.
