Brumbies winger Speight signs landmark deal

Brumbies winger Henry Speight has signed a new three-year deal that will keep
him playing Super rugby in Canberra until at least 2018.

Speight’s landmark deal will allow him to play for the Brumbies and the
Wallabies and participate in the 2016 Australian Sevens Program – with
an eye on the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

As part of the agreement between Australian Rugby and the Brumbies, Speight
will combine his duties with the national Sevens program and the Brumbies throughout
2016.

At the conclusion of the Rio Olympics in August 2016, Speight will be available
for the Wallabies for the remainder of The Rugby Championship before returning
full-time with the Brumbies for the 2017 and 2018 Super Rugby seasons.

The Fijian-born winger made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies in 2011
against the Chiefs and has since played 74 matches for the club. In that time
he has crossed for 26 tries.

Speight made his long-awaited debut for the Wallabies in 2014 and is hoping
to add to his tally of two international appearances this year through The Rugby
Championship and 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Speight’s first taste of professional-rugby came in his final year of school
in New Zealand, when representing Hamilton Boys High School he was picked for
Waikato making his debut against the Bay of Plenty in 2008. Speight represented
his native Fiji in the same year at the Junior World Cup in Belfast.

The 27-year old is excited about the new deal that will allow him to chase
an Olympic dream and to remain with the Brumbies for another three seasons.
“I’m really happy to be staying in Canberra for another three years,”
the winger said.

“I love playing in front of all the fans here, it’s always a blessing.

“I’m really excited about what the future holds and can’t
wait to put a Brumbies jersey back on and get back on the paddock.”

Speight is a crowd favourite in the nation’s capital and is constantly
found, post-game, as the last player on the pitch signing autographs and posing
for photos with fans.

He is also well-known for his work off-field. In 2014 Henry shaved his head
to help raise over $30,000 for a Fijian foundation, Walk on Walk Strong which
supports children with cancer.

Brumbies CEO Michael Jones is excited to retain one of his key backs for another
three seasons.

“Henry is one of our most reliable players week in week out,” Jones
said.

“Henry is not only a great rugby player but also a great supporter of
the local community, which is one of the reasons the fans love him here in Canberra.

“Recently, Henry volunteered to support our holiday clinic for local
kids here at Brumbies HQ.

“He’s an asset for the club both on and off the field and we are
very excited to have staying with the club for another three years.”

Brumbies Head Coach Stephen Larkham said he is delighted to have one of his
key players on board until 2018.

“He has proved his work, he has shown his quality in the big games and
he always delivers,” Larkham said.

“Off the field, Henry is one of the most popular guys in our club and
it’s not just because he takes time to thank fans after every home match.

“It’s because he is an unbelievable player both in attack and defence.

“We understand that he has an ambition to represent the Brumbies, Wallabies
and Australia at the Olympics and this new contract paves the way for that to
be possible.”