Brumbies sign former Force hooker Abel

Canberra Super Rugby franchise the Brumbies have added former Western Force hooker Robbie Abel to their Extended Playing Squad (EPS) for 2016.

Abel will link with the Brumbies following a number of standout performances for the University of Canberra Vikings throughout the recent Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC).

Abel played in all 10 of the UC Vikings matches in 2015, including the grand final loss to Brisbane City.

He scored two tries and started nine matches, he also played a huge role in helping the UC Vikings forward pack dominate much of the competition with set-piece plays.

The 26-year old is a former Brumbies Academy player and was a standout junior during his days with St Edmunds College in the ACT, forcing his way into the Australian Schoolboys side in 2008.

The Canberra Royals product took a two-year hiatus from rugby in 2010 and 2011 to undertake his Mormon mission in Western Australia, before returning to join the Brumbies Academy in 2012 and playing for Northland in the ITM Cup in 2013.

Abel comes from a talented family, his father and a number of his uncles also played for Northland in New Zealand’s domestic competition.

He played for the Perth Spirit in last year’s NRC after being picked up by the Western Force (EPS) for the 2014 and 2015 Super Rugby seasons. He did not play any Super Rugby matches in his two years with the Force.

The Griffith Blacks junior is over the moon to be joining the Brumbies.

“I’ve supported the Brumbies since I was a kid and to now have the opportunity to link with this club at a senior level is a dream come true,” Abel said.

“I enjoyed every second of my time with the UC Vikings in the NRC.

“To be staying in Canberra to train with and learn from Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore and Josh Mann-Rea will really help me develop as a player.”

Abel will join the Brumbies for pre-season training when it begins on Friday.