Brumbies re-sign Wallabies forwards trio

A former coalminer, a country boy and a Japanese tsunami survivor.

Wallabies forward Scott Fardy admits he, Josh Mann-Rea and Sam Carter make an unlikely Test trio – but that’s one of his key reasons behind their decision to re-sign with the Brumbies until the end of 2017.

Carter and Fardy have also both secured two-year contract extensions with the ARU.

However Mann-Rea, who was called into the Test side last year as the ninth-string hooker following an injury crisis, has only re-signed with the Brumbies.

Fardy joined the Brumbies in 2012 after the 2011 Tohoku tsunami destroyed half the Japanese village he was living in while playing for the Kamaishi Seawaves.

Fortunately for Fardy, he was living at the safe end of the village, however 1300 other Kamaishi residents weren’t so lucky and lost their lives.

After volunteering in the recovery efforts and finishing off the season, Fardy had another go at cracking Super Rugby.

He’s since struck up a strong friendship with young Wallabies lock and country boy Carter, whose dad and former Wallaby David runs a big cattle, sheep and grain farm out in Quirindi, NSW.

Mann-Rea on the otherhand gave up rugby in 2007 to spend a few years working 500 metres underground in the Illawarra coalmines to provide for his family – before also giving rugby another crack.

Fardy admits they’re an odd bunch, but he wouldn’t prefer to be around any other group.

“Every bloke in this squad is a bit random, we’re all from different parts of the world,” Fardy said.

“That’s what makes us a great team and environment.

“You have breakfast with a Fijian, lunch with a bloke from the country, and dinner with a coalminer.”

Fardy and Carter’s signature is a huge boost the Wallabies.

With the 2015 Rugby World Cup in September, more and more Wallabies are looking to spend the 2016 and 2017 seasons with lucrative deals in Europe and Japan before making their next run at the 2019 World Cup.

Carter, the Wallabies 2014 Rookie of the Year, has spoken to Fardy about his experience playing overseas compared to the pride of playing for your country.

“We’ve seen a few blokes going overseas in the last couple of years,” Carter said.

“But the big one is the chance to play for your country. That’s a major tick in any box. Any kid growing up wants to play at the highest level.

“It’s one of the main motivators for myself.”

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