Brumbiesโข Forge Directโฃ Pathway for Emerging Talent with Three Recent โขSuper Rugby Pacific Signings
Canberra, ACT -โ The Brumbies are bolstering theirโ squad with a new wave of โขtalentโ identified through diverse development pathways, recently awarding Super Rugby Pacific contracts to Harvey โขCordukes, alongside othre emerging players.This strategy highlights the club’s commitment to nurturing local and internationally-experienced athletes, filling key โฃroster gaps left byโ departing players.
The Brumbies’ approach focuses on three distinct routes:โ domestic club rugby, international academy experiences, and portrayal at the australia U20s level. This multi-faceted systemโข ensures a steady pipeline of talent, addressing the challenges of player retention โขand succession planning within theโ competitive Super Rugby landscape. The recent signings demonstrate the โขsuccess of this model, โคproviding opportunities for young players to transition into โprofessional rugby.
Lock Harvey Cordukes, 21, exemplifies the benefits of international exposure. after representing Australia U20s at the World Championships in South Africa โขlast year, Cordukes spent time with Provence in France during the 2024/25 season on an academy contract.Brumbies coach โคStephen Larkham โขnoted the positive impact of this experience, stating, “That’sโ the beauty of rugby, you do get theseโค opportunities to travel the worldโ and play the game. So it was certainly a good experience forโค him over there and one โคwhere he would have learnt a lot.”
Upon returning to โcanberra, Cordukes played a key role in Uni-Norths Owls’โ first Johnโฃ I Dent Cup Premiership win since 1992.Larkham observed significant improvements in Cordukes’ skillset, notably his “catch pass skills,” adding, “Since โคHarvey’s come back, he’sโ shown huge improvements in that space.” Cordukes played in all of theโ Super Rugby AUSโ matches, demonstrating consistent growth throughout the โseason.
cordukes is poised toโ becomeโค a key secondโค rower for the Brumbies next year, filling the void left by Tom Hooper’s move overseas. He will partner with Nick Frost, Lachieโ Shaw, and Cadeyrn Neville in the second row. โคLarkham emphasized Cordukes’ potential, saying, “He’s a bigโข body and he’s got a lot โof potential. It’s hard to find big bodies who’ve got rugby skill andโฃ he’s one of those guys. The โคlonger he stays โin our program now, he’ll go from strength โขto strength.” He is currently gaining โfurther experience with an prospect in Hongโ Kong this weekend.
