The CA Technologies Brumbies have signed Queensland young guns Ian Prior and Kimami Sitauti (Pron. Key-mah-me Si-tow-tee) to two-year deals, shoring up the team’s scrumhalf and outside backs stocks moving into 2012.
Both players were a part of the Reds squad this year – Sitauti taking his place on the bench during their Week 11 clash with the Hurricanes, while Prior accumulated six caps after finding himself on the pine on 11 occasions.
Prior’s sharp passing game and electric pace have him earmarked as a player of the future.
The 20-year-old has perfected his trade over the last year behind Wallabies scrumhalf Will Genia. He will be in a two-way battle with Nic White to secure the CA Technologies Brumbies No 9 jumper in 2012.
“I spoke to Jake [White] earlier in the negotiations and he let me know this was an opportunity for me to be in and around the 22 week in, week out,” Prior said.
“He was really excited about the new culture we were going to form and the chance to be part of such a young and up-coming group. I was really pumped about that.
“I see my move to the Brumbies as an opportunity to further my rugby. Working with champions like George Gregan and Stephen Larkham can only make me a better player.”
Sitauti recently returned to Australia from a successful stint with the Australian Under 20’s in Italy where he was a solid performer on the wing.
Having come through the Australian aged-grade ranks with several other CA Technologies Brumbies players, Sitauti said he was looking forward to getting to the ACT and reinforcing those combinations.
“It’s a fresh start for me, coming down to Canberra and to the Brumbies. I really can’t wait to get there and start the ball rolling,” Sitauti said.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some of the younger guys there like Michael Hooper, Colby Faingaa and Robbie Coleman – we’ve played together at the Sevens and with the Under 20’s and had some positive combinations working there.
“I’m pretty close with Robbie – we roomed together a few times and with him playing 12 and me at 13 for the 20’s we have always had a lot of fun on and off the field.”
Ian Prior
POS Scrumhalf
DOB 21/8/1990, Bundaberg
H/W 1.78m, 85kg
School Ormiston College, Brisbane
SR Caps 6
Kimami Sitauti (Pron. Key-mah-me Si-tow-tee)
POS Outside backs
DOB 12/4/1991, Sydney
H/W 1.85m, 95kg
School Nudgee College
SR Caps 0
