After making his Plus500 Brumbies debut in 2021, Brumbies pathways loosehead prop Fred Kaihea has been promoted to the club’s Super Rugby squad for the 2022 season.
The Queanbeyan White’s product was called in as injury cover during the Brumbies Super Rugby AU campaign this year, becoming Brumby 233 against the Western Force in round six at GIO Stadium.
2021 is Kaihea’s fifth season playing first grade for the Whites in the Callida Consulting John I Dent Cup, the 22-year-old having burst onto the scene straight out of Erindale College.
Kaihea was part of the ACT's National Title winning team in 2017, and has represented the Brumbies at U16 and U20 level, playing alongside current Brumbies Darcy Swain, Len Ikitau and Ryan Lonergan as a 17-year-old.
Plus500 Brumbies loosehead prop Fred Kaihea said: “I’m extremely proud to be joining the Brumbies Super Rugby squad, full-time.”
“Living out my dream last season, getting to play Super Rugby was an incredible moment for me and my friends and family, and it only made me want to work harder to continue to pursue that dream.
“The Brumbies have supported me, pushed me to be better and they have shown a lot of faith in me, and my job is to repay that by improving everyday working with the world class props and coaches we have at the club.
“I also want to thank my family and friends at Queanbeyan Whites who have been incredibly supportive over the years, and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Kaihea has steadily grown a reputation in Queanbeyan colours for his remarkable athleticism and power, something which was on show in his Super Rugby debut, where the prop was tasked with initially coming on in the backrow.
Plus500 Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar said: “We’re all delighted for Freddy and how far he has come to get to this point. “
“We threw him in the deep end last season, but we were confident in him off the back of the work he had done with the group through preseason and he performed well.
“Freddy has unique ability around the park for his position, a real point of difference in his ball carry and in the contact area, and continues to develop in his chore skills, his set-piece.
“He’s a very likeable kid, his teammates care for him and his journey makes this another one of those great Brumbies stories where someone earns a chance to live out their dream in the professional game.”
"A special mention must go to the Queanbeyan Whites for the role they have played in Fred's development as well."
